History for adults - Staying ahead of SOTW!

[4KookieKids]

I moved too much as a kid to have any sort of coherent history curriculum (e.g., something about 6 middle schools...). Hubby's reading SOTW Ancients at bedtime with the kids (he LOVES history!), but I'm in and out with the babe and have a hard time keeping up on it. I'm looking for something similar (but geared toward adults) that I could read several times to really get the "flow." I've always been fascinated by history, but it never seemed to "stick." I know SWB makes one for adults as well, but am wondering what else comes highly recommended from the hive. I don't mind if it's more than one book for "ancients", but I'd like it to be cohesive. Bonus points if you can recommend good ones for the later periods too! :thumbup:

Edited June 9, 2016 by deanna1ynne

[Milknhoney]

This isn't exactly what you're asking for but... I suggest getting the SOTW audiobooks. You can listen to them in the car while you're out running errands. If the kids are in the car, then they're hearing it again and getting the information reinforced. Then you're up on exactly what they're hearing too. This is what I did and it helped a lot, especially when my son got to the age where he needed to read things to himself and I wasn't reading aloud to him anymore. And for what it's worth... even though SOTW is for kids, I learned a lot too.

[Sahamamama]

This isn't exactly what you're asking for but... I suggest getting the SOTW audiobooks. You can listen to them in the car while you're out running errands. If the kids are in the car, then they're hearing it again and getting the information reinforced. Then you're up on exactly what they're hearing too. This is what I did and it helped a lot, especially when my son got to the age where he needed to read things to himself and I wasn't reading aloud to him anymore. And for what it's worth... even though SOTW is for kids, I learned a lot too.

 

What she said.

 

We have the SOTW audiobooks (all four), and the girls listen to them during quiet times, while playing, in the car, and sometimes while falling asleep at night. So we've gotten our money's worth, LOL.

 

We also have the Mystery of History audiobooks, and while I do like them, I can't listen to them while I'm driving. We got them with the background music, which is nice, but kind of sleepy. I don't want to fall asleep at the wheel, KWIM? So we listen to those at home.

 

Some people listen to Diana Waring's lectures on history, but I've never been able to handle that much enthusiasm (sorry, but it's true). I suppose I would stay awake in the car, though! :biggrinjester:

 

You might also want to spend the summer months reading (to yourself or aloud) a one-volume world history, such as Hillyer's A Child's History of the World or something similar.

 

Here's a thread that discusses doing a history overview every year. You might find some ideas there that could work for your own study time. HTH.

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/476589-mrs-twains-history-approach/?do=findComment&comment=5017909

[Kareni]

Yet another possibility for you are Larry Gonick's illustrated histories.  Be aware that there is occasional adult content/language.

 

These are the ones for World History; he has others on American history, various sciences, etc.

 

Cartoon History of the Universe Volumes 1-7

 

The Cartoon History of the Universe II, Volumes 8-13: From the Springtime of China to the Fall of Rome (Pt.2)

 

The Cartoon History of the Universe III: From the Rise of Arabia to the Renaissance (Cartoon History of the Earth...

 

Regards,

Kareni

[wathe]

Not a book, but Crash Course World History youtube videos are brilliant.  (For adults!  Some content not appopriate for kids - mine at least).

 

 

 

[fourisenough]

This isn't exactly what you're asking for but... I suggest getting the SOTW audiobooks. You can listen to them in the car while you're out running errands. If the kids are in the car, then they're hearing it again and getting the information reinforced. Then you're up on exactly what they're hearing too. This is what I did and it helped a lot, especially when my son got to the age where he needed to read things to himself and I wasn't reading aloud to him anymore. And for what it's worth... even though SOTW is for kids, I learned a lot too.

This exactly! Best homeschool purchase in our family: SOTW audio CDs.

[Miss Tick]

This exactly! Best homeschool purchase in our family: SOTW audio CDs.

Plus, I think they are on sale now until the end of the month...