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

~ (Author) "Imagine that you're a world traveler in the year 1600..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, North America, South America (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This read-aloud series is designed for parents to share with elementary-school children. Enjoy it together and introduce your child to the marvelous story of the world's civilizations.

Now more than ever, other cultures are affecting our everyday lives—and our children need to learn about the other countries of the world and their history.

Susan Wise Bauer has provided a captivating guide to the history of other lands. Written in an engaging, straightforward manner, The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child; Volume 3: Early Modern Times weaves world history into a story book format. Who was the Sun King? Why did the Luddites go around England smashing machines? And how did samurai become sumo wrestlers?

The Story of the World covers the sweep of human history from ancient times until the present. Africa, China, Europe, the Americas—find out what happened all around the world in long-ago times. Designed as a read-aloud project for parents and children to share together, The Story of the World includes each continent and major people group. Volume 3: Early Modern Times is the third of a four volume series and covers the major historical events in the years 1600 to 1850, as well as including maps, illustrations, and tales from each culture.

About the Author

Susan Wise Bauer is a novelist and educator. She is the author of The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had and the co-author of The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home. She teaches at the College of William & Mary.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Peace Hill Press; 1ST edition (April 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971412995
• ISBN-13: 978-0971412996
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,169 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Continuing in the same great tradition, May 13, 2004

By	Henry Cate III (CA. United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Story of the World, Volume 3: Early Modern Times, November 29, 2004

By	CTR Mom "Jean" (OH, USA) - See all my reviews

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

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another good read!!, October 3, 2005

By	Karen J. Morton (Burnsville, MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.)