I know this is an old book, but it has been reprinted. I recently read through my copy so that I could decide whether to keep it or donate it. In all our years of homeschooling I could never entice any of my children to keep reading this book at any age. I didn't know why, when it looked so attractive. Now that I have sat down to read it, I know why. It's written in a way that makes no sense. Nothing is finished, no concept is explored fully. It's disconnected. After reading I felt no wiser or more informed on any of the topics listed in the contents. I usually like simple children's books, but they do have to have some truthful content at the same time. This book doesn't tell you why science contradicts scripture, or even that it does contradict it. Where does the Bible tell us that the world is a ball, or a planet? Very discouraging was seeing that a previous reviewer quoted Werner Von Braun, so I thought I would share his wikipedia description for a little perspective.

"Wernher Magnus Maximilian Freiherr von Braun was a German and American aerospace engineer and space architect. He was a member of the Nazi Party and Allgemeine SS, as well as the leading figure in the development of rocket technology in Nazi Germany and later a pioneer of rocket and space technology in the United States."Wikipedia.

Say goodbye to the stuffy textbook style as you explore this refreshing change of learning presented by John Hudson Tiner. Looking back at my own schooling experience, I remember enjoying the information gleaned from learning, but I also remember getting burnt out with long modules featuring page after page of tiny typed text and strings of questions that, frankly, made my head ache. This book is sectioned off into easily manageable chapters (averaging about three to six pages of a little larger than average print size) followed by an equally manageable list of about eight to ten mostly fill-in-the-blank questions. Let your child enjoy large pictures of the explorers, detailed maps of the areas being taught, and extra fun facts in addition to the main text. In addition to these advantages, this book is packed with fascinating historical accounts and details which, even I, as an adult had failed to hear of.

The writer "zooms up" if you will, on the individual lives of explorers, giving concise overviews of whole lifetimes from the lives of ancient Greeks to more modern- day people. Tiner seamlessly links biblical worldview in the teaching of history and science. Along the way, he gives the references to Scripture passages that tie into the historical lessons that he is teaching.

I found it interesting to read about the many Christian scientists he touches on (such as Galileo, Newton, and Boyle) that were tremendously blessed in their scientific efforts and made great headway in the history of science. These men and others were passionate about exploring God's creation so as to bring glory to their Maker. As in the words of Wernher von Braun, a German-American engineer:

"Through a closer look at creation, we ought to gain a knowledge of the Creator, and a greater sense of Man's responsibilities to God will come into focus."

While going through this textbook, I honestly kept looking for a thing or two that I didn't like about it so as to give it a fair but honest trial. About three-fourths of the way through, I finally gave up and gave in to the thrilling fact that, in my opinion, this schoolbook is "too good to be true." Without a doubt, a breath of fresh air.

*Thanks to Master Books for sending me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Very Well Done! This book has plenty of history and science in it and is interesting to read. A great unit study or use it in addition to your Earth Science or History text.