Kindle
$11.87
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$15.49
Paperback
$11.97
Buy new:
-40% $11.97
FREE delivery Monday, May 13 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$11.97 with 40 percent savings
List Price: $19.95

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Monday, May 13 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 9. Order within 15 hrs 17 mins
In Stock
$$11.97 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$11.97
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
{{numberOfItems}} item(s) added for {{price}}
$9.80
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
This item shows wear including some highlighting or writing, moderate wear to edges and cover, and stain spots. This item shows wear including some highlighting or writing, moderate wear to edges and cover, and stain spots. See less
FREE delivery May 19 - 23 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery May 19 - 22
$$11.97 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$11.97
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
{{numberOfItems}} item(s) added for {{price}}
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Susan Wise Bauer
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Revised Edition Paperback – Illustrated, April 17, 2006

by Susan Wise Bauer (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,314 ratings
#1 Best Seller in Social Studies Teaching Materials
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$11.97","priceAmount":11.97,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"97","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"A16UQFgJiuZ6J131FlOCwG0MgGPdv6y4wY4DtddxkdFhaSPHU60%2FaMPkmDUPVi%2BDcxBbTI99TJTV%2BFD4b3qh72vXgBOLAJAmwST2JDPsPcSnm4Sxd7jeDQK0Ln9flgNXSgfb06qsxg0%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$9.80","priceAmount":9.80,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"9","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"80","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"A16UQFgJiuZ6J131FlOCwG0MgGPdv6y4qIWxDkJeWYi9vnjARBRwrdGSMlRL4nxkIYIApsR4ipawmRuSCrsQ65hGSa06y4ykh84MQmmEYg9lkvdKSHjPF6EOxZlOvfRsx%2BZpeg4%2Fu8azzSQkiEGhP4dXk9E0shzjx6RhKcOpDZwVZmw47gAOBS2B6RlhFhL6","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

This first book in the four volume narrative history series for elementary students will transform your study of history. The Story of the World has won awards from numerous homeschooling magazines and readers' polls―over 150,000 copies of the series in print!

What terrible secret was buried in Shi Huangdi's tomb? Did nomads like lizard stew? What happened to Anansi the Spider in the Village of the Plantains? And how did a six year old become the last emperor of Rome?

Told in a straightforward, engaging style that has become Susan Wise Bauer's trademark, The Story of the World series covers the sweep of human history from ancient times until the present. Africa, China, Europe, the Americas―find out what happened all around the world in long ago times. This first revised volume begins with the earliest nomads and ends with the last Roman emperor. Newly revised and updated, The Story of the World, Volume 1 includes maps, a new timeline, more illustrations, and additional parental aids. This read aloud series is designed for parents to share with elementary school children. Enjoy it together and introduce your child to the marvelous story of the world's civilizations.

Each Story of the World volume provides a full year of history study when combined with the Activity Book, Audiobook, and Tests―each available separately to accompany each volume of TheStory of the World Text Book. Volume 1 Grade Recommendation: Grades 1 5. Illustrated throughout with black and white drawings and maps
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    6 - 10 years, from customers
  2. Book 1 of 4
    Story of the World
  3. Print length
    349 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    1 - 6
  6. Dimensions
    5.3 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
  7. Publisher
    The Well-Trained Mind Press
  8. Publication date
    April 17, 2006
  9. ISBN-10
    9781933339009
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1933339009
  11. See all details
Next page
New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade. New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade.

Frequently bought together

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman
$11.97
Get it as soon as Monday, May 13
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Story of the World, Vol. 2: History for the Classical Child: The Middle Ages
$12.49
Only 2 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Story of the World, Activity Book 1: Ancient Times - From the Earliest Nomad to the Last Roman Emperor
$23.91
Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by TRIO ALLIANCE and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

From the Publisher

The Story of the World Series

Suggested age ranges for each volume of the Story of the World series

Each of the four volumes of the Story of the World series are meant to be read by children, or read aloud to children. Here are suggested age ranges for each volume:

  • Volume 1 (978-1933339009): Children in grades 1-4
  • Volume 2 (978-1933339092): Children in grades 2-5
  • Volume 3 (978-1945841446): Children in grades 3-6
  • Volume 4 (978-1945841903): Children in grades 4-8

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This may well be the best multi-age read aloud narrative of world history yet to have been written."
― Homeschooling in Japan

Book Description

From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1933339004
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Well-Trained Mind Press; Second Edition, Revised (April 17, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 349 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781933339009
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1933339009
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 6 - 10 years, from customers
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 6
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.3 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,314 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Susan Wise Bauer

Susan Wise Bauer

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Susan was born in 1968, grew up in Virginia, and was educated at home by pioneering parents, back when home education was still unheard of. She worked as a professional musician, wore a costume at Colonial Williamsburg, toured with a travelling drama group, galloped racehorses at a Virginia racetrack, taught horseback riding, worked in radio and newspaper ad sales, learned enough Korean to teach a Korean four-year-old Sunday school, and served as librarian and reading tutor for the Rita Welsh Adult Literacy Center in Williamsburg, Virginia.

In her less haphazard adult life, she earned an M.A., M.Div., and Ph.D. She has taught at the College of William & Mary in Virginia for the last sixteen years. Susan is married and the mother of four.

Susan's most recent book for Norton, The Story of Western Science: From the Writings of Aristotle to the Big Bang Theory (2015), guides us back to the original texts that have changed the way we think about our world, our cosmos, and ourselves.!

Her previous book, The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had (2003), is a guide to reading the classic works of fiction, poetry, history, autobiography, and drama. Norton also published The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home (with co-author Jessie Wise); originally published in 1999, this bestselling guide to education in the classical tradition was revised and updated in 2004 and again in 2009.

For Peace Hill Press, Susan has written a four-volume world history series for children, The Story of the World, for Peace Hill Press. Volume 1, Ancient Times, was published in 2002 (revised edition 2006); Volume 2, The Middle Ages, in 2003 (revised edition 2007); and Volume 3, Early Modern Times, in 2004. The final volume, The Modern Age, was published in 2006. She has also written a best-selling elementary writing program, Writing With Ease.

Susan is also the author of The Art of the Public Grovel (Princeton University Press) and many articles and reviews. Visit her blog at http://www.susanwisebauer.com/blog.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
2,314 global ratings
Finally a book my kids beg me to read!
5 Stars
Finally a book my kids beg me to read!
This is such a great way to introduce kids to history. Interesting and compelling writing that leads to great discussions and even more discovery on the topics we read about. This won’t be a one time read, we’ll be able to revisit it for my younger children as well.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

M. Holmes
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for ADHD adults and children!
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2012
Verified Purchase
I am a homeschooling mom with a preschooler, a kindergarten student, and a fourth-grader. This book is great for all of them. I will alternately read aloud or play the audio version (in the car, during lunch, etc.). They love it! The chapters are short and easy to understand. The book itself is not intense and it wasn't made to be. The earliest age is six! If the language is too sophisticated or dry, the children will lose interest. I would too! There are lots of stories and myths from some of the different cultures of those times. It gives my children insights to different cultures and their traditions. The book is also helpful to enrich their understanding of what was happening in the world around the same time as some biblical events. It puts into perspective events like Abram moving, Joseph in Egypt, David, all the fighting and wars, etc. But in a way a child can grasp. As a Christian parent, it is hard to fill in the historical gaps or make sense of certain events. This book certainly helps. As far as I can tell, this book in no way, modifies or takes away the gospel message found throughout the Bible and history. So, for the reviewer who complained about the author's adding that Abram's father was scared, so they moved the family......duh! Who wouldn't be scared about constant fighting, being killed, and the threat of losing everything? Many ancient peoples moved for those very same reasons. It isn't unreasonable to make that jump, especially when you are trying to explain these complicated topics to a young child.

The negative reviews are garbage. What are people expecting? The Economist? Newsweek? An SAT study guide? This book is an introduction (condensed version) of the ancient world. The accompanying activity book has additional resources and activities for people who want more information. As for the claims of how a person felt at a particular time, of course that is speculation! Much of history is speculation! We use what we can find evidence of and fill in the gaps based on the collective information we have for that time period. I delve more into the information with my older child by using the activity guide and test booklet. If you're not keen on using this as a textbook, then read it to your children before bed. I guarantee your kids will get excited about history. Isn't that the goal of education? Not to get them to memorize a bunch of nameless faceless facts, but to get them excited, spark their curiosity, and encourage them to learn independently. This book is certainly a tool that can be used for that purpose.

I have purchased the next book and my family cannot wait to begin that book as well.
47 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
R. Simmons
5.0 out of 5 stars A Woderful Elementary History Curriculum For a Classical Education
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
After using Bauer's complete set of "Story of the World", Ancient through Modern, with 3 of my children starting in the 1st grade and ending the 4th I felt I could give a brief review.

Susan Wise Bauer uses an easier to read writing style with Vol. 1, but by Vol. 4 the reader is exposed to more information and more intense themes. For this reason, I believe a 1st or 2nd grader would enjoy Vol. #1 but an older child may find it a bit childish. Respectively, 4th graders would enjoy the 4th volume as it is written at a higher grade level and provides a greater amount of information.

I highly recommend purchasing the activity books as well. They are a must as they not only provide questions and answers for each chapter, corresponding pages in Kingfisher and Usborne Encyclopedias (I believe he newer publications no longer use the Kingfisher as it is no longer published), and a list of books for further reading; but maps and other hands on activities are included as well. There are numerous activities to pick and a parent can find those to fit the personality and learning style of the student. The activity books for the first Volumes are geared toward younger students (coloring pages, etc.) but the 4th Volume has the student learning how to outline, completing a timeline and doing more map work (2 maps per chapter instead of the one).

The test books are not necessary, but provide the parent with a way to verify the student's retention. Tests for the early volumes consist of multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank and 1 essay. By the 4th volume the tests are more intense: gone are the multiple choice and true/false questions and instead the tests are almost solely essay, a few fill-in-the-blank and placing events in chronological order. One problem I did notice with the test books is they do not always correlate with the questions and answers in the activity books. Many times the questions in the activity books would focus on a certain topic, but the student would be tested on something else. (To be fair the information is covered in the text book.)

Bauer has attempted to provide ancient through modern history in 4 volumes written at the elementary grade levels. Therefore, some events in history are skipped entirely and other events are covered briefly; but all together the amount of information presented is quite impressive.

Consequently, this is a good beginning history curriculum for grades 1-4 which children will enjoy and, more importantly, retain.
In conclusion, for those who want an all encompassing curriculum, that takes little prep time on the parents part; or those that want to follow the Trivium, this series may be for you.
50 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
carolina araujo nunes melo
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente livro
Reviewed in Brazil on January 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
Esse livro é fantástico! Conta a história do mundo, das civilizações de um jeito muito didático e com uma linguagem simples. Mesmo sendo em inglês, quem tem domínio intermediário da língua consegue ler perfeitamente pro seu filho. O meu filho de 9 anos consegue ler até sozinho.
One person found this helpful
 Report
NPP
5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfiwd
Reviewed in India on June 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
Delivered in good condition and within a good tine frame. Quality of the book is good and new edition
Report
Hideki
5.0 out of 5 stars 大人が読んでも面白い
Reviewed in Japan on September 20, 2022
Verified Purchase
オリエントからローマ帝国滅亡に至るまでの世界史の教材です。アメンホテプの宗教改革、ハンムラビ法典、アテネの民主政、インドのカースト制といった内容が大変わかりやすく説明されています。英語は平易で、ネイティブでなくても十分読みこなせるので、英語の学習者にもお薦めできます。
One person found this helpful
 Report
ZP
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for home schooling.
Reviewed in Australia on March 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
Beautifully written book.
Report
Andrew G
5.0 out of 5 stars A fine history resource
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2017
Verified Purchase
"The Story of the World" is world history simplified for small children.

The author recommends using the text as a starting point, and pairing it with other texts such as "The Usborne Encyclopaedia of World History".

With these two (very important) caveats in place, I cannot praise this series highly enough. The text is accessible and covers world history broadly and with a focus on relevance to society today.

Some bogus reviews accuse the author of religious bias: this is simply not true. World religions and mythology are treated fairly and respectfully. What is true is that this book begins at circa 7000BC. At NO POINT does the author claim the world began in 7000BC (or that the world was created in seven days or any other religious belief) this is simply the point at which the book begins. (Indeed "The Usborne Encyclopaedia of World History", which we remember the author recommends, puts the creation of the Earth at 4550000000BC.) If you are a Young Earth Creationist, this book will neither support nor refute your beliefs. If you are not a Creationist, this book will still neither support nor refute your beliefs. This is simply a history book which starts at 7000BC. If you are desperate to teach your five year old child about human history before 7000BC, you'll need another book ("The Usborne Encyclopaedia of World History" is excellent, but Creationists should look to their Bibles).

This series is a good story to tell children to kindle their interest in history. It covers major periods in history, world-wide and in roughly chronological order (making it easier to make sense of trends and consequences). A timeline is given in the back of the book to assist with learning.
17 people found this helpful
 Report