Children's History of the 20th Century (DK Millennium) (Hardcover)

~ DK Publishing (Author)
Key Phrases: United States, New York, Soviet Union (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

At the dawn of the 20th century, a man named L. Frank Baum had just written a story about a magical land called Oz, and the Wright brothers had made the first powered flight. On the eve of the 21st century, the world is connected via the Internet, and the Spice Girls mingle with Nelson Mandela. In the intervening years the world has undergone countless dramatic changes and discoveries. Written with children in mind, this unusual, compelling volume fills in as many of the gaps as possible, revealing in journalistic articles the events that altered the course of history. Headlines from "Australia Gains Its Independence" to "Prague Is Invaded" to "King Dies, but Dream Lives On" add a sense of immediacy to past events. This comprehensive historical resource uses photos, time line panels, and special features (the Russian Revolution, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, the Space Race, etc.) to unfold, year by year, the century's triumphs and defeats. In caption-style quotations interwoven throughout, children reveal their hopes for the future and memories of the past.

Beautifully designed and thoroughly researched, this big history book is a far cry from the textbooks of elementary school. Granted, it doesn't delve deeply into any one subject, but it touches thoughtfully on thousands of important topics, giving a sweeping overview of the 20th century's events, people, places, trends, and inventions. With more than 3,500 photographs and lively, dramatic writing, this addictive book truly brings history to life. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-A wonderful browsing book packed with photos. Short journalistic articles on double-page spreads cover a few important political and cultural events for each year up to 1998. Three bands along the bottom of the spreads representing "Innovations," "Entertainment," and "World Events" briefly note other milestones. The book ends with six two-page overviews of famous figures (movie stars, scientists and inventors, athletes, world leaders, music makers, and criminals). While it will be relatively useless to anyone researching a topic, this sleek coffee-table book will definitely entertain students curious about life during the century. The only real problem is that the index doesn't list all of the gems (Afros, 3-D movies, dried eggs) that give the book its real charm. Concluding spreads on "The US Government" and "Culture & Sports" just cover the basics. Certainly there are items missing from this entertaining cornucopia (there are no lists of the top movies, Oscar winners, or best-selling novels), but browsing it is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. It might also be useful for those American-history assignments on how people lived during the different decades.
Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 344 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN (September 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789447223
• ISBN-13: 978-0789447227
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #90,277 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good & enjoyable overview of the 20th Century, August 30, 2005

By	Homeschooling Mother of 4 (North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews

I bought this book for my 13yo son as a supplement to his 8th grade history. He ended up reading almost the whole book the first day it arrived, even though I planned to use it for several weeks. Since then, he has reread several sections, and really enjoys it.

There is a lot of information in this book (as might be expected from a DK book.) Each year has at least a 2 page spread with lots of pictures and around 4 short articles. (These articles are interesting enough that not only my 11 & 13yo sons have read them, but I also was quite interested by many of them.) In addition, there is a short box at the bottom of the pages for the year with short headlines for other important events of the year, in medicine, sports, politics, entertainment, etc. Many years have 4-6 pages dedicated to them, instead of only 2.

There are also introductory pages with features like what children of the past thought the late 20th/early 21st century would be like, what modern day children think are the best and worst things about the past century, children's thoughts and hopes for the 21st century, etc.

Overall, this book is an excellent starting point for any child or teen wanting to know more about the 20th century. It is even a pretty good starting point for adults. (Teens and adults will want to find more books or other sources to learn more about their favorite eras/topics, however.)

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lively and Entertaining, October 21, 1999

By A Customer

This is a beautifully designed book and will take readers on a lively and entertaining journey through the 20th century's events. Details are scant, but the photos make for a scrapbook effect. If you enjoy this book, then you should also look at Larry Dane Brimner's millennium book, The Official M&M's Book of the Millennium, which explains how we got to this point in time.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent history of modern times for young readers., July 14, 2000

By A Customer

Ages 8 and older will appreciate Children's History Of The 20thCentury, a fine reference which deserves ongoing recommendation as anexcellent history of modern times. Bright contemporary color photos blend with a timeline of 20th century leaders, events, and history in an exceptional coverage.