As a child, I never enjoyed history. Too many dates to memorize and boring facts that seemed to have no meaning in my life. Perhaps it was the textbooks, the teacher? I'm not sure. Anyway, as an adult I have become fascinated with history. The book pictured above is what I use for home schooling. It is amazing! Even if you don't home school it is worth reading. You will be amazed at what you have forgotten and/or what you never learned before.
We are currently studying Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, Ferdinand and Isabelle (King and Queen of Spain who funded Columbus' expedition) and the Spanish Inquisition. We are reading To The Edge of the World to go along with our studies. It is fiction based on fact. The main character is a young boy named Mateo that loses his parents to the Plague and must seek his fortune at the age of 14. He ends up becoming a cabin boy with Ferdinand Magellan as his captain. It is quite an adventure and we are all enjoying it.
By the way, did you know that Katherine of Aragon (King Henry VIII's first wife) was Ferdinand and Isabella's (King and Queen of Spain) daughter? This was news to me. This brings me to the book that I am enjoying- just for me.:-)
Have any of you read this book? It is keeping me up way too late at night. My images of King Henry VIII were never like this! Yes, he was young at one time, too. Too bad he was such a selfish jerk! Friends, I am learning that history is never boring...
Neat book! What age/grade do you start history?
ReplyDeleteElise
I'm so glad to hear the flipside of the history of the world. I've only heard two people talk about it, and neither one liked it! I thought it sounded awesome. Oh, history was my favorite subject. And I think you're right, the teacher has A LOT to do with it. He was my favorite teacher in school. I would go in every morning in 11th and 12th grade to his classroom at 6:00am (yes, I was a freak) and we drank coffee and I soaked up his wisdom like a sponge until the bell rang. And his classes....OH I LOVED!! Ah History...good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Other Boleyn Girl. The movie was not as rich as the book. And, it is so historically inaccurate. I have a bunch of books on Kings / Queens including: Divorced, Beheaded, Survived: A Feminist Reinterpretation of the Wives of Henry VIII by Karen Lindsey. It's a good read.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori,
ReplyDeleteGrowing up I didn't like history at all. I did however love PNW history (I think it was because I had a teacher that made it fun/didn't hurt that he was cute either) But now that I have grown up (somewhat) I do love history so much. Thank you for sharing the books they do look really good.
I'll write more later-I'm in the process of dyeing some cheesecloth orange (you'll see) :) And making a tree. :)
Robin~♥
I read The Other Boleyn Girl earlier this summer....I have to admit I raced through it. I thought it was very good! It inspired my to do some additional reading on Anne Boleyn--she was fascinating!
ReplyDeleteLooks like I will have some thing to read once I am done with the 'Twilight' series!
ReplyDeleteI also have come to love history as an adult and hope by reading with the children have instilled that love early on. There is so much to learn from those who lived before us and shape our lives and this world :0}
tyketto said... it is so historically inaccurate is she talking about the book or movie or both?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed that book too. I heard the movie wasn't as good so I haven't gotten to it yet.
ReplyDeleteLove history....almost minored in it....The only other books Caleb ever enjoyed were Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde and Squanto: Friend to the Pilgrims. But he would say he hates history!
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, I will be on the "lookout" for my "bracelets"!!!...very excited!!!...& no need to apologize!...I have been going to bed earlier too!?...What happened to us?...Now, I am planning on staying up tonight, but who knows?...the "sleepies" may take over!...I have so many things I need to do though, among them our "swaps"!!! I really want to get the box for your swap together soon & sent! I am almost done, but not quite...I am off to jump in the pool, just for a bit before making dinner!...Looking forward to our long chats!...Heidi XO
ReplyDeleteThanks for your nice comment on my blog...you made my day!
ReplyDeleteI also loved The Other Boleyn
Girl...I love history, but don't do so well remembering dates (darn it)!
Fun blog...and your button bracelets are charming!
Hi Robin's good friend,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. To be able to home school is really great! That was'nt done much back when I raised my kids.
Thanks for your book info..I read alot.
bj
I will have to check them all out. History books usually only show the pictures of King Henry are when he is old and quite, well, round and rather homely looking. The movie makes him look like he was quite the stud muffin. I love history now also. It has a deeper meaning now that I am older.
ReplyDeleteI never liked history when I was in school either. i really think it was the textbooks/memorizing dates that made it boring. I LOVE teaching History to my kids (and learning a lot myself)through real living books.
ReplyDelete