The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child; Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor Paperback – January 1, 2001

I am giving this book five stars because this book, in combination with the other three, is a spectacularly good course in elementary history. I can't think of another course for homeschooling or afterschooling that comes close to this one. I was the teacher, and I learned as much or more than the kids did.That being said, a note has to be made with the first book. There were some points in the first book that did not jive with my particular religious beliefs. Much of the early history of the world comes from myths and legends instead of written records, so there is a lot of emotional disagreement on what is accurate, especially when you start dealing with creationism and evolution, etc. So what's a poor parent to do?Read the lesson beforehand, and make sure you explain to your children what it is that you believe to be true, and let them know that other people feel differently on some points.Much of early history also concerns the history of the different religions of the world. Inescapable...we are not public school, we are homeschoolers...facing the fact that our religion isn't the only one in the world. Let the children know there are others. Tell them why you worship the way you do, and why other people worship in their way.I found this book, and the others in the series, to be invaluable. Don't try to do everything in the activity books - just what you can - and the kids love it!

The individuals who gave this a less than great review do not seem to understand the purpose of this book. It is meant for 1-6 grade, and the book is meant to be used with a teacher's (parent's) guidance. It comes with a study guide which gives recommended fiction and non-fiction reading for each chapter. Every chapter is an overview of a period of history. It goes in chronological order. She covers all areas of ancient history, from West to East, and includes biblical events, as well, which I loved. There is no better source for elementary school students. You must get the study guide with it if you really want your history learning to be meaningful. The study guide comes with hands-on activities also to do in each chapter.If you read her book, The Well-Trained Mind, you will understand how to best utilize this book to teach history to the classically-trained child. The chapters are written in simple to understand language for young students, and she tones down some of the more gruesome realities of the many wars and other events that have shaped out society to make them presentable to 7-10 year olds.

My seven year old daughter has enjoyed this history curriculum tremendously! We included biographical stories in our reading before buying this curriculum, but she never showed as much interest and enthusiasm as she does now. We use the Usborne Book of World History along with Ms. Bauer's materials. The combination of Ms. Bauer's engaging and age appropriate writing and the fascinating illustrations and orderly, appealling arrangement of the Usborne book has my daughter hooked. I believe the coherency of presenting history chronologically from the beginning of time has had a major effect on her interest level as well. She greatly enjoys the activity book as well. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Ms. Bauer, continue the series for the rest of grammar stage history and science! I would like to see a history and science curriculum for the other stages from you as well, eventually.

We first checked this book out from our public library but were disappointed to have to return it! We were SO excited to find it- along with three other volumes- for sale on the internet! Our 8 year old daughter is dyslexic and we needed something that we could read aloud to here that would engage her. This is her first taste of history and it is now her FAVORITE subject. The text draws her in by making her an active part of the narrative by asking her thoughtful questions and getting her to participate. She now requests this book for her "reading aloud time" and can't seem to get enough. We are looking forward to getting to the Medieval volume very much (my husband and I are HUGE fans of that period!). It really is very entertaining for the student and the teacher! The only real drawback that I have is that it treats Christianity as matter-of-fact and most of the other beliefs as "legend and lore"...religious beliefs are a part of history and they shape cultures however the narrative is very confusing and awkward and doesn't draw any lines between the "real history" and the legends that were handed down. On the whole though, it is an introduction for a young child and since it is meant to be read aloud, the parent is there to help steer the child in the way of the family's own personal belief structure. We are a Christian family, but I am sensitive to the fact that this book's views on the matter could turn away a lot of people, assuming that the supernatural parts of the Bible really did happen, as they are written, as true history. My high rating is due mostly to the appeal it has to our daughter...getting her to pay attention to anything to do with "learning" is a task! It is truly an engaging book for young children. We are looking forward to the next three books!

I am a homeschooler, and I started out using those history encyclopedias from Kingfisher, etc. But those either present the information in a disjointed way or assume that the reader knows more than the average elementary-age child. My kids (8 and 10) HATED history. Then I started using this series, and they beg me to read it! Story is told conversationally, in language the kids easily understand. I've learned loads. The only criticism I have is that Biblical history is presented as literal history even in places where the archaeological evidence contradicts the Biblical account. (Such as the Hebrews being slaves in Egypt and the lineage of Abraham through Jacob.)

I am home educating my children and first learned of this book through 'Well Trained Mind". It is designed for use with children aged about 6 (American first grade). The book is a chronological, narrative account of History from the first nomads through to the last Roman emporer. There are a few black and white line illustrations - so not exactly Dorling Kindersley and there are lots of questions contained in the narrative so that it sounds a bit like a Witness study text but apart from that is very engaging and makes sense of the rather fragmentary history studied in UK primary schools. The book is supposed to be used as the basis for a history curriculum supported by other texts (Kingfisher, Usborne), blackline maps and an activity book. Many of my peers have complained to me that they have an incomplete picture of the chronology of history. With this book you can learn (along with your child) how all the pieces fit together.