4Real Forums: Van Loon-The Story of Mankind

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Across Time and Place
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Topic: Van Loon-The Story of Mankind

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Rebecca
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Posted: May 26 2007 at 2:39pm \| IP Logged

Has anyone used Van Loon's The Story of Mankind? How did you like it?

It is recommended for 6-7 grade world history on the Mater Amabilis website. I plan to use their curriculum next fall for my 11 year old son. An Amazon review said that the book addresses "gay rights". How is this topic addressed? I'd be grateful for any insight.

Thanks much!

Kristie 4
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Posted: May 28 2007 at 9:47pm \| IP Logged

Hi,
I read through the book a bit myself, online and from the library, because I also was going to hand it off to my then 11yob.

I found it to be less of a narrative and more of almost an exposition on the sweep of history. I was trying to read it with an 11 year old boy in mind

My son is enjoying Story of the Greeks and Story of Rome (both on the Baldwin Project and also AO picks), but I just didn't think he would catch some of the insights in the Story of Mankind.

Just my 2 cents

Kristie

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Kristie 4
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Posted: May 28 2007 at 9:48pm \| IP Logged

Oh yes, I didn't get to the gay rights chapter (didn't even think the book got to that point)....

Kristie

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Rebecca
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Posted: May 28 2007 at 10:07pm \| IP Logged

Thanks Kristie! I didn't realize it was available online. I will try to google and see if I can preview it a bit.

MicheleQ
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Posted: May 28 2007 at 11:21pm \| IP Logged

Rebecca wrote:

It is recommended for 6-7 grade world history on the Mater Amabilis website. I plan to use their curriculum next fall for my 11 year old son. An Amazon review said that the book addresses "gay rights". How is this topic addressed? I'd be grateful for any insight.

What?? I'd be interested to know this too. Looks like I need to get it out and go through it again because I am obviously missing something!

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Michele Quigley
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MicheleQ
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Posted: May 28 2007 at 11:36pm \| IP Logged

OK I think I found what they must be referring to:

Page 650 (and this is in the updated version - older versions won't have this)

"The AIDS virus, which causes a fatal, slow-developing disease that destroys the human immune system, was first observed in the early 1980s and was isolated by scientists in 1984. AIDS ravaged the Central African Republic and Zaire, but spared virtually no country. In the west, homosexuals were particularly vulnerable; but the disease also spread to the non-drug using heterosexual population. The announcement by professional basketball superstar magic Johnson in 1991 that he had contracted HIV and his subsequent retirement had the salutary effect of putting the disease in the public spotlight in the western world. Although many AIDS patients now live longer than before due to combinations of drugs that prolong their lives, no sure for the disease has yet been found."

Well it's a secular book so I'm not surprised but I don't think I would say this addresses "gay rights".

God bless!

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Michele Quigley
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Rebecca
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Posted: May 29 2007 at 9:54am \| IP Logged

Thanks for the quote Michele. Definitely doesn't address gay rights, just AIDS so I am not sure what they were referring to either. I just saw it on an amazon review and it made me take note.

Thanks again for checking into it. I think I will just skip that section since my kids don't know what homosexuality is yet.

God Bless,

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