After I wrote my 5 part series on Choosing a Great History Program for your Family, I had many people ask me why I had not recommended Mystery of History. I had mentioned in my article that I hadn't looked at it enough to give it my whole hearted stamp of approval. Funny, two days later I received my review copy. I gave it a perusal and this was my reply to the folks who took the time to write to me:
Thank you for writing. I just received my review copy of Mystery of History, two days after I put together the audio for the website. As I took some time to peruse the first volume, I was struck by something unusual. Its strength is also its weakness! It is an all-in-one-volume, you-don't-need-anything-else kind of book. This makes it simple, sleek, easy to use and comprehensive. It also leaves you as the teacher without the need to incorporate living books into your history studies. I think that it would be all too easy to just do the work in the manual and leave out the reading of historical literature, biographies and plain old fascinating historical fiction. This removes a critical aspect of history study, in my own opinion.
I think that as long as you realize that this has been left out and make some adjustments to the program by reading aloud or assigning some historical texts, biographies and literature alongside the volumes, you will have a great program to follow and use. This will also allow you to get different "takes" on the same historical events. Again, I believe this is essential when studying history because we cannot trust one person to interpret all of history for us. The author has an extremely good understanding of historical events and the sovereignty of God, but we must be careful when we only listen to one, unless of course, it is the One. I hope that this makes sense.
I realize that Mystery of History is a favorite of many, but I just ask that you use caution when following this type of a course of study written from one author's perspective without the addition of living books. Living books written by other authors that are passionate about their subject matter provide a second look at the same material giving our students more to think about and grapple with. This is especially important when they reach the logic and rhetoric stages of learning. Still, filter everything that you read through the grid of scripture, but enjoy the voices of many historians when you study this subject we call history.
Then, I posted this "addendum" to my article on the website: www.knowledgequestmaps.com/history.htm, never once believing that this was a full fledged review. It was just a brief note of encouragement and caution for this particular curriculum.
Well, now I really have the emails flooding in. Some have taken offense to this assessment, others have thanked me for helping them see what needed to be added for a well rounded program, still others accusing me of not giving a proper review.
It's funny that people think I am somehow obligated to endorse a certain program. I never said Mystery of History wasn't good a good choice, I never said you shouldn't use it. I mere gave my cautionary warning to add "living books" to the text. I was also gently nudged that there is a reading list in the back. I'm am glad to know that and am glad that someone pointed this out to me.
Did anyone else want to make any comments? This is a good forum to do so. Take care and have a great evening!
Terri | 
Posted by 
Posted by
Jul. 13, 2006 - Untitled Comment