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Sub Usborne World History for Oxford??
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My mom gave me the Usborne Book of World History and I was wondering if I could use that instead of the Oxford First Ancient History. I read mixed reviews on both on Amazon, but it seems that the Oxford book is more detailed. My ds is 6 so I was thinking it would be okay to start with and maybe get the oxford book next year??? Would really apprieciate some input. TIA
Since I have both, I guess I will give you my OPINION. =P
I think that they compliment each other nicely. Usborne is mostly pictures with a few facts and the Oxford is mostly a narrative style of facts and not a lot of detailed pictures. At 6 as an introduction you probably could use it, but it is not going to cover as much of the history as the Oxford does. I would not use it as my stand-alone spine past a brief introduction to the Ancients for my youngest.
To disclose, I have never used nor seen the resource you mentioned. HOWEVER, my brief experiences with Usbourne resources have not been positive, as they are just the type of books that drive me nuts. Why do they drive me nuts? Mostly because they are made up of bits and pieces of information related to a topic, but rarely form a complete thought or go into any living detail of the ideas they present. For example, I bought Usbourne’s The Greeks for our use last year, and we cracked it open once. I was so turned off by all the captions and lack of real information beyond straight facts, that we never used it again; and I recently gave it away.
For a 6yo, you could definitely use it to expose your ds to some different ideas pertaining to Egypt or Rome or whatever you’re studying, but like sheraz, I don’t think I’d use it as my main resource past that age. Even my 5yo was able to understand and follow what we read out of Oxford. I know Oxford is expensive and difficult to find right now, but it is a good investment. You’ll use it for your entire homeschooling career, especially if you use the SCM modules.
My sister-in-law used to use Sonlight’s curriculum, and they require many Usbourne books. She and her children did not enjoy them either. They are very scattered, in our opinions.
Hope that’s helpful (and not negative or discouraging!),
Lindsey
Here’s a link to buy the Oxford book. It’s from Amazon.co.uk, but I’m assuming you couldn’t find it this side of the pond. IT’s the same book, with just one page extra (or less, I can’t remember which way round), so I’m told. It’s what I have and I haven’t had a problem with it. You can pay in dollars, though it’s listed in pounds.
I agree with the others – I don’t get on with Usborne books either.
HTH
Ooops, I pressed send without the link! HEre it is http://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxford-Childrens-Ancient-History-Burrell/dp/0199171874/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344974323&sr=1-1
I found it by doing a search on Fetchbookinfo.com, which finds any new/second hand book for you.
Thanks ladies. I was able to find it…I just didn’t want to spend $150 on a book right now if I had something that would work just as well…I think I will start out with what I have since I will be using other books along with this one then order it in a few months. Thanks for the input! : )
If you are patient, I am sure within a few months you can find the Oxford book for sale at a good price on Amazon, from someone on this forum that is done with it, or somewhere else for around $20-$50. Our library has the Oxford book (but we live in an average sized city). I was planning to just check it out from the library (renewable for up to 12 weeks if there aren’t holds) if I hadn’t found a good deal on a used one.
@ibkim thanks! I never think to check the library for books like that! Also didn’t realize it was possible to find the oxford book that low! I saw one for $250! But the cheapest was $150!!
April, on another thread today, someone posted they accidently bought both books (under the 2 different titles it goes by) and said they were selling their duplicate. I don’t know how to link you to it, but its under “Oxford 1st vs. Oxford Children’s Ancient History” discussion on this site. If it hasn’t sold, you should send a pm to see what the price is. Mostly, the Oxford is listed for $150+ on other sites, but at Amazon I will see one for the lower, reasonable price from time to time. Its worth waiting on one of those deals. Also, I read some people sub volume 1 of the Story of the World if they don’t have the Oxford book. It may compliment your Usborne books well until you find the Oxford book at a decent price. The Story of the World is at our library as well, or you probably could find it used a good price (the regular price isn’t that bad either, but I would check it out at the library to see if you liked it before buying new). HTH.
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