Reviews (2)

A Stunning Book
I thoroughly enjoyed this well written volume about French history and culture. Not only is the text first rate, it is filled with stunning color photos of various places in France and makes the reader really want to go there. The whole thing is good, but I thought the chapter on the French arts was particularly educational. I think the book is aimed at young people, but adults will definitly find it worthwhile too.

Makes France Look Very Interesting and Inviting
This is a colorful, absorbing look at one of the world's most interesting and picturesque countries. The author is Don Nardo, who is known for his many fine books about ancient history, so this book goes a bit more heavily into France's history than into other aspects of the country. Still, it's a pretty much balanced presentation. The chapter on the history of French culture is especially well done and interesting. I would recommend the book highly to anyone planning a trip to France. ... Read more

Book Description

New Look! Relaunched with new jackets and 8 pages of new text!

Here is a spectacular and informative guide to the castles of the Middle Ages and the lives of the people who lived in them. Superb, full-color photographs of castles around the world, plus specially built models, offer a unique and revealing "eyewitness" view of medieval life, from a castle's construction to its destruction in a siege.See a medieval lavatory, a giant crossbow on wheels, how prisoners were kept secure in dungeons, a herald in full regalia, and castles used by Crusaders in Syria and samurai warriors in Japan.Learn how castles got their water during a siege, how besiegers tunneled under castle walls, how the Normans built castles in a hurry, how the first guns worked, why round towers were better than square ones, and what a castellan's job entailed.Discover how enemies climbed castle walls, what was on the menu at a typical banquet, why many castles had resident carpenters and metalworkers, why Crusader castles were so well built, and much, much more. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good foundation
Like all the Eyewitness books, the quantity of information in Castle is both its strong point and weak point. We are taken to castles through time as well as in different cultures, and both the architectural and sociological aspects are examined. However, many of the facts and pictures included on a given page seem rather random and do not fit into a coherent general presentation.

Castle is good fun if one remembers to read the main sections and the details when they're specifically interesting, but to just enjoy the pictures for some of the minutia.

Not good.
Eyewitness Castles, Medieval Life, Knights: Boring. Eyewitness Castle isn't that good. It is very boring. The water Eyewitness books like Eyewitness SHARK are far more better then Castles, Medieval Life and Knights.

Hooray for Eyewitness Books!
Eyewitness books give readers complete information in short 'blurbs' and captioned pictures. These books are always the first to be checked out in our school library...our students LOVE THEM...and parents, you will too! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Useful help, even with flaws
We have now used all the Greenleaf Press series of Famous Men books and their companion Guides. As usual, we've found much help with teaching our children history, even our eight year old. However, I must note some lack quality in the publishing. This is most evident in some sloppy typography, especially within a map of Italy. Through some technical glitch at the printer's, much of the captioning on the map is lost. This is sad, and probably inexcusable for a book at this price. Otherwise, an excellent investment.

An excellent an informative guide to the 'famous men'.
The Shearer duo has produced a valuable history of the Renaissance and Reformation by doing biographies on the leading men of the time. The biographies are very readable, and contain narrative, pictures and primary source quotes which together give an excellent overview of the man, his family and the time. This book, coupled with 'Famous Men of the Middle Ages', provides the student (Junior High and up) with a foundation of knowledge concerning the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wow
In this wonderful book you'll get to learn everything about Romans. What gods they worshiped, how Rome was founded and first named, who their kings were and what they did...and so so many other great things.

I have learned a lot from this book and so will you because it's not filled with confusion as other historical books.

An Effective Way to Introduce Your Kids to Ancient Rome
I have a confession to make. One of the really cool things I'm enjoying about homeschooling in general, and teaching my kids history in particular, is that I get to learn right along with them. I'm playing a bit of a trick on them: I stay just enough ahead to maintain my credibility as their teacher. Truth is, I'm really their fellow-student. That's one reason the Famous Men series and their companion guides from Greenleaf Press are so helpful to me. Short, informative chapters that quickly capture the story of history as lived through the lives of influential individuals. In my opinion, biography is at least as important as event, because biography lets us in on the "why" and "how" of history more effectively than covering dates and events. And isn't that what we most need to know? Famous Men of Rome is faithful to this vision of learning history through biography. There are thirty chapters covering over 29 people and 11 centuries, from the legendary founding of Rome to its slow unraveling in the early centuries after Christ. Each chapter is a fascinating read. For those who plan to use Famous Men of Rome in teaching their children, I recommend also getting the Greenleaf Guide to Famous Men of Rome. It provides ideas, discussion questions, of most help to me, comprehensive lists of additional resources. I also recommend Laurie Carlson's Classical Kids and The Classical Companion, by Charles F. Baker III and Rosalie F. Baker. They will help you transport your children back to the days of ancient Rome and Greece. My children, who admittedly are avid readers, love these books. So does their father.

A Classic Collection of Biographies for Elementary Children
Famous Men of Rome continues to effectively introduce children to ancient history.

The author states in the 1904 preface: "The former practice in many elementary schools of beginning the detailed study of American history without any previous knowledge of general history limited the pupil's range of vision, restricted his sympathies, and left him without material for comparisons. Moreover, it denied to him a knowledge of his inheritance from the Greek philosopher, the Roman lawgiver, the Teutonic lover of freedom."

Your child will be captured by the fable of Romulus and Remus. He or she will wonder at Cincinnatus who chose to be a farmer rather than a dictator. And your child will admire Marcus Aurelius, a noble emperor who lived simply, used his own money to help the poor, and walked the streets greeting people and listening to their troubles so he could be a better leader.

Older students may read Plutarch but elementary children will gained a foundation for history by reading about "Famous Men." ... Read more

Book Description

In 1845, a disaster struck Ireland. Overnight, a mysterious blight attacked the potato crops, turning the potatoes black and destroying the only real food of nearly six million people.

Over the next five years, the blight attacked again and again. These years are known today as the Great Irish Famine, a time when one million people died from starvation and disease and two million more fled their homeland.
Black Potatoes is the compelling story of men, women, and children who defied landlords and searched empty fields for scraps of harvested vegetables and edible weeds to eat, who walked several miles each day to hard-labor jobs for meager wages and to reach soup kitchens, and who committed crimes just to be sent to jail, where they were assured of a meal. It"s the story of children and adults who suffered from starvation, disease, and the loss of family and friends, as well as those who died. Illustrated with black and white engravings, it"s also the story of the heroes among the Irish people and how they held on to hope. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Horribly Brilliant
This is an excellent summary of the Potato (note that spelling, Danny-Boy-O Quayle) Famine that plagued Ireland from 1845-1850, when the fungus Pythophthora Infestans destroyed the staple crop. Author Susan Campbell Barttolettideftly explores the swirlingpathological, sociological, political, and theological soup caused by the rotting potatoes and the aftermath.She relies on original sources and interviews with descendants of the resultant Diaspora. This book is found in the children's section of the library, but frankly, I found it hard to read myself - not because the words or concepts are difficult, but because it is so very grim - the horror! the horror! /TundraVision, Amazon reviewer.

Excellent Non-fiction
This is the best non-fiction I have ever seen.The liberal use of personal histories and stories along with illustrations from periodicals reporting the situation make this compelling and fascinating.

A haunting history
The potato blight that struck Ireland in the mid 1800s produced a nation-wide famine, resulting in "one million dead and two million who fled" to other countries, predominately the US and Canada. Countless other Irishmen, with no food, money or homes, simply disappeared. Susan Campbell Bartoletti's "Black Potatoes" recreates the era year by year from haunting contemporary newspaper illustrations, government records and first hand survivor stories, told to their children and grandchildren.

Bartoletti provides a balanced account of the economic, political and social repercussions of the blight and the ensuing famine. Food was available but the poor did not have the means to acquire it. The British government was slow to react to the devastation. Irish government officials, landowners, and shopkeepers worked to protect their own interests but, finally, in the end, contributed the greatest amount of financial support to the poor. The Friends Church, operating local soup kitchens, and American relatives, sending millions of dollars in financial support, were allies of the Irish poor during these times.

This book is a wonderful historical recounting of the time and is compelling reading for those of all ages interested in their Irish heritage. Bartoletti brings the horrors of famine and poverty to life. The 150-year old drawings, originally published in the "Illustrated London News", will stay with the reader long after the book is finished. The six-page narrative bibliography is as interesting as the story itself, and provides students and researchers with numerous sources for further study.

An extraordinary book
Susan Campbell Bartoletti, already well known for her award-winning fiction and nonfiction, has reached new heights with this book. It is clearly impeccably researched, yet never reads like a dry compilation of facts. It is by turns moving, horrifying, hopeful, and depressing. Although she points out the general indifference and (often) hostility of some government officials who could have provided some relief, she never falls into the easy trap of making anyone the villain of the terrible story of the Irish potato famine.Instead, she details the general ignorance of the cause of the blight and the sometimes well-meaning but misguided attempts of different people to remedy the situation.

Most importantly, the reader leaves feeling that this is not some strange thing that happened to unknown people a long time ago. The feeling of immediacy, and the way the reader is led to empathize with the sufferers, make it fresh and real.

Readers of "Nory Ryan's Song" who want to get the real history of this terrible time should be encouraged to read "Black Potatoes." ... Read more

Book Description

This study guide was created by an AP teacher and tested by AP students. The ideas for this study guide came from many AP teachers and students. This book contains such featues as:

Two Outlines Of European History,
A Timeline of European History,
A Glossary of AP European History,
Essay Writing Guides,
Rubrics for DBQ and FRQ, and
Study and Test taking Tips.

This guide was created to prepare the reader to take the AP European History test.It gives the student strategies to be as prepared as possible on test day. Suggestions are included for using web sites for further study. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best Book I Ever Got!!!
This was truly the best review book I ever. It's an outline of all of European History in Note Form. The Time line was great when it came to projects for class and I got so much research information for papers right out of the book. It made life a lot easier and I cant recommend it enough! I took it with me to the AP test... I'm now trying to find one for US hisotry... not so easy!

Excellent book
As a former student in Mr. Brown's AP European History, I strongly recommend this book to any student who is about to take the AP test. This book provides a great deal of curt yet detailed information which is very useful to study for the test and provides various charts, timelines, definitions and other efficient study tools to get ready for the test. Not only that but it also provides a short but thorough outline of the entire course. By mainly studying using this book I was able to receive a 5 on the AP test, and it was mostly through studying with this book that I was able to receive such a high grade. Any prospective student taking the AP European History Test should seriously consider purchasing this helpful book to aid in his/her studying process. ... Read more

Book Description

This carefully researched and insightful account by Sibert medalist Marc Aronson focuses on the intertwined lives of John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Puritan Commonwealth in England. Set against a broad canvas of the turmoil that engulfed Britain in the 17th century, the book examines the clashes of the monarchy and the church with Parliament, which led these two powerful men to take opposite courses. Here is a panoramic view of the period, from elaborate masques to the trial of a heretic, from wars fought against Indians to dramatic battles led by cavalry, from the toppling of a king to the search for the ideal society. Packed with literary allusions, vivid descriptions of significant events, and a cast of memorable figures, this sweeping account picks up where the highly acclaimed Sir Walter Ralegh leaves off, providing another riveting look at British and early American history. Cast of characters, maps, endnotes and bibliography, Internet resources, timeline, index. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Clear, easy, informative
This is a short 83-page book about the Spanish Inquisition. It doesn't focus on details about what day-to-day life was like at the time, as the title might suggest, but is rather a brief and easy-to-read history book. It seems aimed at elementary-school classrooms, but is interesting and well-written enough to be a good introduction to the subject for adults as well. ... Read more

Book Description

Includes suggestions for how to set your study of ancient civilizations in a Biblical context, as well as background information, vocabulary and discussion questions. Also suggestions for supplementary assignments reading children’s versions of The Iliad and The Odyssey, and selections from Plato. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Greeks Alive!
Brought ancient Greece and the Greek culture come alive for our three kids (12,11, 7). Tremendously useful list of extra readings and resources for each lesson. We were able to locate the majority of extra books in our local library. Good discussion questions. Helps Christian families see Greek mythology from Biblical perspectives. You can find some (much needed) scheduling helps by looking on the Greenleaf Press website, where Rob Shearer outlines his own lesson calendar. Truly excellent resource. ... Read more

Book Description

Covers the period in western European history from 1300-1550 and includes chapters on Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dürer, Erasmus, Wyclif, Hus, Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Tyndale and Knox. Includes over 75 b&w images of the men, women and works of art that distinguish this period of history. 29 chapters, 192 pages. Text written for 5th grade and up. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Where are the women?
This is an excellent research tool for high schoolers in history, religion, humanities, art history or world history classes. It is a large, workbook-sized soft cover book. I ordered it for our church library. Illustrations are all in black and white. It was interesting to read as an adult, too, o because it is a good refresher or review of the history of the era. Although each chapter covers a person, the history of the whole book is kept intact. I would recommend it to public school high school teachers for use as a text. However, I have a comment. Where are the WOMEN of the Renaissance and Reformation? What about Catherine de Medici, Katherine von Bora, Joan of Arc, Hildegard von Bingen, and Artimisia Gentileschi, the great female Renaissance painter (check Vasari's Lives of the Painters.) I would like to see women included in any revisions, with the book called, "Famous PEOPLE of the Renaissance and Reformation." Do some digging and don't follow the typical history that men haver written. There is "herstory", too, and it should be researched and brought once again to life. Just because women may not have been as famous as the men, they did wield considerable power and were just as spiritual and talented. ... Read more

Book Description

Rome in a Day is set in 128 AD, on a festival day and follows one day in the life ofa father and his 9-year-old son, Titus Cotta Maximus, as they spend a public holiday together in ancient Rome. Spend the day with father and son as they awake and breakf ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Absolutely one of Biesty's best
Lots of parents will be familiar with Stephen Biesty's "Cross-Sections" series, in which he provides wonderfully detailed cutaway drawings of famous old buildings and the like (e.g., ocean liners, spaceships, cathedrals, etc.). I really think this is one of the best of the series, too.

Previously our favorite was "Stephen Biesty's Man-of-War," which detailed life on a Napoleonic-era battleship. That one provided such good information that even an adult reading an old Horatio Hornblower novel could use it as a reference book.

Likewise, "Rome" depicts the main buildings and neighborhoods of Rome, maintaining a narrative about a young boy of noble family, Titus, as he investigates his native city.

An absolute must for any child or adult interested in ancient history or trying to become interested! ... Read more