Too Far From Home: A Story of Life and Death in Space

Book Description

An incredible, true-life adventure set on the most dangerous frontier of all—outer spaceIn the nearly forty years since Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, space travel has come to be seen as a routine enterprise—at least until the shuttle Columbia disintegrated like the Challenger before it, reminding us, once again, that the dangers are all too real.
Too Far from Home vividly captures the hazardous realities of space travel. Every time an astronaut makes the trip into space, he faces the possibility of death from the slightest mechanical error or instance of bad luck: a cracked O-ring, an errant piece of space junk, an oxygen leak . . . There are a myriad of frighteningly probable events that would result in an astronaut’s death. In fact, twenty-one people who have attempted the journey have been killed.
Yet for a special breed of individual, the call of space is worth the risk. Men such as U.S. astronauts Donald Pettit and Kenneth Bowersox, and Russian flight engineer Nikolai Budarin, who in November 2002 left on what was to be a routine fourteen-week mission maintaining the International Space Station.
But then, on February 1, 2003, the Columbia exploded beneath them. Despite the numerous news reports examining the tragedy, the public remained largely unaware that three men remained orbiting the earth. With the launch program suspended indefinitely, these astronauts had suddenly lost their ride home.
Too Far from Home chronicles the efforts of the beleaguered Mission Controls in Houston and Moscow as they work frantically against the clock to bring their men safely back to Earth, ultimately settling on a plan that felt, at best, like a long shot.
Latched to the side of the space station was a Russian-built Soyuz TMA-1 capsule, whose technology dated from the late 1960s (in 1971 a malfunction in the Soyuz 11 capsule left three Russian astronauts dead.) Despite the inherent danger, the Soyuz became the only hope to return Bowersox, Budarin, and Pettit home.
Chris Jones writes beautifully of the majesty and mystique of space travel, while reminding us all how perilous it is to soar beyond the sky.

Customer Reviews:

Great for those with interest in life in space........2007-09-15

I really enjoyed this book. I have always had an interest in the space program since I grew up in Florida and would watch most launches when I was in grade school. There were just a few parts of the book that might not be totally accurate due to the writers background as a sports writer and that is why I gave 4 stars. Happy reading!

stuck in space..........2007-07-30

In February of 2003 the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere and all seven astronauts aboard were lost. The news shattered the pysche of our nation and as TOO FAR FROM HOME strongly details the last people to see them and who felt their loss so acutely were the 3 astronauts aboard the International Space Station who had just seen Columbia disenage from station. Americans Kenneth Bowersox, and Don Pettit and Russian Nikolai Budarin were left with only the outdated Soviet capsule Soyuz to get back home. With the mission estended and no end in sight the author richly details life aboard the ISS and all the inherent risks of life in space and all the spectacular reasons why men and women risk their lives to be in space.

Couldn't put this book down!.......2007-07-25

I really enjoyed reading this book. The writing is beautiful and very descriptive. It reads like a science fiction book. It is very fast-paced and easy reading.

In November 2002, ten astronauts left Earth aboard the space shuttle Columbia headed for the International Space Station (ISS). The mission was to depart much earlier, but problems, both technical and weather related, marred the launch. On one launch date, when the astronauts were already strapped-in in their seats aboard space shuttle Columbia, bad weather in their emergency landing site in Spain prevented the launch. The astronauts had to return home. On another occasion, a technical fault cancelled the launch. When the new launch date in November was approaching, the astronauts were wandering if more problems would suddenly appear and prevent another launch. Some astronauts believed that the mission had a bad luck aura around it, but did not discuss it openly. One astronaut had told his relatives that he was never coming back home again!

The launch did take place on November 2002, and to spectators on the ground and to the astronauts aboard Columbia the launch was routine and successful. But cameras aboard Columbia transmitted a different image to Mission Control. A piece was dislodged during the launch and hit critical heat shields located underside the shuttle. After reviewing the tape hundreds of times, Mission Control concluded that the piece must have bounced off the underside of the shuttle causing no damage.

On February 1, 2003, only seven of the ten astronauts were heading back to Earth aboard Columbia after bidding farewell to the three astronauts they left behind in the International Space Station. Sadly, they never made it back home. On re-entry, as witnessed by millions of spectators worldwide, Columbia exploded, killing all seven astronauts onboard. Contrary to what Mission Control thought at first, the heat shields were damaged during the launch. The three astronauts left behind in the International Space Station -- Donald Petit, Kenneth Bowersox, and Russian flight engineer Nikolai Budarin -- found themselves too far from home, stranded on the International Space Station!

Mission Controls in Houston and Moscow worked around the clock to bring back the astronauts safely. Launching another Space Shuttle was not an option, since further NASA space shuttle launches were suspended for months, perhaps years. There was also the problem of how to provide the stranded astronauts with enough supplies while they remained in space. Ultimately, they had to settle to a plan that, according to the author, was risky to say the least. Latched to the side of the space station was a Russian-built Soyuz TMA-1 capsule with outdated technology and, according to the Americans, a questionable safety record. In 1971 a malfunction in the Soyuz 11 capsule left three Russian cosmonauts dead (However, as one reviewer on amazon.com pointed out, all Soyuz crews since that mission have worn full pressure suits during launch and entry as a safeguard against that failure happening again). Furthermore, the Soyuz TMA-1 capsule hadn't been flight tested before (there was never a need to use it)! However, as far as the Russians were concerned, the Soyuz was safe and the only way to bring the astronauts back home.

Despite the inherent danger, the Soyuz became the only hope to return Bowersox, Budarin, and Petit home. Interestingly, though, the three astronauts had such a great time aboard the International Space Station that none of them wanted to return home when they were relieved. Aboard the Soyuz, the three astronauts eventually took "an accelerated, lung-crushing dive" back to earth. Their account aboard the Soyuz is remarkable, and will leave you gasping for air!

The author goes back to the history of the space race with Russia; with the first Russian in space; to animals sent in rockets to space; Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon; the Russian space station; and finally to the International Space Station. You will learn a lot of things about life in space that you probably did not know about, assuming you have not read such material before like me. For example, many early astronauts aboard space stations felt lonely and depressed and longed for home. All the earlier astronauts retired from NASA soon after their return from space! Two astronauts actually went on strike for a whole day while on a space station, and refused to continue their mission. They too retired from NASA on their return. However, the Russian cosmonauts fared much better. They adapted well to the loneliness and confines of space, unlike their American counterparts. According to the author, this is due to the simple life of the Russians as compared to the luxurious and comfortable life Americans lead and are used to.

You will learn a lot about the amazing beauty of a space walk, and how astronauts are so mesmerized by the beauty that they forget themselves, floating as in a trance towards Earth. One astronaut almost was lost in this way if it wasn't for another astronaut pulling him back! I actually went to my video store and bought an Imax DVD of a spacewalk! On the funny side, you'll learn how astronauts "take a crap" in zero gravity, and some quite embarrassing situations!

Here's some negative criticism from other reviewers on amazon.com:

"This author skips around with what in the movie business would be called flashbacks; a few of these are fine but I think this author over used them."

"Felt like there was a little too much effort put into making this into a Manly Tale. Everything seems a little too exaggerated -- the spicy language, the icy fear, the burning decisions. Maybe this style would have held up without question in a magazine, but at the novel's length, I kept wondering, "How do you know?" The little details started to feel like some of them were imagined or embellished; the writing was popping me out of being lost in the scene."

Overall, I highly recommend this book if you have never read non-fiction books on space before.

Too far from home: A story of Life and Death in Space.......2007-07-05

Arived quickly in time for a flight to Atlanta and back, was able to get entirely through it during both flights, However I generly like a lininar book, this author skips around with what in the movie business would be called flashbacks, a few of these are fine but I think this author over used them.

This is as good as it gets............2007-06-27

Ordinarily I wouldn't read a book on space travel because it's not something I've ever had an interest in. I picked the book up for my husband. I'm certainly glad I opened it myself. I read one of the comments where the person thought that Chris Jones should stick to what he knows, sports. I think it's obvious that Chris IS sticking to what he knows, the heart and soul that fills a person up and pushes them to go for the impossible. He understands the human spirit and writes about it beautifully. Space travel is a huge, poetic, heroic, incredible achievement that somehow I viewed with a blase' attitude -- Ho-hum, man in space.... What was I thinking! Thanks to Chris I will now always view it with a lump in my throat and gratitude to the remarkable men and women who make it happen.

Cross-X: The Amazing True Story of How the Most Unlikely Team from the Most Unlikely of Places Overcame Staggering Obstacles at Home and at School to Challenge ... Community on Race, Power, and Education

Average customer rating:

Similar to 'The Game', but not about pickup artists
Not so fast!!!
Powerful tale of the fight to succeed despite racism
Strongly recommended for debaters, teachers, and teenagers
I Won a Round with Cross-X

Cross-X: The Amazing True Story of How the Most Unlikely Team from the Most Unlikely of Places Overcame Staggering Obstacles at Home and at School to Challenge ... Community on Race, Power, and Education
Joe Miller
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0374131945
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Book Description

In Cross-X, journalist Joe Miller follows the Kansas City Central High School’s debate squad through the 2002 season that ends with a top-ten finish at the national championships in Atlanta.

By almost all measures, Central is just another failing inner-city school. Ninety-nine percent of the students are minorities. Only one in three graduate. Test scores are so low that Missouri bureaucrats have declared the school “academically deficient.” But week after week, a crew of Central kids heads off to debate tournaments in suburbs across the Midwest and South, where they routinely beat teams from top-ranked schools. In a game of fast-talking, wit, and sheer brilliance, these students close the achievement gap between black and white students—an accomplishment that educators and policy makers across the country have been striving toward for years.

Here is the riveting and poignant story of four debaters and their coach as they battle formidable opponents from elite prep schools, bureaucrats who seem maddeningly determined to hold them back, friends and family who are mired in poverty and drug addiction, and—perhaps most daunting—their own self-destructive choices. In the end, Miller finds himself on a campaign to change debate itself, certain that these students from the Eastside of Kansas City may be the saviors of a game that is intrinsic to American democracy.

Customer Reviews:

Similar to 'The Game', but not about pickup artists.......2007-09-26

The premise of Cross-X is very similar to 'The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists' by Neil Strauss; a journalist decides to write a book. Joe Miller wrote it about a debater; Neil Strauss wrote it about himself. There are actually a few parallels in debate and pickup; there are rules and guidelines, some people obsess and know every little detail, it's considered a game by those who play it, etc.

So if you liked The Game for its writing, you'll like Cross-X. If you liked The Game for its subject matter, you'll probably be disapointed; Joe Miller is a cool dude, but he doesn't know NEAR as much about social dynamics as Neil Strauss.

Not so fast!!!.......2007-05-22

Aside from the questions of the politics of liberation in education and the difficulties of racial balance in urban schools, there are two inner conflicts at work in the context of this piece of reportage. The first has to do with the shift in practice in academic/policy debate from what could be called persuasive oratory - as the book presents it speeches designed to convince "Suzie's Mom" to a high speed delivery, multiple flow theoretical presentation designed for experts in the subject and style. The difference is a rate of delivery more than one and a half times that of most casual speech, laden with acronyms and jargon. And then there is the challenge to this. The second conlictis the competing areas:small schools vs. large consolidations, urban vs rural, public vs private. At the college and university level the regional organizations have almost disappeared. Debate is an endowed activity or a speciality ( sometimes for ideological reasons, one finds schools with agendas also tend to have debate programs). To really understand what goes on in this book, this inside knowledge is helpful.

So I warn, if you are not going to misread events, "What do you know about academic debate?" It is a complex world, the shifting forms of which are at work in this book: NFL (the original one), NCFL, TOC, CEDA, NDT as well as city, state and regional leagues and tournaments. At first blush it seems there are obvious nasties and obvious good guys, aspiring inner city youth and dedicated teachers, dullard administrators and power mad bureacrats. But you really need to know a bit more if you are going to truly understand this nationwide, multi linked and important activity. And it is important- the precentage of public figures with high school/college debate experience is not much less than the number of NFL (football one that is) players with highschool/college football experience. Miller portrays some empathetic individuals and some he can't stand, but it is vital that any reader be aware that this is advocacy journalism, much like the advocacy debate he is pushing for in the book. Many of the "enemies" are there because of principle not laziness or self interest. The history of debate, changing from the persuasive oratory of the sixties to the speed delivered ethos of the seventies, to the pedagogy of liberation theory influenced rhetoric in the eighties has morphed to performance activity and has filtered from colleges down to high school. Those presented as standing in the way, may in many cases be standing against the educational ideas of Pauolo Freire and Jonathon Kozol and in favor of rather traditional, non deconstructive rhetorical theory.

Mr Miller's book is told from the experience of African-American students in an inner city high school. One must consider why a student is involved in what is admittedly a highly competetive activity. His advocacy reminds me of the alternative of being highly successful in the "game" chosen by one of my outstanding students who said concerning Ebonics, "This little brown girl knows if she is going to take care of herself in this world she better know when to write 'I am' and when 'I Be.'" This is the problem of privliging of a discourse. Mr. Miller( and the performance school) do not acknowledge that within a context or ethos certain discourse is privleged and to act differently is to invite retribution. We are educated to do and not to do a number of acts. And here is the rub, what is truly discriminatory, and is the debilitating effect of any discrimination best fought on a personal or organizational basis. The argument goes on and on.

Powerful tale of the fight to succeed despite racism.......2007-02-03

Cross-X by Joe Miller covers about a year in the lives of several students from Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri as they travel on the debate team. They face racism, infighting from the state activities board, and the choices made by their own family. Miller does an amazing job taking this story and making it accessible to all readers. The stories of Ebony, Marcus, Antoine, and Brandon are poignant stories of survival. These black teenagers compete against white kids from private schools and win because of their quick wit and determination to win. Miller completely changed my ideas about debate: what it is and what it stands for. He includes a history of Central High School, a flashpoint in the controversy over Brown vs. Board of Education and also the site of an astronomically expensive renovation to encourage white families to move to the district. Instead these teens have to face ambivalent teachers, tough home lives, and peer pressure in an environment that expects them to fail. The story ultimately becomes about racism and the right to be different. The only disappointment in the book is when Miller inserts himself into the story by becoming a coach to two of the boys. As an objective observer, Miller was able to narrate a tale showing all of the different sides to these young men. As an active participant, he becomes strident as he attempts to be their savior. As such, the ending is a bit of a let-down. The book exposes the deep differences between black and white education and points out that we need to make a change so that all children have the same opportunities for education so they can succeed. It opened my eyes to the incipient racism in schools today.

Strongly recommended for debaters, teachers, and teenagers.......2007-01-28

I think that Cross-X may be one of the best non-academic education-related books that I have ever read. I want to recommend it to everyone. The book's got a lot of things that make it great: nailbiting suspense (during the descriptions of intense debate competitions), depressing history (about farcical desegregation efforts in Kansas City), highly detailed character portraits (when delving into the histories and quirks of the main characters and their families), musings on journalist ethics (when the author Joe Miller [no relation, by the way] realizes that he's becoming personally involved in the story) and reflections on the nature of racism (throughout the entire book).

As a debate teacher, many of the details about inner-city schools, their students, and the students' parents rang true to me -- and Joe Miller's self-critiques about his perceptions of the debaters and their backgrounds also rang true.

This book is so fascinating that I carried it with me everywhere so I could keep reading and find out what happens next. Usually when I do that with books, they're well-written works of fiction with detailed characters and amazing plot twists; the real-life story that Joe Miller tells is every bit as captivating as the best fiction.

I Won a Round with Cross-X.......2007-01-10

I bought this book for my daughter, who teaches in an inner city high school, after hearing it reviewed on NPR. She has loved it! The book addresses two areas very dear to her heart: high school debate and American race relations. Since I have not read the book myself, I can only tell you that it was a winner with my daughter (an educational award-winner herself).

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Revised Edition (Story ... the World: History for the Classical Child)

Average customer rating:

Not for younger children
One of the best children's narratives on the market
Liked the format and presentation - not the facts
It's OK, but I'm wishing for more
Excellent Book

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Revised Edition (Story ... the World: History for the Classical Child)
Susan Wise Bauer
Manufacturer: Peace Hill Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1933339004

Book Description

What terrible secret was buried in Shi Huangdi's tomb? Did nomads like lizard stew? What happened to Anansi the Spider in the Village of the Plantains? And how did a six-year-old become the last emperor of Rome?

Told in a straightforward, engaging style that has become Susan Wise Bauer's trademark, The Story of the World series covers the sweep of human history from ancient times until the present. Africa, China, Europe, the Americas—find out what happened all around the world in long-ago times. This first revised volume begins with the earliest nomads and ends with the last Roman emperor. Newly revised and updated, The Story of the World, Volume 1 includes maps, a new timeline, more illustrations, and additional parental aids.

This read-aloud series is designed for parents to share with elementary-school children. Enjoy it together and introduce your child to the marvelous story of the world's civilizations.

Customer Reviews:

Not for younger children.......2007-09-27

Now, keep in mind that I have not read the book and have no idea how good it is for older children. This is specifically for younger children. I bought this book to read aloud to my 5 year old thinking it would be a fun way to introduce her to ancient cultures in our homeschool. Boy, was I surprised when it arrived and it was just a normal sized paperback with no pictures! It is not something that any but the most cerebral 5 year old would sit through. So it will sit on my shelf collecting dust until she is ready for it. Also, considering that it is just a paperback with no pictures it is really not worth the price even for older kids. Maybe grab it from your local library, but don't buy it.

One of the best children's narratives on the market.......2007-08-17

In my mind, S. Wise Bauer has attempted and succeeded: She has made history fun again. The children reading (or listening to) the books will not be writing a dissertation based upon what she has written-- but they will be inclined to pick up another history book, and another... Her writing will get them thinking and talking about history beyond dates.

That's why I like this series. I believe some of the negative reviewers have lost site of the purpose: To engage readers on an elementary level. If readers are following the classical model, they will see more detailed information about the events again (probably twice). This first go round just provides a point of reference for later study.

Examining historical events does not begin and end with one book or source. A true historian will pull together many resources in order to form a composite.

In defense of Bauer's writing, I think that some reviewers are expecting a grammar stage history "holy grail" of some sort. I have yet to find one. Every history book has it's pros and cons. In my mind, this one has more pros than cons.

Bauer does not claim to be the final resource or authority for grammar stage world history. As a matter of fact, she provides extensive lists of additional resources in her other books, like the Well Trained Mind and in the companion workbook. This is the main reason I give this book 4 stars. I wish I could give 4.5. Perhaps an abbreviated version of the resource lists should be included in each volume as an appendix if it is going to stand alone.

Overall, I think it's great for what it aims to do: spark discussion and develop life long learners.

Liked the format and presentation - not the facts.......2007-06-27

I was looking for a history book as I homeschool my daughter. I was very happy with the workbook format and projects as well as history presented in chronological order. As I am not a history scholar, I was enjoying learning the history along with my daughter up until I was reading her chapter on Christianity. Being a Christian who has studied much of the bible, I am familiar with a good amount of these facts. Some of the facts she presents are so wrong that now I question many of the facts she presents from other cultures. If you are looking for an easy read and presentation of different cultures this book is good. I will continue thru the series as I do like certain things about it, however, I am now aware of its weakness and will use other books to supplement the fact presented so the information will be more accurate.

It's OK, but I'm wishing for more.......2007-03-22

My expectations for this book were too high, based on some reviews, although I was worried about comments about inaccuracies. I found it disappointing.

I think what I react against is that this book is just one of many which seem to say the only ancient history that's at all important is what happened in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. There is a chapter on India and a chapter on China, but they are hat-tipping kinds of chapters that don't give the awesome breadth of those amazing cultures. And I was super disappointed with the chapter on the Americas. Mexico, according to this book's geography, is part of Central America. North Americans are all termed nomads, as if they were wandering around aimlessly instead of in the amazing variety of communities that they really lived in - some villages, some awesome cities, and others who didn't settle in permanent villages still had definite territories they exploited.

There is actually more material given on characters of the Bible, which are not labelled as from the Bible but treated as actual historical characters, than there is on the ancient Americas, or ancient China for that matter.

This really doesn't seem to be the story of the world, but the story of western civilization, with a smattering of other cultures thrown in as an afterthought.

Excellent Book.......2007-03-15

This is a great book for kids and I also loved it! The activity book is excellent too.

Far from Home (Children of the Promise/Dean Hughes, Vol 3)

Average customer rating:

Hmmm.. this one gets a little slow
Give in . . . just buy the whole series!
This Book was Excellent
The story keeps getting better.
which book is the best

Far from Home (Children of the Promise/Dean Hughes, Vol 3)
Dean Hughes
Manufacturer: Deseret Book Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1573454060

Customer Reviews:

Hmmm.. this one gets a little slow.......2006-02-04

I loved the first two in this series but havn't been able to get through this one. Somehow the story just slows down. After the one boy gets married and the other dies, two of the main charecters are settled and I stopped caring as much about them. I guess I should try again since I liked the other ones.

Give in . . . just buy the whole series!.......2005-02-14

Take my advice, just buy the whole series now. As I turned the last page of this book, I jumped up, ran down to the store and bought Volume 4. I was late to this series, hearing people rave about it for several years before I purchased the first one. Now I can't put them down. In Far From Home, Alex is still fighting the Nazis, holding down a command and wondering daily how he will survive and keep his men safe. Wally is still a prisoner war in the infamous Japanese P.O.W. camps. As his health violently deterioates, and the torture exceeds what he believes he is able to withstand, he wonders how he will make it to the next day, let alone to freedom at the end of the war. As the other family members face their hardships, we are once again drawn so deeply into this family we feel they are our family. Another brilliant job by Dean Hughes. Go ahead, click the BUY NOW button and save yourself the trouble of waiting for these books to come one at a time.

This Book was Excellent.......2003-10-30

The third book of the series Children of the Promis is called Far From Home. The author, Dean Hughes, wrote an excellent book. I like it because it contained several different point of views during Word War Two. Also, Hughes writes in a way that lets you know exactly what each character is thinking and what tribulation they are going through. The author stated that even though the characters didn't really exist, the events really did take place. Even down to the simplest detail. For example, when the family goes to see a specific movie, the show was actually playing at that period of time.
The Thomas family are natives of Salt Lake City. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are running a weapons plant. It gets busier and the work more strenuous. They have to keep working while trying to raise a 15-year-old, Larue, struggling to be more independent from her parents. Alex, the first son, has paratrooped into Germany. He tells the struggles of dealing with the cold and death. Alex had served a religious mission in Germany previously, and is having difficulties fighting against the people he loves. Bobbi's the next oldest. She's a nurse in the Navy at Pearl Harbor. She's waiting to hear from Richard, her boyfriend, when she learns of his ship sinking. Bobbi doesn't know what she will do if her love never returns. Next, Wally is a prisoner of war in the Phillipines. He strives to emotionally fight the hatred between the Japanese and his standards for not hating his others. While also striving to stay alive, to go home someday. Last of all is Henry Stoltz. Alex taught him and his family on his mission. So he's a friend of the family. He is back in germany working for the British Intelligence, looking for his son Peter who got lost during a refugee escape. Henry's wife and daughter are in London waiting for any news of him or Peter.
I enjoyed this book very much and I am eagerly waiting for an opportunity to read the next in the series. Again, the author has a great knowledge of everything that went on during World War Two. He wrote excellently on each of the characters and their individual trials.

The story keeps getting better........2002-10-16

I'm amazed at how Dean Hughes keeps these books so interesting. By the time you finish this book, you will have read something like 1300+ pages of the same story, yet its still such an amazing one, and the interest level only increases. This series is the best of any that I have ever read. Volume # 3 involves some of the worst times of the war, and the suffering is painful to read at times, yet it is such a blessing to know the sacrafices of those who lived during those times.

which book is the best.......2000-09-27

Hughes writes a great book children of the promise, but i don't he is any better than Lund because i loved The work and the Glory they are both good books.

The Story of the World Activity Book Four: The Modern Age: From Victoria's Empire to the End of the USSR

Average customer rating:

A Poor Addition to a Great Series
Disappointed in lack of work for younger students....
dissapointed

The Story of the World Activity Book Four: The Modern Age: From Victoria's Empire to the End of the USSR

Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0972860355

Book Description

This comprehensive activity book/curriculum guide contains all you need to make modern history come alive for your child!

Don't just read about history—experience it! Designed to turn The Story of the World, Volume 4 into a complete history program, this activity book provides comprehension questions and answers, sample narrations, maps and geography activities, coloring pages, lists of additional history and literature readings, and many hands-on learning activities, all designed for grades 2-5.

Customer Reviews:

A Poor Addition to a Great Series.......2007-09-21

While the books are very good, these activity books are written/developed for a much younger crowd. Fine if you are using them for elementary students in a home school environment. Not very challenging or invigorating for a child that can read the book by themselves.

Disappointed in lack of work for younger students...........2006-11-12

I have never written a review before, but felt compelled to for this book. We are in our 4th year of using Story of the World and have always loved it. The activity book to volume 4 is a huge disappointment to me because of the lack of reading list suggestions for the lower grades. My favorite thing about Story of the World is that I have been able to easily present it to a variety of grade levels (I currently teach 6th, 4th and 2nd and K). The past activity books have allowed me to get books at each child's level (without having to go search them out myself). They have also provided pictures and coloring activities for the younger students, all of which allowed me to easily tailor the chapter's work to each child. This activity book will be very nice for my older children, but will leave me doing extra work for my younger ones (a prospect I am not looking forward to). My expectations were that this activity book would provide the same type of materials and activities as the first three. This book falls far of meeting my expectations. I am dissappointed that the authors decided to make what I see as a fundamental change in this last book of the series.

dissapointed.......2006-02-26

The prior three activity books have been a great addition to our homeschooling, but this activity book vol 4 was a huge dissapointment. It contains mostly maps. We get plenty of maps in the reading book. This looks to be more appropriate for older grades. It is not as useful for the younger grades which was the benefit of her other books, they were great for all levels. Not this one.

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 4: The Modern Age: From Victoria's Empire to the End of the USSR

Average customer rating:

An Excellent World History Primer
History for children
Great Book
My son loves this series
best history I have used

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 4: The Modern Age: From Victoria's Empire to the End of the USSR
S. Wise Bauer
Manufacturer: Peace Hill Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0972860339

Book Description

Discover the marvelous stories of the world's modern nations with the newest volume of this read-aloud series.

Where was the Crystal Palace? Who was the Sick Man of Europe? And how did cow fat start a revolution?

Now more than ever, other countries and customs affect our everyday lives—and our children need to learn about the people who live all around the world. Susan Wise Bauer has provided a captivating guide to the history of modern nations all around the world. Written in an engaging, straightforward manner, the final volume of the popular Story of the World series weaves world history into a storybook format, covering major historical events in the years 1850-2000. From the Middle East and China to Africa and the Americas—find out what happened all around the world in the last century and a half. Designed as a read-aloud project for parents and children to share together, The Story of the World includes the stories of each continent and people group.

Customer Reviews:

An Excellent World History Primer.......2007-09-21

There is no doubt that this series is well written. My son read each of the four books in the span of less than a week. They really piqued his interest. These books will let you know what really turns on your child, but you'll need to go on for further, more in-depth review.

Can't recommend this series enough for the pre-teen set!

History for children.......2007-09-04

This was a good review for elementary children. It is not an in-depth study of any point in particular but it is an excellent overview of historical events. It is easy reading and gives information that makes history come alive. However, it is not a history book, which is why it is such good reading and a wonderful overview. If you want a lot of information about a particular event or time, then you need an additional text.

Great Book.......2007-03-31

This history book is amazing. It has rich words, very well written and it make history fun and exciting.Don't listen to those people who gave a small amount of stars, this book is great and I srongly recomend it.

My son loves this series.......2006-12-12

My son started with Book 1 of this series on audio and eagerly listened to the CDs over and over. He honestly knows way more about history and geography than anyone I know (including adults). His greatest loves are maps, geography, history, and military battles and equipment due to The Story of the World. This series has prompted a 9 year old boy to read scholarly tomes from the library and bookstore on those topics and now he eagerly watches the military and history channels. He is already planning on going to Annapolis and has commited to becomming an Eagle Scout to help him get into the naval academy. We never actually used the activity books, but I bought them (at his insistence) and he has used them independently. At this time he is begging me for the new Book 4 activity guide because it has tons of maps! Another great resource is Geography Songs.

best history I have used.......2006-03-24

If you are teaching more than one age group I couldn't recomend a better history curriculum. I have 5 kids from 6yrs to 16. We all use the same book for history. I read aloud to the kids who can't read yet or who would rather listen. If you want to use this you will also need to buy the Activity Book. It includes lots of things to do for each subject including a list of books to read for older kids. I realy like the receipes for each time period.

Every Room Tells a Story: Tales from the Pages of Nest Magazine

Average customer rating:

Nest helped me to appreciate both jails and castles
Displeased
A disappointment
Every Room Tells a Story: Tales from ... Nest Magazine
I recommend this book very highly

Every Room Tells a Story: Tales from the Pages of Nest Magazine
Julie Alvarez , Michael Cunningham , Charles D'Ambrosio , Reverend Peter Gomes , David Plante , Muriel Spark , and Carl Skoggard
Manufacturer: D.A.P./Distributed Art Publishers, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Rooms

ASIN: 1891024280
Release Date: 2001-09-02

Book Description

Description: Every Room Tells a Story offers the most interesting and provocative interiors published to date in the first 12 issues of the widely acclaimed interiors and design magazine, nest. Called, among other things, "Homes and Gardens for the decadent and deranged" (Wallpaper), the special chemistry of nest brings it all under one roof: not only David Mlinaric's interiors for the Rothschild home at Waddesdon Manor, Gabhan O'Keeffe's redecoration of Sao Schlumberger's Paris apartment, a recreation of Louis Comfort Tiffany's lost designs for the White House Blue Room, but also an Inuit igloo, the tents of Tibetan nomads, a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine, and women's prison cells. And because process is as interesting as result, Editor in Chief and Art Director Joseph Holtzman takes readers behind the scenes and shares the way his unique features are hatched and achieve adulthood. The book includes photography and text by more than 50 of the magazine's contributors, as well as examples of specially commissioned design projects: a flipbook by Matt Groening, a flocked wallpaper by Rosemarie Trockel, a chair by Tom Sachs, and a textile by Todd Oldham. Every Room Tells a Story will be a must for all fans of the magazine, and will also introduce its one-of-a-kind sensibility to the uninitiated.

Customer Reviews:

Nest helped me to appreciate both jails and castles.......2004-07-03

Having been lucky enough to spend one week in a "deep-South" county jail for hitch hiking on expressways (back in the 70's) ... then released with no charge! I loved the Nest article on the cells. I bought Nest for our guests in Chateau-Bois-Briand because of its sophistication and originality. Most of our guests are "road-warriors" and "trouble-shooters" who enjoy reading this kind of books, sipping a Cognac next to the fire-place in a 600-years old castle.
Viewpoints and pictures are so unusual that you never get bored. Nest is a reference. This is why I would advise to buy it, either as a magazine or as a book like this one. You will never throw it away.

Displeased.......2004-01-13

Had Amazon allowed me to preview even a single page from inside the book, I never would have bought it. A curiosity, a novelty, a cultural speciman, it may be. But as far removed from helpful or even interesting as one can get.

A disappointment.......2003-03-06

Poorly designed, nothing more than reprints of selected pages from each issue. If Nest is going to do a book, I want to see a "Nest"-y type book featuring the same wit and creativity that characterizes the magazine, not some self-congratulatory, half-baked reprint. Buy the back issues instead, don't waste your money.

Every Room Tells a Story: Tales from ... Nest Magazine.......2002-06-15

Holtzman is the John Waters of interior design: ironic, iconoclastic, an impresario of the outrageous. His publication is die-cut and drilled (I thought Grant Mudford was going to punch him out for piercing his images when the two met at an LA reception for nest) but never dull. This editor has progressed far beyond conventional notions of good taste, juxtaposing stately homes and prison cells, trailers and Carlo MollinoÕs Turin apartment in a surreal collision of styles. As a minimalist I put down this book with a shudderÑthe riotous excess brought on an attack of claustrophobiaÑbut others may love it. (Michael Webb is the book reviewer for LA Architect magazine.)

I recommend this book very highly.......2002-02-10

Nest has been a true godsend in the otherwise discouraging world of disposable-vehicle-for-consumption magazines. Not only does nest have more visual appeal than the slickest of fashion or design magazines, it also has content: articles ranging from the scholarly to the surreal, but always well-written; photography by the likes of nan goldin and richard barnes. Anyone who is interested in architecture, design, photography, or simply the peculiarities of human behavior- in fact, anyone who is interested in anything at all- would enjoy reading nest.
For those who don't know the magazine, this book is a great introduction to the first twelve issues. And for those who are already fans or even devotees, the book provides wonderful insights into the design and editorial process of the magazine's creators. It also contains material from the first issue, which is impossible to find used.
This book will inform, educate, entertain and astonish you. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 2: The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance, Revised Edition ... the World: History for the Classical Child)

Average customer rating:

An Excellent World History Primer
Great Homeschool Material for Classical Learning
History for children
the story of the world
See other review

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 2: The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance, Revised Edition ... the World: History for the Classical Child)
Susan Wise Bauer
Manufacturer: Peace Hill Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1933339098

Book Description

This read-aloud series is designed for parents to share with elementary-school children. Enjoy it together and introduce your child to the marvelous story of the world's civilizations.

Now more than ever, other cultures are affecting our everyday lives—and our children need to learn about the other countries of the world and their history. Susan Wise Bauer has provided a captivating guide to the history of other lands. Written in an engaging, straightforward manner, this revised edition of The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 2: The Middle Ages weaves world history into a story book format. Who discovered chocolate? What happened to the giant Fovor of the Mighty Blows? Why did the Ottoman Turks drag their war ships across dry land?

The Story of the World covers the sweep of human history from ancient times until the present. Africa, China, Europe, the Americas—find out what happened all around the world in long-ago times. Designed as a read-aloud project for parents and children to share together, The Story of the World includes each continent and major people group. Volume 2: The Middle Ages, is the second of a four-volume series and covers the major historical events in the years 400 to 1600 CE, as well as including maps, illustrations, and tales from each culture.

Customer Reviews:

An Excellent World History Primer.......2007-09-21

Great Homeschool Material for Classical Learning.......2007-09-12

This is a great history curriculm for homeschoolers doing classical education or not. The material is listed very well and very user freindly for the facilitator. Highly recommended.

History for children.......2007-09-04

Was an excellent review. It is designed for parents to read with their children. It provides a good overview of major events in history as well as other information that makes history fun for children, such as recounting folk tales. However, it is a watered-down version of history...it does not go into details about anything in particular so if you are looking for something in depth about something specific, then you need an additional source.

the story of the world.......2007-08-23

See other review.......2007-07-24

See my review for Vol. 1 as the concerns expressed towards that book apply to this as well.

The Story of the World: Activity Book 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Third Edition

Average customer rating:

What a wonderful way to teach kids history!
Great Time Saver
I Wish I'd Bought This Sooner!
An excellent resource
Good point

The Story of the World: Activity Book 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Third Edition
Susan Wise Bauer
Manufacturer: Peace Hill Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1933339055

Book Description

This comprehensive activity book and curriculum guide contains all you need to make history come alive for your child!

Don't just read about history—experience it! Color a picture of a Minoan bull-jumper, make a model of the Nile River, create Roman armor and Celtic jewelry and more. Designed to turn the accompanying book The Story of the World, Volume 1: Ancient Times into a complete history program, this Activity Book provides you with comprehension questions and answers, coloring pages, lists of additional readings in history and literature, and plenty of simple, hands-on activities—all designed for grades 1-4.

Customer Reviews:

What a wonderful way to teach kids history!.......2007-09-25

We homeschool our 5 and 6 year old children. We haven't had a real history book yet, but I wanted to try sparking interest in history for them early. When I read Susan Wise Bauer's "The Well-Trained Mind" a guide for classical education at home, she suggested this book so I checked the reviews.

I just bought the first volume, but will be buying the rest of them as we go forward. I think the activity book is an absolute MUST HAVE to accompany the book. My kids have been interested in the way she writes, they remember the stories well, and I especially appreciate the pronounciation guide she gives in the back of the book. I couldn't begin to pronounce some of these names or places-thank goodness for the extra "help".

I look ahead to the next chapter and reserve the books at our library that she recommends to supplement that lesson. That way, there are other resources to amplify their learning. I love the review questions, maps, and coloring pages. It gets my 5 year old involved too.

All of Susan Wise Bauer's books are wonderful. I just keep adding to my collection. Most of all, the kids are loving their education at home-with me!

Great Time Saver.......2007-06-29

I guess we could all put together enough coloring and activities to go along with Story of the World Vol. 1, but some of us have other things to do. My kids enjoyed the activities. We certainly didn't do all of them and we tended to go with the more hands on. The Nile Delta was a big hit as was the pyramid. The instructions were simple enough to be adapted if we needed to do that... I see that as a plus. My kids are not into coloring, but there were plenty of other ideas to choose from. I am sure that your kids might get bored if you had them do EVERY SINGLE THING, but as a former classroom teacher, I recognize a resource that is well thought out and designed to appeal to a variety of learning styles.

I Wish I'd Bought This Sooner!.......2007-06-21

We bought "The Story of the World" book one last year, but didn't buy the activity book until this year. Big mistake! Although our girls were enjoying listening as we read aloud from the book, adding the activities has made it so much better. There are coloring pages about each chapter for them to work on while we read and then fun activities and games when they are done. We've made simple costumes in under 10 minutes, paper dolls, photo copied and played the board games, and read through the review questions. The review questions really help us to know how much they understood from the chapter. Our whole family is learning so much about history!

An excellent resource.......2007-05-17

I bought the workbook for my 9-year-old daughter, to go alone with the "textbook" and it's been an informative and interesting addition to our homeschooling library. I've even used some of the worksheets (the maps in particular) with my older son. Bauer included a lot of helpful information on ways to integrate the lessons into larger activities. It is well-organized and very useful.

Good point.......2007-05-12

The book made some ggod points I think I will check the book a well trained mind.

Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home

Average customer rating:

Review of Dear Children of Earth
Great book for adults and older children
A GREAT Book - Helps Children (Heck, and whoever reads it!) To Appreciate and Care for the Earth and What Nature has Given Us
This Book was Very Warm and Touching
this is a great book

Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home
Schim Schimmel
Manufacturer: Northword Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1559712252

Book Description

by Schim Schimmel Mother Earth writes a letter to the children of our planet encouraging environmentalism. Powerful acrylic paintings compliment the gentle text.

Customer Reviews:

Review of Dear Children of Earth.......2007-05-22

Again, a wonderful book that tells a great story about how everything connects to this world. A definate must have!

Great book for adults and older children.......2006-08-08

I loved the pictures in this book. It has a great message I can appreciate and want to teach my child. Yet it didn't win my 5 year old son's heart. He dosen't really like it nor does he want to read it again. To my disapointment, he has rejected it. Although since reading the book, he does randomly say under his breath, "The Earth is our home." Thats as far as the book has gone. I think it would be better for older kids.

A GREAT Book - Helps Children (Heck, and whoever reads it!) To Appreciate and Care for the Earth and What Nature has Given Us.......2006-04-26

My 8 y/o daughter had read this book at school and she couldn't stop talking about it. She said how she LOVED the artwork and how wonderful the story was. So we went to the public library here in town and got a copy of it and she read it to me that night and what can I say? -Everything she said about it is true! This story and the artwork in it spoke to my child's heart and I believe those kinds of books (the ones that really speak to the heart) are the best for kids because it makes reading exciting for them and teaches them a new/different way of looking at things. I had never heard of Schim Schimmel until a few days ago but I do know that I will be buying many of his books for my daughter. I highly recommend this book.

This Book was Very Warm and Touching.......2002-10-11

Hi! My name is Jacqueline. For all you people out there who like touching stories and animals, boy do I have the right book series for you. Well, there is this really cool author named Schim Schimmel. Here is one of his books, Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home. It is about how Mother Earth and the animals that live there need you. Here are two of his sentences in the book, "My children, when my people do a little thing to me, it becomes a big thing. So it is very important for each person to stop doing things that hurt me, or hurt their sister and brother animals." The book is a very touching and heartwarming story. It made me feel like the animals were my friends. It is very easy to read. I would recommend it to five year olds and up. I only read two books. I hope you read all of them. I can't tell you any more but you can find out!

this is a great book.......2002-05-19

bought this for my son. a great way to teach kids to respect and take care of Mother Earth. illustrations are absolutely beautiful and the text is easy to read. one of my son's favorite books.

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