The Awakening of Europe

Story of the World #3

by Margaret Bertha Synge

Book III in The Story of the World series by M. B. Synge, "The Awakening of Europe" covers the reformation in Germany, the Netherlands, France, and England, as well as the settlement of colonies in America. The rise of England and the Netherlands as sea powers, and the corresponding fall of Spain, as well as the rise of Russia, Austria, and the German states are also presented. Suitable for children ages 11 and up to read to themselves and for children as young as 8 as a read-aloud. The Story of the World series, by M. B. Synge, comprises a set of five volumes, written at a middle school reading level, that cover all major events in the history of Western Civilization, from earliest recorded history to the close of the nineteenth century. With fifty or so short chapters in each volume, the series links the great eras in time and place together by a chain of stories of individuals who played principal parts in the events related. While statesmen and military commanders figure heavily in the narrative, stories of explorers, scientists, artists, authors, and religious figures are also presented. The author writes in an engaging fashion, using dialog frequently to bring scenes to life. She juxtaposes events happening at the same time in different parts of the world in a style reminiscent of the books of Genevieve Foster. This series is an excellent introduction to world history for adult readers as well as for children.

Genres: History, Audiobook, Classics

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1903

About the author

D 1939

Reviews

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an inconsistent work. Some chapters are good, most are okay, and a few are totally inadequate to learn about the events and/or people discussed. In addition, the timeline is wonky and difficult to follow - the author seems to skip around without alerting the reader.

The audience for this book is children and we need to be able to explain things simply and without talking down to them. This author lacks consistency in this skill.

What is a bad chapter? The author repeatedly makes reference to the significance of the person/event without illustrating the impact of their life, or giving concrete events to explain them.

If you need a broad sweep overview type book, this might do it for you. You might want to get a copy from your library and read it before you purchase. Now that we have it, we will probably keep it, but in our curriculum we have used the internet and other books to fill in the chapters that are lacking.

[Tech Nossomy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A work written for both children and adults that unfortunately suffers from so many factual inaccuracies that it does not stand up to even basic scrutiny. It reads more like a set of short stories that the author has collected without doing any of the research herself as to the veracity of them. Also the grander context of the period she describes is lacking, emphasising milestones such as battle victories and achievements of heads of state rather than the lives of ordinary people.

[Hristina Ivanova-Petrova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this detailed, albeit a bit romanticised account of Europe's history. I really like the poetic tone of the author.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This history of important people of European countries tells about events from the 15th through the 18th centuries. Chapters are short and the history is presented as stories.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seems biased, or not very balanced, favoring some religion and countries.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching on a plethora of historical people and events. Free podcasts available.