September 2007 Archives

The Story of the World
History for the Classical Child
Revised Edition

Volume 1: Ancient Times
From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor
by Susan Wise Bauer

History's not my subject, and ancient history least of all. But I'm afterschooling my kid, and this book looks like a good pick.

It reads in story form, with a cozy tone you can curl right up to. Starting sensibly with a discussion of why archeology is so important for revealing ancient history knowledge, it plunges in quickly to nomadic times.

But not without a connection to the reader. Each chapter starts with a thought-provoking question or a jog of the memory, and then sweeps up the student into the next phase of times long ago.

Having a weak history background, I never really pondered before how much artifacts and early writings mean to the construction of ancient history.

But this author paints artifacts with lively descriptions, leading the reader to value them for the secrets they reveal.

Wrapping up with the end of Rome, the reader is left with a revelation of some Latin words he probably didn't know he knew, including the meaning of the P.S. at the end of a letter.

From the Egyptian battles for power to the atrocities (toned down) of Attila the Hun, there's nothing text-bookish about The Story of the World.