Jul. 28, 2009 - Omnibus III Book List
I am in the throes of planning the coming school year. One of my favourite subjects is a history/literature/world view course called Omnibus. We have done the first and second book and are about to embark on the third: Reformation to the Present. The problem with any all-encompassing history program for this period is always that it is written by Americans, primarily for Americans. In other words, there is a large American content and a striking lack of Canadian content.
So my problem is this: Which books should I exclude simply because we don’t have time to spend on all the American content, and what should I add to include Canadian content?
The reason this is so difficult is because all the books included in Omnibus III are worthy of study. I truly hate to leave any out. However, I feel the need to keep a balance on the history component of our studies, and while I’m willing for us to spend 2 years on this course that will still require some limiting of the literature we cover!
So here is my public plea: If anyone who reads this is doing or has done Omnibus III, please leave a comment about the books you covered and why they were worth keeping or not. I am of course particularly interested in the opinions of Canadians who have added Canadian content and perhaps cut some of the American content, but I am also interested to hear what Americans have to say about some of the books I’m considering dropping. Perhaps you know a good reason to keep it in, or perhaps you can tell me that it is wholly American history and one that we could probably skip. Even if you didn’t use the Omnibus text as a guide, I would still love to hear what books have been worthwhile (and not) for your high schoolers to study.
Some of the books I am considering skipping are:
Of Plymouth Plantation
Anti-Federalist Papers
Federalist Papers
Benjamin Franklin Autobiography
Lincoln Speeches and Writings
Killer Angels (I’m considering The Red Badge of Courage instead)
Some of the books I’m considering adding for Canadian Content:
The Call of the Wild
Roughing it in The Bush
A Short History of Canada
A Military History of Canada
Portions of Winston Churchill’s History of the English Speaking Peoples
Some books I’d like to add just because they’re worthwhile…again, we will be taking 2 years for this course!
Treasure Island
Count of Monte Cristo and/or The Man in the Iron Mask
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Red Badge of Courage
The Scarlet Letter
To Kill a Mockingbird
Robinson Crusoe
Lord of the Flies
The Screwtape Letters
The Importance of Being Ernest
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Taming of the Shrew
Hamlet
How Now Shall We Live
Oliver Twist
As you look at this lengthy add-on list, please keep in mind that the books we study without the aid of the Omnibus text will probably be read more quickly as I won’t have as many assignments to give as the text has. Also, one of the reasons for some of the additions is the fact that I wanted some books specifically for my son. He is a voracious reader, but to say he hates writing is a gross understatement. He has balked for the past two years at the Omnibus assignments, so I want to be sure to include some books he can really sink his teeth into – like the Count of Monte Cristo and Robinson Crusoe – in order to give him something interesting to offset some of the more “girl” oriented books we’ll be doing (like Pride and Prejudice).
Thanks in advance for any comments as to your successes, failures and suggestions!
Comments
Aug. 27, 2009 - We used Omnibus III....
Posted by Anonymous
DON'T SKIP:
Of Plymouth Plantation. It's your history, too. And seeing how these brave souls tried to set up a new way of living in a strange world.... from scratch, so to speak... was informative. Especially don't skip that they TRIED communism, and it didn't work (yes, this early in history!) Lincoln's speeches and writings, as well, speak to all humanity, not just Americans.
You can skip Franklin.
I added De Tocqueville's "Memoir on Pauperism." You might also consider Willa Cather's "Shadows on the Rock" for Canadian historical fiction.
Aug. 27, 2009 - Thank you!
Posted by teabaglady
I wish you'd left a link so I could be sure you saw my thank you, but hopefully you'll pop back by. Both books you recommended look excellent. I am going to see if I can find them and take a closer look.
Thanks also for your recommendations regarding the Omnibus books. I will definitely take your thoughts into consideration.
