Name: CHEC Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-06-12T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-06-14T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Denver, CO

Tagged: History; Living Books

This topic has 9 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 11 months ago by Melanie32.

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

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June 18, 2016 at 10:54 pm
EmmaInOz
Participant
OK, I’m new so hope I’m doing this right 🙂
I’m a huge fan of the World Landmark series, and wanted to add some titles from the Landmark series to my collection. The trouble is I’ve got no idea where to start. I’m Australian, and my knowledge of US history is mostly a mishmash of references from TV and literature. So I thought I’d reach out to the forum for some advice on what needs to get covered in US history and what books in this series are the best to get. I have heard that the book on the American Revolution wasn’t one of the better titles, so I thought I’d replace it with Albert Marrin’s book: the War for Independence.
If you had to pick 10 books to give you a decent overview of US history, what would they be?
If Messner Biography/Milestones in History has a better title I’d love to hear 🙂

Thanks in advance!
EmmaInOz
June 19, 2016 at 7:10 am
Sue
Participant
Are you covering U.S. history because the SCM history modules include it, or is it because it interests you and you want your children to learn American history? Or perhaps you are living in the United States at this time.
Since you said you are Australian, then you could study Australian history instead of U.S. history, unless it is a requirement for your children if you are living in the U.S. The reason the SCM curriculum guide includes American history is because the founders/developers of Simply Charlotte Mason are American, and so that is what their children are/were studying. Charlotte Mason herself had her students study British history since she (and they) lived in Great Britain.
June 19, 2016 at 5:26 pm
EmmaInOz
Participant
Sorry for the confusion. Just to clarify: we are living in Australia, we have a nice collection of living books for Australian history.
That being said I do think it is important to touch on American history. To that end, I was hoping to find out which are the moments/people to cover.
What/who needs to be covered? Which are the best Landmark (or Messner) books to do this?
Thank you for your reply 🙂
June 21, 2016 at 7:29 pm
greenebalts
Participant
If I had to pick….
The Vikings (Landmark)
This Dear Bought Land by Jean Lee Latham
The Landing of the Pilgrims (Landmark)
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
The Lewis and Clark Expedition (Landmark)
The Stout-Hearted Seven, Orphaned on the Oregon Trail by Neta Lohnes Frazier
By the Great Horned Spoon by Sid Fleischman
Abe Lincoln Grows Up by Carl Sandburg and/or follow-up with Abraham Lincoln by James Daugherty
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
This is ten and I realize they are not all Landmark or Messner biographies, but they are books that we’ve read and they really had an impact on our family. I tried to list them in chronological order, but the last title is set between WWI and WWII, which is as far as we’ve come in our study so I’m not yet sure about recommendations after WWII.
Also, if you want a couple Landmark biographies Thomas Alva Edison by Margaret Cousins and The Wright Brothers by Reynolds are both excellent. In addition, you may consider a book about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson (the one by Clara Ingram Judson is fabulous) and/or Theodore Roosevelt.
Hope that helps,
Melissa
June 27, 2016 at 5:10 pm
EmmaInOz
Participant
Melissa, thank you so much for such a thoughtful reply! I love that you listed titles that have been true living books for your family. I can’t wait to hear more as you progress through history. Do you have a suggestion for the best biography on the people you listed?
Anyone else??
I was hoping to get a few perspectives to really get me started! 🙂
June 28, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Melanie32
Participant
Well, we have read and loved many of the books already mentioned in this thread but I’m going to try to think of some titles that focus on key events and people in American history for someone who wants to hit the highlights.
If you are specifically wanting Landmark books, I would pick one on George Washington, John Adams, and one overview of the American Revolution.
The Landing of the Pilgrims would be a great one to cover the beginnings of American colonization.
Abraham Lincoln: Log Cabin to White House is excellent.
I would follow that one up with an overview of the Civil War.
A couple of good books on America’s involvement in the World Wars would be good to round out American in the modern age.
I also want to recommend a set of excellent narrative American history books that we have really enjoyed. If you chose these books, they would give a great overview of all American history. They are the history for Peter series by Gerald Johnson. I can’t recommend them highly enough! They are written at about the same level as most Landmark books, are not overwhelming in size, and are extremely well written.
I didn’t recommend specific Landmark titles for the most part, because we read so many that I can’t remember the exact titles other than the Abe Lincoln book.
June 28, 2016 at 1:46 pm
Melanie32
Participant
There’s also The Landmark History of the American People part 1 and part 2.
I found a list of Landmark books in historical order so now I can pick specific titles. 🙂
The Landing of the Pilgrims-James Daugherty
The American Revolution-Bruce Bliven Jr.
George Washington: Frontier Colonel-Sterling North
Abe Lincoln: Log Cabin to White House-Sterling North
I didn’t see one that is an overview of the Civil War but there are several on various aspects of the Civil War.
The Flying Aces of World War 1 by Gene Gurney looks good but I haven’t read it. There weren’t any overview books of this war either.
Again, there are no overview books on World War 2 that I could find but there are many to choose from on this topic.
Here’s a link to the list:
http://the-classical-homeschool.blogspot.com/2012/04/landmark-books-in-chronological-order.html
Hope that helps!

July 3, 2016 at 5:27 am
EmmaInOz
Participant
Melanie, thank you! Perfect. That’s what I wanted to “hit the highlights”, and now I know what the key points are to cover. Thanks so much! Do you have a fav book on the Civil War or WWII?
I’m not too strict about the books being only Landmark or Messner, its just that I’m after well-written narrative nonfiction and know what to expect from those series.
Thank you so much for all the suggestions, Ladies!
Emma
July 3, 2016 at 5:41 am
RobinP
Participant
For the War Between the States, the Landmark entitled Gettysburg is very good.

July 4, 2016 at 5:58 am
Melanie32
Participant
You’re so welcome. 🙂
The only one I remember reading from the Civil War period is:
Clara Barton: Founder of the Red Cross
It was very good but not exactly the type of book you are looking for. I would go with Robin’s suggestion above.
We read Lawrence of Arabia which falls under the World War 1 topic. It was very good as well but I’m not sure it gives a good idea of America in World War 1.
Concerning World War 2 titles, my son really enjoyed the following:
30 Seconds Over Tokyo
John F. Kennedy and PT 109