hey, Plaid Dad! In the new LCC are you still recommending....

[Nicole M]

Churchill's The History of the English Speaking Peoples?

Now and again I've read parts aloud to my boys, 11 & 16 -- we especially like the bit about the coming of the iron age: "... for smashing skulls, iron is best." He's just delightful.

My oldest is will start the middle ages on Monday (boy the ancients took longer than we thought they would!), using Lightning Literature's Medieval British Literature. We're using Speilvogel (Human Odyssey) for our spine, and we realized we'd want more specifically British history. That got me to wondering what delicious treasures you might have found when researching your new edition.... Are we allowed a peek? Any thoughts?

[Plaid Dad]

Since the manuscript is with the publisher, I can't really talk about specific recommendations, but isn't Churchill a wonderful read? I tell people that if they have a book they love and can teach with enthusiasm, it's usually best to stick with it. :)

[Nicole M]

I guess I was hoping you might be able to recommend something a little shorter than Churchill's 4 volumes!

Darn. I guess I'll just have to put the question out there more generally, eh?

I'm looking forward to the new edition. And I always enjoy your posts.

Nicole

[Plaid Dad]

Did you know about the one-volume abridgment of Churchill? I think it was put out by Barnes & Noble a while back. That might be a good compromise. HTH!

[Nicole M]

Oh, you are not even going to believe this! Today while I was in the bathroom (they seem only to want to talk when one is in the bathroom), my son hollers, "Mom, I need to talk to you about history. When you're done in there, can we talk?" OK, that's weird enough, wanting to talk, but when I came out, there he was, holding the first volume of Churchill's History of the English Speaking Peoples. "Mom, I was thinking, it was so fun when you used to read this to us. Could we read this together, since we're doing Medieval British Literature this semester?" I had not mentioned a word about asking on the boards about this. Amazing, no?!

[Michelle in MO]

Churchill's 4-volume series; I've heard of it before, but my ignorance is showing! It's time to buy the set and read them! Thanks for the recommendation! :D