| Author | |
Robin
Forum Pro
Joined: March 06 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 74
|
| Posted: Aug 20 2005 at 2:21pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
This year we're going through Ancient Rome/New Testament. I'm using Story of the Romans as a spine and adding in a lot of non-fiction books like the ones by Peter Connelly and lots of historical fiction. My boys read so often and so fast that we can never have too many books. I'm wondering about the Roman Mystery series by Caroline Lawrence. Are they good? And I'm also interested in hearing what anyone has to say about the game Catechumen.
Thanks so much!
__________________
Robin Dupre
"If we become what God intended for us to become, we will set the world on fire." ~ St. Catherine of Siena
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mrsgranola
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: North Carolina
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 442
|
| Posted: Aug 20 2005 at 2:44pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Rovin, I've never heard of that spine book before. I'm a bit wary of anything Veritas Press endorses, however. 
It sure looks good, though! Please let us know how you like it this year!
JoAnna
__________________
Mom to Jacob, Grace, Mary, Lucas, Emma, Carrie and Gianna
Parente Adventures
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Robin
Forum Pro
Joined: March 06 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 74
|
| Posted: Aug 20 2005 at 3:54pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I used Story of the Greeks last year and we liked it alot. If you're wary of the protestant view point, there's no need to be with these books because they're ancient history... I don't think I'll use Story of the Middle Ages though.
__________________
Robin Dupre
"If we become what God intended for us to become, we will set the world on fire." ~ St. Catherine of Siena
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Karen T
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 16 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 927
|
| Posted: Aug 20 2005 at 10:44pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We were just finishing up last spring with the BC Romans, and are now doing the life of Jesus and then early Church history which encompasses the Romans. I have Famous Men of Rome and will pull a few things out of it. I use Reading your Way Through History as my main list, adding in others (we don't read all of them either; some are a bit advanced for my 12 yo) He read all of Mark last year and is finishing up Matthew now, so we'll use Acts of the Apostles next.
I did get The Old World and America by Fr. Furlong to use also (I'm selling my SOTW, can't stand it) I've only skimmed it so far and like what is in there, but it's pretty superficial. It seems to be written for a younger audience than middle school, but it will help us stay chronological and some of the questions at the end of each chapter for further thought are pretty good.
I haven't seen the Story of the Romans or the Roman mysteries myself.
Oh, I just finished reading The Spear (deWohl) myself, intending to use it. It was fabulous, but I decided not to have ds read it this year. Most of it was fine, but there are a couple scenes I think are better for older kids.
Karen T
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Robin
Forum Pro
Joined: March 06 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 74
|
| Posted: Aug 20 2005 at 11:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Karen T wrote:
I just finished reading The Spear (deWohl) myself, intending to use it. It was fabulous, but I decided not to have ds read it this year. Most of it was fine, but there are a couple scenes I think are better for older kids.
Karen T |
|
|
Karen, was it violence of some sort or some other inappropriate matter that made you decide not to use it? I have this one and was planning on reading it aloud.
__________________
Robin Dupre
"If we become what God intended for us to become, we will set the world on fire." ~ St. Catherine of Siena
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Karen T
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 16 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 927
|
| Posted: Aug 21 2005 at 12:44am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Robin wrote:
Karen, was it violence of some sort or some other inappropriate matter that made you decide not to use it? I have this one and was planning on reading it aloud. |
|
|
It wasn't the violence, although there are a couple murders esp. at the beginning. But they were just mentioned without a lot of graphic details (except for one scene in the coliseum but it's nothing compared to even the tamest video games these days)
The main reason I decided to pass on it this go-round was that Cassius, the man who later spears Christ after his death, is trying to help save this Jewish woman and they have to hide out in a cellar overnight. He realizes he loves her and sort of forces himself on her. She does acquiesce after awhile, so it's not rape, but at first she is protesting and he just goes ahead. Also, even though there are no details given, it's obvious there is more than a kiss, and in fact she is tried for adultery by the Jews. Sorry to give away some of the plot (it's a minor part IMO) but it was hard to explain it otherwise. I'm probably too over-protective of ds (he's the oldest); I'd love to hear from others who have read it, and at what age they'd let their kid read it. If you're reading aloud I think you could skip over it, but you'll need to read ahead to understand how the plot changes and what to do about it.
I had recently asked about deWohl's book on St. Benedict and someone else said there was a scene or two unsuitable for a 12 yo, so I'm guessing his books are written for a similar age, prob. high school and up. I did buy that book anyway, for me to read, and got the Windeatt book for ds on Benedict.
Karen T
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Willa
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3881
|
| Posted: Aug 21 2005 at 10:49am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Karen,
I agree with you on The Spear -- I usually wait till high school to give Louis Wohl books to my dc.
My 11yo liked the Roman Mysteries. I have never heard anything bad about them -- they apparently contain some mild gruesomeness according to my son's narrations.... sort of like Redwall if you've read those.
DH played Catechumen a bit -- I can't remember what he said about it but I'll ask.
__________________
AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: April 23 2008 at 6:04am | IP Logged
|
|
|
My night to bring up old threads 
Do you think it would be overkill to have both Famous Men of Rome by Haaran and Poland and The Story of Rome by Guerber.
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: April 23 2008 at 4:21pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Robin wrote:
I'm wondering about the Roman Mystery series by Caroline Lawrence. Are they good?
|
|
|
I've just been looking at these at Amazon. They are set after Christ which is great as I'm after Early church period books; can anyone tell me the quality of writing in this series? Is it say nearly as meaty as the Bethlehem books, or is it much lighter?
TIA.
ETA: How many are in the series?
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
10 Bright Stars
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 728
|
| Posted: April 24 2008 at 1:44pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I would be interested in learning more about what you all have discovered in this area too.
__________________
Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: Anyone studying Ancient Rome?
