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Erin
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| Posted: Jan 09 2009 at 2:51pm | IP Logged
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I'm looking at using a World History book this year; a spine, a framework to hang our living fiction books on. There are so many choices out there so I was hoping you could help me choose. The ages of my dc are 15,13,11,9 and 7. The older three can read independently if you think the books don't cover all age groups.
If there is another book not on my list that you'd prefer to recommend please do 
H E Marshall's books.
Susan Wise Bauer's Story of the World
VM Hillyer's Child's History of the World
HE Gombrich's Little History of the World
Story of Mankind by Van Loom
Many thanks.
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Erin
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Kristie 4
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I think each one of these books has it's obvious strengths and weaknesses.
HE Marshall- Our Island Story would be focusing on British history but it is very accessible and we read about half of it while studying the MA and the kids loved it
Story of the World- I don't want to like this book. I have issues with the 'intensity' of TWTM but my kids do tend to like these books. My problem with them is that they are a cursory study, but they cover so many different areas they tend to take a while to read without being very deep. They would be very accessible to your whole crowd but might be young feeling to your olders. She also simplifies some of the historical content which can be annoying for older students.
Hillyer's Book- This is a great overview and not too deep so that you have time to add in lots of great living books. Once again he can simplify some topics which may annoy older students.
Gombrich- my oldest son, 13, is reading this this year and really enjoying it. I think it complements Hillyer's book as it is a quick summary but aimed at the older ages.
Story of Mankind- didn't like it. Too many things needed to be changed to make it appropriate for us. Too much of his personal opinion.
Wow, too much information I am sure. But it helped me as we have been looking at this alot lately. I want to go deeper on some topics and just summarize other ones and so I have been trying to decide on which spine would help us pull that together.
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Erin
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Kristie
Not too much information at all, its just what I wanted 
Well I'm planning on using MA as my springboard this year and Van Loom was on the list and I had heard it was not the best so I needed help.
So now I'm wondering whether I should buy Hillyer and Gombrich for my two different 'groups'. Do you think Gombrich is challenging enough for a 15yr old?
Then again Marshall sounds fine too, although am I correct in assuming more for the younger children?
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: Jan 09 2009 at 6:42pm | IP Logged
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I don't think Marshall is only aimed at the younger crowd, much of the history is interesting to all ages- but it is not a totally indepth study.
Check it out at the Baldwin Project...
Our Island Story
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Kristie in Canada
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Kristie 4
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Oh, and I think the Little History would be fine for a 15yo, but it is an overview.
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Kristie in Canada
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TracyQ
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I've just written up and discerned our youngest daughter's high school plan to begin next year. We've decided on Sonlight for high school for her (minus one year when we'll do MODG American Govt and Economics).
We're using the Alt7 World History Core for her for 9th grade history, when she'll be 14yo, and it uses A Child's History of the World by Hillyer for its' spine (with all of the wonderful books besides that). We've already used that book, and I sold it. I decided I wanted to use something a bit more geared to her age as our overview spine with this core, and someone recommended the Gombrich and Van Loom books to me when I asked.
I decided we're going to use Gombrich's A Little History of the World after looking at both of them a bit at Amazon.com. I also got them from the library so that I can see them better before buying. The Van Loom book I have here now, and the other one is on order. You might want to check to see if your library has them before buying or ordering so you can see for yourself which ones would work better.
I'm pretty set on the Gombrich book for our spine, but really wanted to check them out better first to make a better informed decision. I would use our library copy, but seeing as it's being used the entire year, that won't be practical.
I hope this helps a bit.
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Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
 homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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vmalott
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Van Loon's The Story of Mankind is also at the Baldwin project. I believe the more recent editions that are for sale have some updates and additional chapter(s?) that were written by John Merriman.
FWIW, my 14yodd has enjoyed Marshall's The Story of Europe, but that only covers Medieval/Renaissance (with a hearty dose of Reformation near the end).
HTH,
Valerie
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VeronicaB
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What about Christ the King Lord of history, Anne W. Carrol published by TAN books? Does anyone use that? I'd say that'd be one for a 15 year old. Just dusting it off I find Anne Carrol founded Seton School - oh, not the Seton homeschool thing, this is a school in Virginia. This was aimed at freshman and sophomore years - is that after high school? Can you tell I'm new to this?
I read Christ the King Lord of History when I was in High School I'm pretty sure. I wasn't homeschooled but my mother loves books so there were plenty of things to read.
Veronica
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Topic: Which World History Book -Your Fav?
