History

Popes Who Resigned

Benedict XVI and 13 Other Popes Who Retired (or were Deposed)
Book Cover
Author(s): 
Thomas Craughwell
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2013
Publisher: 
TAN
Subject(s): 
Church History
Grade / Age level: 
Mature Teens
Review: 
This is a fascinating (and very quick read) e-book that briefly outlines the stories of popes who resigned or were deposed (most of them in much more tumultuous circumstances than Pope Benedict XVI. It's a nice way to get a quick glimpse at how complex our church history is (which offers some great perspective for the struggles of our own days) as well as a nice overview of what the papacy means to us and where it comes from. Also included are a brief historical and biblical overview of the origins of the papacy and a lovely series of quotes from popes throughout the centuries on the concept of the papacy itself. Although it is clearly aimed at adults, my high schoolers and I enjoyed reading and discussing this together. (There are definitely some uncomfortable stories about the behaviors of bad popes in the past that you may not be comfortable getting into with younger children.)
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
3-13-2013

Priestblock 25487

A Memoir of Dachau
Author(s): 
Jean Bernard
Translator(s): 
Deborah Lucas Schneider
Number of pages: 
177 pages
Publisher: 
Zaccheus Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Religion
Church History
World History
Setting: 
Europe
World War II
Life during World War II
Grade / Age level: 
High School
Adults
Review: 
Spellbinding! From its opening pages, I was absolutely riveted to Fr. Bernard’s incredible story of faith and courage. Already familiar with that hell on earth, I was hesitant to read Priestblock 25487, A Memoir of Dachau. I took the plunge and was richly rewarded. It was one of the most inspiring stories I have ever read. With deep humility and simple piety, Fr. Bernard’s tells his horrific story of living (if you can call it that) in Dachau from May 19, 1941 to August 5, 1942. During World War II, priests were regularly rounded up and sent to concentration camps, in particular Dachau. The Nazi regime did not want the priests to administer the sacraments or spiritually lift up those around them, so they isolated them from the other prisoners. Fr. Bernard was a priest from Luxembourg, who never knew why he was sent there. Throughout the story, two thoughts continually weave in and out. We witness man’s sadistic, cruelty to man and God’s transforming love though man. How is it possible for a starving man to offer up his meager ration of bread for his fellow prisoner? Out of love, he has placed the needs of the other person above his own. The profound love that these priests have for the Eucharist leaves the reader without doubt that the Eucharist is real, life sustaining, and transforming. I did not want to read this book, because I did not want to remind myself of man’s inhumanity to man. I would like to pretend that it did not exist, but that would be a lie. Even more importantly, even though the Third Reich no longer exists, Christian persecution continues to exist throughout the world today in many forms. Reading this book reminds me to not take my faith for granted, to sink my roots deeper, so that I may fly higher, and that I too, in my meager, humble way, may offer my sacrifices like those heroic men and priests, who suffered incredible barbarism, to the capital of grace for the greater glory and joy of our Heavenly Father.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

I would recommend this book for every high school student!

Reviewed by: 
Elizabeth Yank
First reviewed: 
9-9-2008

Proud Taste For Scarlet and Miniver

Book cover: Proud Taste For Scarlet and Miniver
Author(s): 
E. L. Konigsburg
Number of pages: 
201 pages
Copyright: 
1973
ISBN / ID: 
9780689301117
Publisher: 
Dell Publishing Co.
Binding: 
Paperback
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
12th century
Review: 

This story is written fairly informally from the surprising vantage point of a cloud in heaven, where Eleanor of Aquitaine (12th century duchess from Acquitaine, in France) and three friends take turns recounting various events from her life. The novel is filled with historical details, particularly the lifestyle and family tree of the Plantagenet and the Capet families (King Henry II of England, Saint Thomas Becket, King Louis VII of France, King Richard the Lion Heart), and it is all presented in an entertaining manner. It is probably available at your local library. It would be a terrific read-aloud if your family is studying the Middle Ages. Children over 10 years of age would enjoy reading this book on their own.

Reviewed by: 
K.M.
First reviewed: 
7/25/2000

Pyramid

Book cover: Pyramid
Author(s): 
David Macaulay
ISBN / ID: 
9780395321218
Subject(s): 
History
Architecture
Setting: 
Ancient Egypt
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 6-8
High School
Elementary
Review: 

Black and white illustrations and readable text take you through the building of a fictional pyramid in Ancient Egypt (but so close to reality that you'll hardly know the difference) from the beginning plans of a Pharaoh for his final resting place, thorugh years of construction, and finally, the Pharaoh's death, mummification and entombment. Fortunately, the emphasis is on the design and construction of the pyramid rather than mummification. The many detailed pictures illustrate tools, techniques, materials used, etc. This is a very nice book and comes highly recommended. It is geared toward the 10-14 year old range, but my younger children have enjoyed it as a read aloud (my son in particular pores over the pictures and wants to know what each of the construction tools is for – such a boy!). The information is interesting and detailed enough to be read by teens or adults as well.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
2-26-01

Rand McNally Historical Atlas of the World

Book cover: Rand McNally Historical Atlas of the World
Author(s): 
Rand McNally
Number of pages: 
112 pages
Copyright: 
1997
ISBN / ID: 
9780528004919
Publisher: 
Rand McNally
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
History
Setting: 
Miscellaneous
Grade / Age level: 
All ages
Resource Type: 
General Resource
Review: 

This is a full-color, reasonably priced booklet of historical maps from every major age and civilization. It would be a worthwhile to every library – public or private. Here is a complete list of the larger two-page maps contained in this book (there are numerous smaller maps as well):

  • Human Emergence on the Changing Face of the Earth: Growth of Civilization to 200 A.D.
  • Alexander's Empire 336-323 B.C.
  • Roman Republic 31 B.C.
  • Roman Empire about 120 A.D.
  • Roman Empire about 400 A.D.
  • Easter and Southern Asia About 750 A.D.
  • Islamic World c. 800 A.D.
  • International Trade 1350 A.D. – 1450 A.D.
  • Europe and the Crusader States about 1140
  • Asia at the death of Kublai Khan (1294)
  • Europe (about 1360)
  • European Civilization during the Renaissance
  • Europe's Age of Discovery 15th-17th Centuries
  • The Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal Emipres in the 16th and 17th centuries
  • East Asia 16th Century
  • Eastern and Southern Asia about 1775
  • The Holy Roman Empire after the Peace of Westphalia 1648
  • Europe in 1721
  • Native America
  • Revolutions in the Atlantic World 1776-1826
  • Westward Expansion 1800-1850
  • Latin America about 1790
  • Latin American 1800-1900
  • Latin America after Independence: 1821-1929
  • Expansion of Russia in Europe
  • Languages of Europe in the 19th Century
  • European Partition of Africa: 19th Century
  • Resistance to European Colonialism: 1870-1917
  • The World about 1900
  • Asia 1900
  • Europe 1922-1940
  • World War II
  • Easter Mediterranean Area: 1945-1990
  • and Current World and Political and Physical Maps
There is a great deal of fascinating and informative details in many of the maps, including such things as: routes of exploration, trade, crusades and conquest; information about significant battles in various wars (including American Revolution, Civil War etc.); major products of trade; languages; birthplace of major historical figures and the positions of various countries at a particular time (such as Europe in 1810 at the Height of Napoleon's Power). I could spend hours and hours poring over these maps. It is a good resource to pull out during family or classroom discusssions of history and a good way of getting a better picture of what was going on in the world at specific periods of history.
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
7-19-04

Reading Comprehension: Stories of the Saints

Author(s): 
Elaine Woodfield
Subject(s): 
Saint Story Collections
Review: 
Although this series of Saint Stories from Catholic Heritage Curricula is listed on our Reading Comprehension page, they should also not be overlooked as really wonderful stories for their own sake. The stories are well-written and contain very interesting details about the lives of the saints that I haven't seen elsewhere. Highly Recommended!
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Reading the Saints

Lists of Catholic Books for Children plus Book Collecting Tips for the Home and School Library
Author(s): 
Janet McKenzie
Number of pages: 
218 pages
Copyright: 
2007
Publisher: 
Biblio Resource Publications
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Books about Books
Saints
Grade / Age level: 
All ages
Resource Type: 
General Resource
Review: 
This is an interesting and helpful book of lists designed for parents and teachers interested in collecting Catholic stories (particularly saint stories) for their children and incorporating them into their school studies. The first part of the book consists of listings of Catholic book series (both in and out of print), including titles with Catholic content that have been awarded the Caldecott Award and the Newbery Award, Catholic Readers, the Clarion Series, the Vision Series, American Background Books, Catholic Treasury Books and much more. The main portion of the book (over 100 pages) includes historical and geographical charts of these books of interest (including separate listings for individual stories in the story collections). These charts provide information on where and when the story took place, what series it belongs to, whether it's in print or not and a general age recommendation. Also included are extensive listings of Catholic authors and publishers of interest. The appendix includes a helpful and detailed guide to collecting and caring for books. I found this to be a very useful and well-organized book and I'm sure it's one I'll turn to again and again - particularly when doing school planning over the summer.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
3-3-2008

Red Butterfly

How a Princess Smuggled the Secret of Silk out of China
Author(s): 
Deborah Noyes
Illustrator(s): 
Sophie Blackall
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2007
Publisher: 
Candlewick Press
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
Ancient China
Grade / Age level: 
All ages
Review: 
When I first read aloud Mary Daly's First Timeline to the children, it was the first time I had ever heard of the story of the young Chinese Princess and the cup of tea where the silk strands first unravel revealing themselves... such a captivating story. Then Mary asked me to illustrate it for wider publication... and I just loved doing the Chinese teacup! Well, last week at the library, browsing as I always do through the new picture books, I found a Chinese princess and the tale of the discovery of silk! I knew it as soon as I glanced at the cover. Red Butterfly: How a Princess Smuggled the Secret of Silk out of China doesn't quite tell the same story as Mary's First Timeline-- but Mary's story, an old Chinese legend, is included in the Author's Note at the of the beautifully illustrated hardcover. The story of the book, also based on an old Chinese legend, happens later--when silk was part of Chinese life and had yet to be known to the rest of the world. The Princess, about to leave her homeland to be married to a foreign prince, decides to secretly take with her something that will always remind her of home. A darling picture book, to be enjoyed by kids of all ages, and bringing forth life in a different culture, a long time ago, and how materials things such as silk are easily taken for granted today.
Reviewed by: 
Ana Braga-Henebry
First reviewed: 
2-13-2008

Red Hugh, Prince of Donegal

Book cover: Red Hugh, Prince of Donegal
Author(s): 
Robert T. Reilly
Number of pages: 
202 pages
Copyright: 
1957
ISBN / ID: 
9781883937225
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Sample Pages
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Setting: 
16th century
Ireland
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Review: 

The true story of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, an Irish prince who fought the English Invaders at the time of Queen Elizabeth. This is a fast paced story – quite exciting and with a touch of romance. The hardships endured by Red Hugh, particularly during his imprisonment, are a bit graphic, but probably not too intense for mid-gradeschoolers and up. We are reminded of Red Hugh's faith when he asks the English to let him see a priest. The request is refused and the reader is introduced to the tactics of indoctrination, used to attempt to sway the hero from his Irish and Catholic loyalties. This will probably be a favorite among boys who like stories about battles, chases, and the victory of good over evil.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1998-99

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