Fantastic concept. It is *so* much easier to learn about & understand history in context. Inventions, culture, leaders, wars, etc. etc. are explored for the whole time period from 1800 to 1875. I learned a lot. For example I learned that opium is not a Chinese thing - did you know that in 1800 the British started *smuggling* opium *into* China in order to manipulate them into opening to trade? I need to find out more about that!

There's also wonderful artwork - most of it contemporary to what it is illustrating. For example the lovely painting of village life in India was created in 1800.

It's a little dry to try to just read. But it's a perfect reference & focal point for a clever classroom teacher, of any geography, American History, or World History class of that time period, for any grade level through high school. I mean, sure it's written so even young children, for example home-schooled 8 year-olds, can understand it... but as I said, I learned plenty. I wish I had learned from books like this back when I was 8, or even 18. ( )