McGuffey's First Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition [Hardcover]

William Holmes McGuffey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 1997

Since 1836, children have been delighted by these volumes filled with exotic adventures, exciting tales, beautiful poems, and funny fables. The First Eclectic Reader includes stories, word lists, and phonics charts.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: American Book Company; Revised edition (November 11, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471288896
• ISBN-13: 978-0471288893
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The way to teach reading - if it isn't broken, don't fix it, September 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: McGuffey's First Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition (Hardcover)

I work in a public high school where many of the middle school students enter freshman year incapable of reading a simple sentence!! This is the legacy of whole language, untested reading theories, radical education ideas, and an environment that is more concerned (out of necessity because no one is disciplining) with behavior problems than with actually educating students. After trying out a number of materials provided by the school district which didn't do the job, I have been secretly using these readers with good success. What they don't know won't hurt them (the district) and will help the students (who are finally learning to read at age 15 and 16!).
Think about it: when these readers were used, we had one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Now (with all of the crazy reading approaches out there) we have one of the lowest in the Western world.
Some complain that these readers are not "multi-cultural" enough. Excuse me? Since when are the fables of Aesop, nursery rhymes, and classic poetry considered bad for our children? I have found that my students thoroughly enjoy these and I have yet to hear my students complain that they are boring or "mono-cultural". It is always the nuts in the school system who ruin everything.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Success Through McGuffy, October 13, 2000

By 

Bob White (Savannah, GA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: McGuffey's First Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition (Hardcover)

I was first introduced to these astounding books by accident. While browsing through the campus bookstore I noticed this wonderful book and purchased it for my newborn son's later use. When he turned three I started reading to him from this book and in a very short time he was beginning to pick up the pronounciation, and could follow the story lines. This was sixteen years ago. My son is now in college, doing quite well, and using a partial scholarsip he recieved for achademic excellence. Throughout his school career he was lauded for his outstanding reading ability. His ability can be traced directly back to McGuffy. I strongly recommend this book and the others in this set to any parent who wants to take part in opening the world of reading to their children.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reader or copybook, June 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: McGuffey's First Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition (Hardcover)

The Revised McGuffey's series is an excellent tool for developing reading comprehension, and because the stories are also short, they can be used as copybook exercises for improving handwriting skills. Includes many examples of beautiful 19th century artwork. Also, these hardcover textbooks are an extremely good value when you consider what you are getting.