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

We have used this product this year. I have a 5 and 10 year old. They both get a lot of this course. We also use it in our homeschool group to add to the learning experience. It is highly recommended!

My kids (ages 5-11) request that I turn on "The STORY!" as soon as the car is moving. When the children have friends along, they later ask what the cd was called and how they can get a copy. Long car trip? No problem: no movie, no squabbling, just silence and then comments and questions. The overview of world history in this series has helped me, as an adult, gain a perspective on the sweep of world events that I never gained in my own history-weighted education. The series leads the children to find themes and lessons from history, which they relate to current events and geography. I highly reccommend Bauer's cds. Rather than an in-depth study, I consider the stories a substantial taste to encourage us to do further research on our own. Even the slightly weaker inclusion of Asian history is much more in-depth than any other American program I've come across. This in itself leads to discussion... The audio program could benefit from some consultation on correct pronunciation of some Asian words (eg: Korean "Paekchae"), but most people won't notice, and if they do, likely know the correct pronunciation anyway. I would like to hear more dates in this volume, especially when the stories cross from one part of the world to another. The first volume gave dates at the end of each chapter, which was helpful in relating events. All-in-all this series has given us all a context and timeline for the rest of history as we learn about it. It has given the kids an enthusiasm for history and interest in the world that is a joy. My 10-year-old insists on adding a comment: I,one of the kids,highly love the story of the world because hypothetically I was a bad student in history ,but now I love history. It's really fun-- it's like listening to campfire stories at summer camp. Now that's really fun. Everybody loves it in the car. It's like a spell to us.

This is read by Jim Weiss instead of Barbara Johnson. In my mind, this is neither positive nor negative- I love them both. Jim is wonderful, and the material is perfect for him. Barbara did a spectacular job on the first two cd sets and we love her too. I can't review the books, as I chose to buy the cds instead. So any review of the material would best be found in the book reviews. Anyone worried about appropriatness, or looking to find what subjects are covered would be advised to check the various book reviews. My kids love all three of these cd sets. We listen to them in the car, and we are all learning more history than I was ever taught in school. And, it's more fun. These may just be a taste of everything, but it's well planned and well put together. This will form a wonderful framework for filling in as the childrem get older. And, sad to say, but it's the truth- if this is all the history and child gets, they will still be far ahead of the majority of children taught in the US. Which, is a very serious statement- this is history at a level a 6 year older can relate to. And, we as adults have, for the most part, not even been taught most of this. The material is not dumbed down, but it is age appropriate (I'd say 6 on up, because as an adult, I still find it fascinating). The gore is minimized (but not completely glossed over) and there is nothing sexual. Let's just say that sex as a motivation will be one of the blanks they can fill in later. I love the cd format because it is fun for the whole family, and makes driving more pleasant. The kids beg to hear this (all 3 of the sets) and we are all amused and learning at the same time.

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.