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Once upon a time (in the 1950s and '60s) Random House published a terrific series of biographies called World Landmark Books chronicling the exploits of figures from Alexander the Great and Joan of Arc to Genghis Khan. Here, Thiessen tells how to track down these treasures and use them in your Christian homeschool. Includes plot summaries, teaching suggestions, website recommendations, and more. 215 pages, softcover from Pure Joy.
This catch phrase is one to live by. Children are truly educated when immersed in a subject. If their schoolbooks present only a shallow smattering of fact and information, they end up not caring. So you must go deeper. Get in touch with the struggle and toil of those who made history, and something wonderful is added to education: sympathy. When children sympathize, they connect and care.
Do you want your children to care about what they are learning? History stories like those of the Landmark Books series will help. Most Landmark books are out of print. Those who seek, however, will find them in used bookstores or at library sales. And this guide will direct you to the ones that will be most useful.
My son read American war correspondent Quentin Reynold’s incredible firsthand account of The Battle of Britain, and was left with impressions of WWII that gave him a more intimate knowledge than he otherwise would have had. Christian author Thiessen surveys 63 books. She provides a synopsis of each story and information on its author. She makes suggestions for related reading in books that are still in print. The websites she recommends have been carefully researched. She dedicates her guide “to homeschooling parents everywhere who know there is a better way to study history.” 215 pages, softcover from Pure Joy.
—Karen
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
2 of 2 Reviews Showing: 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jessica Steiner (Parker, Co.), November 26, 2004 At last, the comprehensive literature based guide for World History I have been waiting for! This friendly, helpful guide has not only introduced our family of varied aged students to the wonderful classics of the World Landmark Series, but allows us to really immerse ourselves in the facinating events and characters of each historical period. I have REALLY enjoyed the author's synopsis and notes for each title as well as her recommendations for further study and exploration. A homeschooler's delight! The author's book guides have been very helpful in obtaining the texts from the library and used/new book stores. My students would always rather read a fascinating biography than a traditional text book relaying historical information. This versitile guide promotes independent study/reading skills for the self-directed student or can be utilized as a read-a-loud study for multiple aged students. 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kathy Keltner (Dunbar, Wisconsin), October 27, 2004 This book not only gives you concise, comprehensive information about each book, but creates a hunger and a thirst to read the entire Landmark book, as well as a desire to acquire more of them for our home library. Her summaries whet the appetite to read the entire book instead of being satisfied with the "Cliff Notes" version.
I loved her personal opinions because of the conversational style she used and because she imparted the importance of the information contained in the book, as well as inserting cautionary notes for homeschoolers to be aware of with the book itself or with the recommended websites.
The back of the book contains valuable, time-saving information. The Charts and Lists section is well organized and extremely helpful if you want to study Landmarks in chronological order. She has included a categorical chart, which is a helpful reference if you just want to sort and study only the battles, or explorers, or rulers of the world.
I will use the Checklist in the back to keep track of the books I currently own and for obtaining new ones. Price lists and the rarity scale seem invaluable to collectors. The identification guide with the full-color pictures of each book or dust jacket sparks even more interest and will be invaluable as well in my search to add to my collection.
I recommend it highly as a resource as well as a tool to inspire my children to read these books. Write a review of World Landmark Books: A Homeschoolers' Guide
Author: Karen Thiessen Located in: Wheat Ridge, CO Submitted: October 27, 2004 Tell us a little about yourself. I have just started my thirteenth year of homeschooling.
My oldest child graduated college with a Mission Aviation
degree this past May. He plans to serve the Lord on a
foreign field in a support position, as soon as his school
bill is paid. My daughter is a sophmore in college and
working towards a degree in Biblical Studies. And my third
child is now twelve and in seventh grade. We are having
great fun this year as we learn together and I am trying to
enjoy every minute that I have left in my homeschooling
career. My husband and I have been married 24 years and I
have had the incredible priviledge of being a stay-at-home
mom for most of that time.
What was your motivation behind this project? When I discovered the Landmark books about ten years
ago, I looked everywhere for some kind of reference guide
to tell me more about the series. Where could I find them?
Which titles should I purchase? What did they look like?
How could I use them in my homeschool?
Not being able to find anything definitive, I determined that
one day I would write the guide myself. That "one day"
rolled around about two years ago and so I began. I read
each book, (63 in the World Landmark series) took notes,
wrote a synopsis of each title, added my own impressions
and notes, researched the authors, recorded current prices,
found internet links for additional information, and added
further ideas for study and extra activities.
Most homeschoolers are familiar with this series of books
but unaware of some of the content. I want to give parents
a way to know the content without having to read the entire
book, thereby making wise decisions regarding which titles
to add to their homeschooling library. We have all
purchased books and been disappointed upon finding
objectionable material. I hope I have made it easier for
homeschoolers to find what they want and use their often
limited book allowance wisely.
I also hope to inspire parents to use biographies in the
place of textbooks which are generally dry and do not
create a love for history in the mind of the reader. These
older, out-of-print biographies are ideal for homeschoolers
but also for any parents who wish to supplement their
child's reading with interesting biographical works.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? My goal in writing this book was to provide comprehensive
information to homeschoolers about the famous "World
Landmark Books." This guide walks the reader through the
process of learning how to identify, locate, purchase and
then use this now mostly out-of-print series of children's
nonfiction books which focus on events and people who
affected world history. It is a textbook free, guilt-free
approach to teaching history with "living" books.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? I was greatly inspired at a homeschool conference this past
summer by Christopher Klicka of HSLDA. Despite his
physical struggles with MS he has such a victorious spirit
and heart for the Lord. He said he and his wife "have no
fear" and that really challenged me.
The major influences in my life are undoubtedly my parents
who brought me up in a home immersed in music,
surrounded by a a sense of the importance of history and
politics. They introduced me to the Lord Jesus Christ and
for that I can never thank them enough.
As for favorite artists, I listen to Michael Card (I love the
theology and doctrine in his music), Gilbert and Sullivan,
lots of classical music, and I am really stuck on the
wonderful old hymns of the faith.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: I have a forthcoming title that will cover the Landmark
books (122 in that series) which deal with American history.
Lord willing, it will be printed in the spring of 2005.
I am happy to hear from readers and will answer all
questions to the best of my ability. Comments on this
book, as well as suggestions for improvements are
welcome. I can be contacted via email at
karen@purejoypublications.com.
Availability: Only 1 in stock - order soon before they are gone!
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