TheApprentice Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I'm looking for both World and American History spines. I went to Keystone Academy's website and saw what text they were using, but I wasn't able to "Look Inside" on Amazon. So that's my question. What are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorMom Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 :bigear: I've had a heck of a time finding any sort of spine. I can't stand public school history texts. I like using "living" books, but sometimes a spine is convenient to have around. We are reading the newer SWB book, The History of the Ancient World. It isn't entirely secular, imho, but close enough :) She also has a great sense of humor.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyinND Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 We use History Odyssey. The spine is the Kingfisher History Encycopedia & The Story of Mankind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 (edited) For World History, we used Spielvogel's "Human Odyssey": PRO - lots of illustrations, photos - lots of excerpts from primary sources -- authors of the time, documents, etc. - could break the 1150 pages into sections for covering shorter time period each year - covered cultures on all continents (NOT just Western Civ. nations, but whole world) - includes in-the-chapter questions you can use as quizzes, and end-of-chapter review questions you can use as tests CON - a bit dry; very textbook-y in tone - slightly patronizing and negative view of ANY religion or church activity - slightly liberal, slightly-pro socialist viewpoint especially evident in the chapters on 20th century (e.g., I found it a little alarming how the text glosses over the atrocities of Fascist Germany and Italy under Hitler and Mussolini, and Communist USSR under Stalin) Not personally familiar with it, and it is probably more a "highlights of history" type of resource, but the Complete Idiot's Guide to World History may be of interest. And if you have a very visual learner, a supplement that may be helpful is Larry Gonick's Cartoon History series (he has several series: History of the Universe in multiple volumes; History of the U.S.; History of the Modern World). Here is a sample of one. [On a side note: I would NOT recommend trying to cover 6000 years of world history in one year -- 2 or 3 years is MUCH more reasonable if you expect to retain anything. ;) If you only have time to do 1 year of World History and 1 year of U.S. History, then pick one of the older time periods for your World History, as there is a fair amount of overlap with 20th century U.S. and World History.] Not of help for what you are looking for, but for U.S. History, we used Notgrass' Exploring America (Christian not secular). Not that you asked, but after 2 years of textbook-y secular-perspective Spielvogel, it was a real relief and a delight to all of us to read an informal Christian-perspective spine. BEST of luck in finding what works best for your family! Warmly, Lori D. Edited February 20, 2012 by Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkateLeft Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 We followed the WTM recommendation, and used Tindall's "America: A Narrative History" for 10th grade US History last year, alongside the AP course content at Hippocampus. For world history in 9th grade, my daughter was enrolled in K12's high school world history course and most course material was online, so we didn't have a spine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 We use, per WTM suggestion, John Harrison's Short History of Western Civilization. It is an older textbook with well written, continuous text, no distractions through colored boxes and sidebars; very few b/w maps. You can actually read the book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 We plan on using Spielvogel's Western Civ and The Human Odyssey books. We'll cover a few chapters each year. I have Cantor's Civilization of The Middle Ages, which we may use. I haven't read it yet. For US history I have Tindall's book. For modern history I will probably use a different world-centered text or book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Another option would be Will and Ariel Durrant's Story of Civilization. There are also Oxford press histories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in MA Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 We've also followed WTM's recs with Spielvogel Western Civilation, Tindall's American History, Rhodes History of Asia and lots of outside reading. We're planning on using HOAW for Ancients next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 We really like Noble's Western Civilization book and ties in well with the Teaching Co Foundations of West Civ lectures.http://www.amazon.com/Cengage-Advantage-Books-Civilization-Boundaries/dp/0495900737/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1329773403&sr=8-7 (this is the link for vol 1. you can purchase it in 2 vols or in a complete ed) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 It is an older textbook with well written, continuous text, no distractions through colored boxes and sidebars; very few b/w maps. You can actually read the book. :lol: Regentrude, this just CONFIRMS that you and I are VERY different learner types! I, as a visual learner, absolutely NEED those visuals to SEE what the art, architecture, and cultural aspects LOOKED like to stay engaged... I lay odds you are an auditory learner! :001_smile: WARMEST regards, Regentrude! Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheApprentice Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 Ok, so if you use WTM's rhetoric stage recommendations, do you also read the great books recommended per grade and the way about studying them. It's really hard for me to "create" my own curriculum from a few books. I lose focus. The book suggests ways to go about studying, but my ds is not that interested in History (he's more science and math), and while it looks interesting, it appears intense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaAkins Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Regarding Tindall's book, which edition? It appears there are "brief eighth edition" and "eighth edition" and volume 1 and volume 2. I see a few different ones here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=America%3A+A+Narrative+History Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) :lol: Regentrude, this just CONFIRMS that you and I are VERY different learner types! I, as a visual learner, absolutely NEED those visuals to SEE what the art, architecture, and cultural aspects LOOKED like to stay engaged... I lay odds you are an auditory learner! :001_smile: . No, Lori, I am NOT an auditory learner - anything I only hear goes right out the other ear unless I take notes and write it down. I learn best through written language. I can remember any name I see written on a name tag - and absolutely none if people only say it when I meet them. I, too, want to see pictures of the Art and architecture, but I want to see them when I want to learn about art and architecture. It does not enhance my understanding of a historical political development if I see a picture of the guy who played a role; I want a consecutive discussion of the ideas and concepts and I do not wish to be interrupted while they are discussed. I was not thinking so much of photographs that are pertinent to the content, but more of the annoying colored boxes that contain factoids, activities, comparisons, etc, that break up any modern school textbook and make it impossible to follow the thread of the text - if there even is much of a thread. It is the sound bite nature of modern texts I object to. Edited February 21, 2012 by regentrude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 For American, I *highly* recommend K12's The American Odyssey. It is the best American history text I've seen (and I've extensively reviewed way too many of them). In fact, I read the entire thing aloud and it even reads aloud beautifully, which is pretty unusual for a textbook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 For World History, we used Spielvogel's "Human Odyssey": This is what we used for World History for the last two years. We followed the WTM recommendation, and used Tindall's "America: A Narrative History" for 10th grade US History last year, alongside the AP course content at Hippocampus. This is our plan for American for the next two years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanine in TX Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 DD uses Traditions and Encounters by Bentley. She does assignments online at the book's website. https://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072957549/student_view0/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Oh, dear, so sorry, Regentrude; I was just teasing with you and in NO way meant to offend! I truly have the greatest respect and awe for you and your family and your ability to accomplish a rigorous and traditional Classical Education. I really do enjoy your posts and learn a lot from you, which made me feel I "know" you. And then, certain kinds of humor just don't "translate" into non-face-to-face interactions such as an electronic bulletin board. Again, I offer my sincere apologies. Warmest regards, Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Oh, dear, so sorry, Regentrude; I was just teasing with you and in NO way meant to offend! I truly have the greatest respect and awe for you and your family and your ability to accomplish a rigorous and traditional Classical Education. I really do enjoy your posts and learn a lot from you, which made me feel I "know" you. And then, certain kinds of humor just don't "translate" into non-face-to-face interactions such as an electronic bulletin board. Again, I offer my sincere apologies. Lori, no need to apologize - I did not find your remark offensive at all. In fact, it made perfect sense to me that one would expect a person who prefers consecutive b/w text not to be a visual learner :) I am sorry if my reply came across as if I was miffed, I really was not. I am honored that you have such high regards for me, and I feel like an impostor because, to be honest, I do not really manage that "rigorous classical education". I am not even trying to be truly "classical". No Greek and very little Latin at our house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Whew! Thanks Regentrude! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyDays Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 I'm bumping an old thread here... I've been doing searches for future history options. For American, I *highly* recommend K12's The American Odyssey. It is the best American history text I've seen (and I've extensively reviewed way too many of them). In fact, I read the entire thing aloud and it even reads aloud beautifully, which is pretty unusual for a textbook. Is K12 the only place you can get American Odyssey? (I checked Amazon, and they have one used for more than the price of new through K12, LOL.) Is there anywhere online you can see samples?? Obviously I'm a few years from needing this, but like I mentioned... just thinking ahead to future years. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Both of my kids have used this book: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/national-geographic-visual-history-of-the-world-national-geographic/1102785073?ean=9780792236955 It's an encyclopedia, not a text. We've then supplemented with more material about whatever eras or regions they are studying that year. It's worked well for both of them, and I bought it on sale, meaning it's a lot cheaper than any text, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3andme Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Regarding American Odyssey, there are a number of used copies available very cheaply but they are not listed as K12. I bought one of these and it is the correct book and isbn but the publisher is mistakenly listed as Donnely not K12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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