Customer Reviews

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 3: Early Modern Times

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Volume three arrived in the mail last week, and I read it in two sittings. It follows the same approach as the first two volumes. The author, Susan Wise Bauer, has targeted this book at young children. It is a great book for thoughtful children. Like the first two books, volume three is written in such a way that it is both entertaining and informative.

Most of the other history books I've read have been very United States focused or European centric. Volume three covers every part of the world. You learn what is happening in Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa, India, China, the rest of Asia, and down in Australia & New Zealand. The book covers the time period from about 1500 to 1850.

I am surprised by just how much content is in each page. Even though history is presented in an easy flowing story like format, the book is packed with information.

There are 42 chapters, each with a focus. The first chapter starts off with The Holy Roman Empire, and how Spain became so rich with all the gold and silver coming out of Central and South America. The book ends with the California Gold Rush in 1849 and does a brief overview of the current state of the world in 1849. In between the book covers topics like the Protestant Rebellion, Warlords of Japan, the Spread of Slavery, Plague in England, the Ottoman Empire, the colonies in the New World, Chi'en-lung's Library, the French Revolution, and lots of wars. The book also covers how technology was changing the world. After the 42 chapters there is a five page timeline to help the reader understand when key events happened relative to other key events.

The book doesn't pull any punches. For example in the very first chapter, while talking about all the gold and silver Spain was getting from the New World, we're shown the living conditions of young children working down in the mines. The book doesn't go into graphic detail, but it does mention the warts of history, times and places where evil things happened.

To be well rounded and truly educated children need to have a solid understanding of where civilization has been over the last five thousand years. These "Story of the World" books are a good starting point.

This is a great way for young children to learn history. If you enjoyed the first two, you will enjoy volume three.

We love these books! We couldn't wait till this latest book in the series came out. This book, like the previous ones, is a history written like a story. Each chapter (topic) is connected to the next and covers history as it happened all over the world. (This one, #3, covers from about 1500- 1850). I purchased a book for my 10 year old to help him learn history. When history is told in story format so much more is absorbed and remembered later, as well as being more engaging reading. He loves history now. I ended up buying one for his older brother, as well, because he was always borrowing his brothers book. When my 70 year old father came to town (a lover of history)- he picked up the Story World and read the whole thing! He said it was very well written and he mentioned that he was impressed by how straight forward and unbaised it was. I remember so little about what I studied in history as a child, but I know it will be different for my kids -because of "The story of the World". I catch my son sneaking in a few chapters when he is suppose to be doing other things...but I can't get too mad- he's wanting to read History! My youngest son (3rd grade) just started reading this Story World book for himself and he shows the same enthusiasm. I think this book and others in the series are excellent for all ages to learn and develop a love of history. (I am enjoying them now, myself, and maybe my knowledge will eventually catch up to what my kids have learned!) A great choice. I say, to a fantastic writer and educator... Thanks!!! to Susan Bauer for writing these books and sparking a great love and new hobby in our family. Jean in Ohio

Like the previous two volumes, we enjoyed SOTW Vol. 3. It is written in an interesting and engaging style. My younger children enjoyed it as much as my third grader. Susan Wise Bauer does a good job handling some rather difficult and unpleasant parts of History. She did choose to leave out a couple of topics, but explains her reasons at the beginning. My only complaint is the lack of church history that is covered. (There seems to be a decreasing amount of church history covered in each successive volume.)

This is our second purchase of the Story of the World series. All three of my school age kids (6,8,10 yrs.) just love to listen to these tapes. It is giving all of us (mom included) a much more comprehensive picture of all the parts of history we have learned with other books. We highly recommend this product for your family as a history program or just for listening to in the car for fun. The acitvity book is also full of great ideas for making this as involved or as simple as you would like it to be.

I bought this book for my 8 year-old daughter for her birthday because she really enjoyed the first one (Ancient Times). She read it quickly and thought it was well-written and that the selected historical topics were very interesting. She has told her two younger siblings stories from the book on car rides, in her own words, and they wanted me to read it to them last night for bedtime. She also requested the two other ones so I have purchased the third book for a prize when she gets 10 points for doing things around the house and for doing nice things for her siblings.

If you see yourself sitting with your children, curled up, all looking up at you as you read, then this is the book for you. The Story of the World is a classical adventure of real life history presented in easy to understand stories. After every story,there are projects you can do in the activity book with your children along with other recommended books you can use with it. I homeschool four children, and this is a great history you can present to all ages. I love the coloring pages and ideas that the author gives. If you love unit studies and multi-level teaching...then you will love Story of the World.
The Story of the World Activity Book Three: Early Modern Times, The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 3: Early Modern Times, Story of the World Volume 1 SET of 2--Book and Activity BookThe Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance (Second Revised Edition) (Vol. 2) (Story of the World), The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Activity Book 2: The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance

Bought this for my kids and I am enjoying it, too. Very easy to read and understand.

There is no doubt that this series is well written. My son read each of the four books in the span of less than a week. They really piqued his interest. These books will let you know what really turns on your child, but you'll need to go on for further, more in-depth review.

Can't recommend this series enough for the pre-teen set!

We have just finished Volume Three and we really enjoyed it. As an adult I have learnt so much and regret that I never had this in childhood, but at least my children will! This version is a little scarier and bloodier, so best for age 10 and over. The French Revolution's descriptions were a little too much, and the second time reading it, we skipped that story.

Of the three volumes so far, I think the second one has been the best. We are going to start the fourth volume in January and we're really looking forward to it.

Overall, you can't beat this series. Buy the workbooks to go along with them for more info and activities.

My kids love this book a lot and so I have ordered the whole series. They all enjoy the reading.