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Story of the World, Text Bundle Hardcover: History for the Classical Child: Ancient Times through The Modern Age Hardcover – February 25, 2020

by Susan Wise Bauer (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 202 ratings
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With over a million copies of the series now in print, The Story of the World has become an enduring favorite of young readers and their parents.

Available in hardcover, this four-volume narrative world history tells the story of the entire globe, from the earliest nomadic humans all the way to the Persian Gulf war at the end of the twentieth century.

Told in an entertaining, engaging style, The Story of the World uses the stories of women and men, countries and empires, rebels and rulers, peasants and presidents, to walk young readers through a continuous, chronological account of human events.

The reading level of each volume increases slightly in difficulty, growing along with the developing ability of the children following the narrative thread. Volume 1 is a read-aloud for grades 1-2, an independent read for stronger readers in grades 2-5; Volume 2 is pitched towards grades 2-6; Volume 3, towards grades 3-6; and Volume 4, tackling the difficult topics of modern wars, has a reading level of grades 4-8.

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  1. Reading age
    7 - 10 years
  2. Print length
    1734 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    1 - 8
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 4.5 x 9.6 inches
  6. Publisher
    The Well-Trained Mind Press
  7. Publication date
    February 25, 2020
  8. ISBN-10
    194584177X
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1945841774
  10. See all details
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Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

From the Publisher

The Story of the World Series

Suggested age ranges for each volume of the Story of the World series

Each of the four volumes of the Story of the World series are meant to be read by children, or read aloud to children. Here are suggested age ranges for each volume:

  • Volume 1 (978-1933339009): Children in grades 1-4
  • Volume 2 (978-1933339092): Children in grades 2-5
  • Volume 3 (978-1945841446): Children in grades 3-6
  • Volume 4 (978-1945841903): Children in grades 4-8

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Wise Bauer is an educator and academic who has worked with parents and students for more than twenty years. She taught at the College of William and Mary in Virginia for fifteen years. Her previous best-selling titles for Norton include The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had, Rethinking School, The Story of Western Science: From the Writings of Aristotle to the Big Bang Theory, and the History of the World series

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Well-Trained Mind Press (February 25, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 1734 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 194584177X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1945841774
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 10 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 8
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.5 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 4.5 x 9.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 202 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
202 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Overall History of the World
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2020
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Most engaging and strategic view of World History for children of all ages!
5 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful homeschool history supplement
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2020
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These are the greatest books for history and timelines.
3 people found this helpful
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weiwei qu
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice history book
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2021
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Great book for both kids and parents
2 people found this helpful
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Lois F. Dinges
5.0 out of 5 stars Books
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2021
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My grandson loves these books.
3 people found this helpful
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Elaine
5.0 out of 5 stars Good for elementary school students
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2020
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My fourth grade son loves them!
One person found this helpful
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Juliette
4.0 out of 5 stars History but in story form! Love it!
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is an incredibly well written full series on world history. Absolutely love it. Would’ve given 5 stars if it was less religious though. It’s annoying when it presents bible stories as facts and you have to basically say to your kid, ok that part is a legend.
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Evelyne Loiterstein
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing series
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2020
I am so glad I bought this series just before the corona period. Almost every day, I read the stories to my DD13 and DS11. They love them and I do too (notwithstanding the fact that these books were written for elementary school aged kids). We are in the middle of the second volume. As for the first volume, I read two chapters in one go. In the current, second volume, I read only one chapter each time as the information is much more dense. This is a great way of spending quality time together! The kids always have something to ask or add. I believe that these books add so much to their general education in a fun way. The series also leaves room for further inquiry. (The writer states that she chose not to discuss the Inquisition. Consequently, my children are intrigued and will look for books on the topic as soon as the library opens its doors again in the post-corona period (if there will be such thing at all.)
13 people found this helpful
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JRCR
4.0 out of 5 stars Solid History/Social Studies for Homeschooling
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
Helpful homeschooling materials enjoyed by teacher and student. We have only used Ancient History so far, but we enjoy the Christian perspective added to the overall history lesson as well as the storytelling methodology.
9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

L bokchoy
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating stories from all over the world
Reviewed in Canada on April 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
We use these books at home for our homeschool curriculum. The books interlace history with classical stories which leads to many interesting conversations in our household
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kyoungshin
5.0 out of 5 stars very good
Reviewed in Canada on August 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
very good
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