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Mary's daughter
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| Posted: March 30 2011 at 12:42pm | IP Logged
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Has anyone used these as living books for history? Any thoughts?
Stephanie
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JennGM
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| Posted: March 30 2011 at 12:50pm | IP Logged
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I haven't used them. I have looked some over briefly, and they are very attractive. I have heard mention that there is anti-Catholic sentiment. I've read from others that even Augustus Caesar even has a "all religions are the same" kind of sentiment, but I don't have any specific examples.
That doesn't mean they are worthless, just letting you be aware of that.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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stellamaris
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| Posted: March 30 2011 at 4:29pm | IP Logged
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We've read Augustus Caesar's World (years ago) and The World of George Washington. They are done from a Judeo-Christian perspective with a general sort of "every religion is OK" viewpoint. I didn't have a problem with that, as we talked about the benefits of our faith as we discussed the other world religions mentioned (especially in Augustus Caesar). The books we read we will definitely use again; they were overall so interesting and so filled with historical and cultural information that I haven't found a substitute. I'd recommend either using them as read-alouds (which is what we do), so you can make corrective comments or even skip a few parts as you go along, or read them yourself along with your child so you can highlight any problematic parts in your book discussions. It's not as if the book is filled with these types of problems; maybe a few in each volume.
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Caroline
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Grace&Chaos
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My oldest dd read George Washington's World and is reading through Lincoln's World this year. She is enjoying it along side From Sea to Shining Sea. It has a global view of the time period and that's why it has been a good balance for FSTSS. The reading is perfect for her and she still enjoys the pictures/illustrations. I really don't require anything other than an oral narration from them. But I have seen people and dates from those books end up in her Book of Centuries  .
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Jenny
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SuzanneG
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I am looking at one of these for next year...and just requested them from the library....hopefully I'll have them in the next week or so.
Cathy Duffy had them listed in her Top 100 picks book.
Thanks Caroline and Jenny for describing how you used them.
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MaryM
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We have read Washington's World and Lincoln's World. They are well written and rich with historical information in an engaging, narrative style. I really enjoy the illustration style, too.
As with most secular or popular history books, there are concerns. They might not be overtly anti-Catholic, but more subtle negative comments or inaccuracies, as the books generally follow traditional Protestant world views of history or secular treatments (like Hakim). Both views are present and they aren't necessarily consistent between books - like the portrayal of the Spanish in the new world.
Christopher Columbus is the one I've particularly seen cautions about for Catholics (along with the Caesar). Stephanie, I recall you asking a few weeks ago specifically about the William Penn one. Sorry, I meant to comment there and didn't. So glad you started a new general thread since it seems we haven't ever really discussed Foster on 4 real before. I haven't read the William Penn one. I would wonder about that one as well and would definitely pre-read, due to the fact that because of who he was, religion and religious freedom will play heavily into that history.
I have seen suggestions to not use with younger children - at least 10 was the suggestion by some at Catholic History Place Yahoo group. It is suggested to pre-read in case anything is presented in a way you are not comfortable with. Then you could skip or use as opening to discussion any problematic areas.
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Mary M. in Denver
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Mary's daughter
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Thanks, everyone, for your replies. We have just finished William Penn's World and enjoyed it very much. I don't remember any anti-catholic sentiment. We are using these with From Sea to Shining Sea. I think it gives a good picture of all that is happening in the whole world. My son thinks the pictures are hilarious! 
We just started The World of Captain John Smith. There is a lot of anti-catholic stuff in this one. It's the time period of Queen Elizabeth and Mary Stuart. It has opened discussions about how history is written from the writer's worldview. I'm not sure if we will continue with this one.
Any suggestions on a book that discusses Queen Elizabeth and Mary Stuart from a more balanced view?
Stephanie
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MaryM
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Mary's daughter wrote:
We have just finished William Penn's World and enjoyed it very much. I don't remember any anti-catholic sentiment.
We just started The World of Captain John Smith. There is a lot of anti-catholic stuff in this one.
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Good to know the views of the John Smith and William Penn books.
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Mary M. in Denver
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4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: Genevieve Foster books?
