history spines

A spine is a book that covers a lot of people, places, and events from a given time period. For example, Famous Men of Rome by Guerber is a spine because it covers the time period of Ancient Rome, its mythology, emperors, generals, famous heroes, etc. The World of Columbus and Sons by Foster is a spine that covers what was going on in the world during the time of Columbus, from Russia to Spain and Portugal to Africa. 

Some people like to use a spine to make sure they are covering “everything”. I use the word “everything” loosely, as it is impossible to really cover every, single thing about a period in history. But, spines make great guides, especially if you are unfamiliar with a certain time period. A spine could also be used as the basis of your history curriculum. You could schedule companion books or videos as you work your way through a spine to allow a more in-depth study of that time period or a particular person or event. 

Some spines we have used:

Famous Men of Greece by Guerber
Famous Men of Greece by Greenleaf Press
The World of Columbus and Sons by Foster 
Oxford First Ancient History by Burrell 

Other spines to look at:
Child’s History of the World by Hillyer
Story of the World by Bauer
Stories of the Nations by SCM
Stories of America by SCM 

There are lots and lots of spines. So far, we have yet to find one we really love. The Famous Men books were not a good fit for us. Columbus and Sons was not a good fit for me to read aloud, but my kids started enjoying it more when I assigned it as independent reading. I just bought Child’s History of the World, so I can’t say anything about it yet, but I like what I’ve read so far. 

The SCM history modules include the use of spines as family reading, and then incorporate other resources by grade level to be read separately and give a more thorough look at the time being studied. I guess a spine could be seen as the backbone of a history study with additional books, geography studies, book of centuries, and videos as the ribs that branch out from the spine. 

Is that clear as mud?

Blessings,

Lindsey

In addition to Lindsey’s list, here is a list of authors were good at making interesting comprehensive histories of the different eras. That list often includes:

• M.B. Synge 
• Mary MacGregor
• H.A. Guerber (also available updated by Miller)
• H. E. Marshall
• J.H. Haaren
• Samuel B. Harding
• Ellwood Kemp
• Mara Pratt 
• Genevieve Foster 

There are some writers who wrote lots of great historical fiction about the people/events that we have enjoyed:

• Eva March Tappan
• James Baldwin
• J.A. Church
• Jacob Abbott
• Julia Darrow Cowles
• Evaleen Stein
• Lucy Fitch Perkins

These authors can all be looked at for free online at mainlesson.com or heritagehistory.com. They are available from both as e-books as well, although when you purchase from HH, the ebook also comes in PDF form so that you can print it if you want.

If you are studying Ancient Greece on your own and want to enjoy the myths in a more lighthearted story aimed at chiildren, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s A Wonder Book and Tanglewood Tales are not to be missed.