Choices for those needing Oxford First Ancient History

Can anyone here tell me the difference between, Usborne Internet of the Ancient World and Usborne Book of the Ancient World, and the Oxford First Ancient History Encylopedia?  I am just trying to find an alternative until something is decided to republish it or not, Thanks

Debij

As of last week, my US Oxford contact is still waiting to hear from her UK Oxford contact.

I’m telling you this so you can get a chuckle at my expense – I bought it on Amazon in Feb for $70 because I figured it would be worth it for so many years of history and everytime I looked at it, it seemed to go up another $20.00. The delivery date came and no book so I bought another one for $36.00 and contacted the first seller, who promptly refunded my money.  Today I checked the mail and both of them were in my mailbox!  ARGHHH!  Now I have to return the one and it is killing me because everyone on here needs one!  Although, I ended up saving money… =) 

I was interupted last night by my 3 year and didn’t finish my post – and here she is again!  I swear she has a very fine tuned, built-in radar for me and the computer!  =)

What I was trying to say last night was that if you use the rotation twice, you are using the book for 6 years, and even at the 3 year mark, if you divide the price out, $10-15 year for a spine is not a bad price.   6 years of course lowers the cost further.  I was just on Amazon and they have 5 used ones for less then $60.00 (start at $44.95 on the used) right now that are in good-very good condition.  It might be worth checking out again…

Debij – i have the Oxford book and the Usborne Internet-Linked Ancient World book.  For CM friendly, it is the Oxford book.  The chapters cover a subject well and with some detail (but not tedious) and pictures both real and drawn.  The Usborne book is a bunch of illustrations with the facts by them.  For example, the Oxford took several pages to explain how the early people learned to farm and settle towns, also using illustrations laid out in traditional book style.  The Uborne took one page for farming and one page for towns, but at least 1/2 the page is used for colored illustration, it makes it look a little more hodge-podge.  Having said that, both are covering the same material…also, the internet links look really cool.  It has a link to  uncover the mysteries of Catal Huyuk, the largest of the early towns, and has a virtual reality pitures of two shrine rooms. It also talks about Jericho and shows illustrations of the homes, walls and an old skull they found there.   Both the towns and illustrations were on one page if that helps get a visual. I was actually planning on using both, the Usborne would be my supplemental.  Especially, if your child is younger anyway, I think that you could get by with the Usborne. 

I also have the Usborne Internet-Linked Medival World and it seems to be the same vein.  I also have The Usborne Internet-Linked Introduction to Asia.  (My friend gave me all the Usborne books – I’m very grateful to her) I think that you would cover the same material, just from a slightly different place (not as much detail?)  We start our first history rotation next week.  I’ll let you know what the kids and I think.

HTH Sheila

Sonya – any news from Oxford UK? 

I’m just pondering whether to wait to hear anything or if I should go ahead and buy a used copy. 

Quick correction: the Usborne books do not have a lot of detail information in them.  As we have progressed, I have used it more as a way to show some pictures of the things that we are reading about in the Oxford book. 

I have used Linda’s list of chapters and subheadings for the Oxford book and wrote in the Lesson Numbers used for each chapter.  The reason I did this is because we all want to make sure that we don’t miss something.  By having the chapter subject/lesson numbers on one sheet of paper, I thought that it would help those of you who don’t have the book find appropriate subustitute titles until you can obtain the Oxford book.  I have that list for all three ancients, and if you PM me I will send it to you.

I originally ordered this book from their website too. However, when I called to find out why I hadn’t received any shipping notice, they informed me that it is out of print and is no longer available. My credit card was never charged. There have been several other moms on SCM that ordered this same book directly from Oxford Press and never received it. You may want to call and confirm that it is available and will be shipped. Otherwise you may be waiting for something that will never come. I was so disappointed when I found out that it wasn’t being shipped and I had to start my search all over again. However, I did find a used copy through Abe Books for a great price. I received it within a week and it was in awesome condition. The best part was that I didn’t have to spend an arm and a leg for it. Hopefully this all works out for you.

Tammy