ETA: We're strongly leaning toward Duiker and Spielvogel's World History. I'm looking at options for “World History: Medieval-Renaissance†next year for a 10th grader who's pretty academically focused. I'd really like to use Daileader's excellent 3-part Middle Ages in Western Europe audio lecture series, so I'm looking more for a complementary text with a global focus and any interesting primary-sources reading in world history for period ~A.D. 1000-1800. Some of the world history options for our spine are: Strayer, Ways of the World: A Brief Global World History With Sources. I have this, it has a global focus, it has some focus on primary sources and their interpretation, so it's definitely a candidate for us. I would like to hear others' experiences, however, to see if there's something that might be better for DS. Duiker and Spielvogel, World History. A lot of people refer to using or having used “Spielvogel,†but there seem to be several versions of World History and Western Civilization by him. This one seems to be the best fit, but I'm really not sure. I don't think we'd go with his Western Civ. Book. An interesting review of an earlier edition of Spielvogel's World History: A Human Odyssey is here. It appears that Duiker was added as a co-author, and lead author, somewhere along the way, but I'm not positive. ETA: a 2008 WTM thread discusses this text; there's also an interesting review by an AP World History teacher for 9th and 10th graders here with experiences using Duiker and Spielvogel in 2001-2002. Spielvogel, Glencoe World History. This book seems clear, and I really like the extensive use of primary sources. It seems to me, however, that it's intended for a one-year non-honors 9th grade world history class, written at about a 6th grade reading level. It really looks good for its intended purpose, but I think DS is beyond that point in background, reading level, familiarity with maps, etc. ETA: In an earlier WTM thread, another reviewer considered it pre-high school and written at a 5th grade reading level. If you can handle the distracting side-bars and the reading level and background is right, it looks like a good text, however. I have Noble's Western Civilization, which has worked well for DS, but using it means I'd need to supplement for the rest of the world, which I might do, though not ideal; we'll also be using the audio lectures of “Great Authors of the Western Literary Tradition,†which is taught by Noble for the middle ages period, and it would be nice to get another perspective. SWB's History of the Medieval World. I have this, and it's a good book, but we started with her ancient book at the beginning of 9th and switched. I'd appreciate any feedback on your experiences on world history spines for the Medieval-Renaissance period (or useful primary sources to use). Thanks!

I have been happily adhering to the Well-trained Mind suggestions for History using a 4-year cycle of Ancient thru to Modern History. We have used all the Story of the World books and last year completed The History of the Ancient World. I purchased The History of the Medieval World to used 2016/17 (year 2 of the 4 year cycle) and I have become quite confused about how to complete the final cycle. HOTW Ancient did not cover the fall of rome which was where SOTW ended. HOTW Medieval only covers to the early 12th century. SOTW Middle Ages & Renaissance went through to the 16th Century. HOTW Renaissance only gets to 15th century in 94 chapters. How are we supposed to get through Modern History again in the 4 years? Should I even be using HOTW? Any suggestions greatly appreciated. I'm really stressed about getting through it all using these texts, but love the writing and the study guides and maps.

Does anyone have some good writing prompts for history (or literature) for middle ages through Renaissance world history? I'd really like to find things for that time period that don't require extensive reading outside a few relatively short primary source materials, or even one or two short secondary source materials, so that DS's time can be spent on analysis/thinking and writing? In case you're interested, I'll post our draft plan for next year below. Thanks!

Hi there, My 14 yo will be studying the Middle Ages through Renaissance for his Freshman year. He is not a strong reader - middle school level- and doesn't like to read for long period of time. I will probably read most of the primary sources to him and have him narrate what is happening to help him understand the material. As a result, we need a short list of key and engaging primary sources to cover long period in history. What would you recommend? I was thinking we would have one session a week on primary sources for a total of 30 sessions. I realize that some sources we may be able to cover in one session, while other sources will require weeks. Could you help me identify material and provide a ball park figure of how long we should allow? And thank you.

I've searched her blog and the forums (well, a cursory search anyway) and didn't see an estimate. I'm actually looking a few years down the road to 2013. :001_smile: Just curious.