Options for textbook on Modern History??

[Lori D.]

Okay, in talking to DS who wants to know more about modern history, I got him to narrow down what he wants -- and he sez, a textbook. So, what would be a good modern history textbook for an older 10th grade student?

Thanks so much in advance! Warmly, Lori D.

[Michelle in MO]

the student edition. It's Spielvogel's Modern World History---although the publication date is 1999, so all of the more recent events since then (2000 election, 9/11, the war in Iraq) would be missing. I have the Teacher's Wraparound Edition, and the ISBN for that is: 0-538-42317-X. I can't seem to find the student study guides for the book.

As far as a textbook is concerned, this could possibly fit the bill, but you'd have to get additional sources for the more recent events.

[mooooom]

Sorry, not a textbook. I just got this book from Amazon after reading the sample chapter online - I'm finding it very interesting. Do kids really ask for history textbooks?

[Lori D.]

Sorry, not a textbook. I just got this book from Amazon after reading the sample chapter online - I'm finding it very interesting. Do kids really ask for history textbooks?


Yes, I thought it strange, too, that he said textbook. When he said he was interested in modern history, I asked did he mean documentaries, historical fiction, literary classics written in that time frame, or the Spielvogel Human Odyssey high school history textbook we have, or something else, and he said the textbook. He wants to know more about the World Wars, the Hippie movement, the Civil Rights movement, etc., and the book you're suggesting may just be what he's thinking of. I'll have him look at it...

THANKS! Warmest regards, Lori D.

[Lori D.]

Michelle, Thanks! We like Spielvogel's Human Odyssey, so I thought we might like his Modern History, too. So far, I only see it for $100!! Thanks for confirming we might like this. : )

[Samuel]

In some settings, Modern history means after the Romans, in others after 1648. I gather you're thinking more 20th century (contemporary history).

One introductory text used as background is One World Divisible. Its huge, but one can easily read the chapters about topics of interest. This is a set text at some of the better colleges for background. http://www.amazon.com/One-World-Divisible-History-Century/dp/0393321088

Palmer et al's A history of the Modern World is also a good, readable choice. It starts after the middle ages, but one could profitably read about the last third.

http://www.amazon.com/History-Modern-World-PowerWeb/dp/0073255009/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206826639&sr=1-3