The History Book

History Stories for Children: Second Edition by Dr. John Wayland;

a Christian Liberty Reader published by Christian Liberty Press

This is the history book for my son's homeschool program provided by Christian Liberty Academy Satellite Schools [CLASS]. It's the size of a standard paperback book and each history story is about two to three pages long. There's simple illustrations and it appears to be written at a fifth grade level, although I have not yet submitted an excerpt for proper analysis.

As with American Pioneers and Patriots, I was expecting a white washing of history and glorifying of colonialism. That's what he would have gotten in a public school education, anyway. I was already prepared to supplement his education with factual information.

 

Unfortunately, these were not just white washed versions of history to make America seem great all the time. Those stories are in there, too. We even have the folk lore of George Washington cutting down the cherry tree and not lying about it when questioned.

What children will first learn from this book is contained in the first section, titled, From The Bible. We learn a couple little bible stories, then learn about the first Christmas song, and about Easter lilies, a poem about Jesus' crucifixion, and even a Psalm. History! 

The second section, titled, Around the World, tries to teach us about Alexander the Great, although they skip over his callous military prowess and champion homosexuality. We get to learn about his relationship with his father. Granted, that's a new perspective. There's also short stories for Alfred the Great, Charles the Great, and Peter the Great because why bother learning about leaders unless they're great? But then it gets into Saint Valentine, Martin Luther and other religious individuals. They did actually exist in history so that's passable but still it's all Christian themed.

This becomes predictable, right?

Well, just when you think you have them figured out, that's when they throw the curve ball...

Nobody expects the overt racism!