Tammy’s Reviews > This Country of Ours: The Story of the United States Volume 1: H. E. Marshall's "This Country of Ours" - Annotated, Expanded, and Updated > Status Update

Ch. 3 The class enjoyed the ups and downs of the journey across the Sea of Darkness. They came up with all sorts of comments about the men wanting to toss Columbus overboard. Living on a lake they didn’t quite understand the danger to his life until we discussed it. They were amazed at the seaweed and joyful when he finally landed on an island.

Ch. 2 The week we read this, I got a few groans because the book is more dense than others. They are interested in the story and found the whole idea of the Sea of Darkness fascinating. They were drawn into the rags to riches story of Columbus. I let them know that this is harder to narrate but I congratulated them for doing such a great job. Between all of them, they narrate the whole story.

I have to say that Chapter 1 was a hit.

So, I explained that it was the Vikings who told the stories about Thor on cold, winter nights in Greenland and Marvel used those stories in their movies. One asked if Spiderman was part of their stories and they were happy to learn that he’s more of a modern invention. When we got to the red cloth and the bull, my helper and I started laughing. One of the boys figured it out and explained it to the class.

We finished Chapter 1 this week and the children really enjoyed it. After they narrated Stoneland and Woodland, we read about Tyrker’s discovery and they decided on their own that the new land should be named Vineland. They were thrilled to learn that they got it. I picked some ripe muscadine grapes, leaves, and vines on the way to school and they were excited. One noticed all the Thor-names.

Ch. 1 My class is reading this. The story of Leif the Lucky has always been fun. Marshall knows what details capture the imagination and wraps them in an engaging story. Donna has carefully researched to locate quotes and offer interesting links. There is a pronunciation guide, and she has added tribal names. In short, she has made a great book even better.

Donna Jean’s introduction helps us realize that our current events becomes history and family stories are also history. I am beyond excited to see the thoughtful edits she has made and that a fourth volume will address the twentieth century. There is nothing out there to follow Marshall.