The Story of Civilization: Volume II – The Medieval World
By Phillip Campbell · Published by TAN Books
Overview
Children should not just learn history—they should experience it. In The Story of Civilization: Volume II – The Medieval World, author Phillip Campbell brings the Middle Ages to life through vivid, story-driven chapters that place young readers directly into the events that forged Christian Europe.
Picking up after the conversion of Emperor Constantine, this second volume follows the rise and triumph of Catholic civilization across Europe. Through engaging narratives, children encounter great saints, heroic kings, daring explorers, and everyday people as they live through defining moments of history—from the spread of monasticism and the age of chivalry to the Crusades, cathedral building, and great cultural breakthroughs.
What Students Will Discover
- The Flourishing of Christendom: Trace how the Catholic Church converted nations and shaped the foundation of Western civilization.
- Lives of Great Saints: Discover inspiring stories of Saint Ambrose, Saint Patrick, Saint Benedict, Saint Francis, and Saint Dominic.
- Knights, Castles & Crusades: Explore the age of chivalry, medieval warfare, castle sieges, and the defense of the Holy Land.
- Cultural Breakthroughs & Innovations: Learn how monastic scribes preserved literature and medieval inventors pioneered mechanical clocks and architecture.
- Fascinating Historical Facts: Discover why Saint Patrick was kidnapped by pirates, how the Avignon Papacy moved to France, and how Europe faced the Black Death.
From the Book
“History is not just a list of dates and events—it is the story of real people living through moments that shaped the world and the Faith.”
Complete Learning System Available
- Textbook: Engaging historical narrative featuring short, story-driven chapters.
- Test Book (Grades 5–8): Chapter quizzes with multiple choice, matching, true/false, and complete answer keys.
- Activity Book & Teacher’s Manual (Grades 1–4): Hands-on crafts, map exercises, comprehension questions, and creative activities.
- Video Lecture Series: Chapter reviews, historical visuals, and interactive quizzes presented directly by the author.
- Dramatized Audio Book: Fully produced, professional narration complete with cinematic music and sound effects.
- Timeline Poster: Laminated visual guide mapping over 75 major medieval events, saints, and leaders.
Key Themes Explored
- World history presented through an authentic Catholic worldview
- The rise, development, and cultural achievements of medieval Christendom
- Inseparable connection between saints, Church history, and world civilization
- Story-driven learning designed for deep student engagement
Watch Video Preview
An introduction to The Story of Civilization: Volume II – The Medieval World.
Intended Audience
Ideal for Catholic homeschool families, parochial schools, co-ops, and educators seeking a structured, faith-filled history curriculum. Suited primary for middle school grades 5–8, with companion activity books available for younger elementary students in grades 1–4.
FAQs
Is this part of a larger series?
Yes. This is Volume II of The Story of Civilization four-volume series by Phillip Campbell, picking up directly where Volume I: The Ancient World leaves off.
Is this suitable as a complete homeschool curriculum?
Yes. Designed specifically for home education and classroom use, the textbook pairs with tests, activity books, video lectures, and audiobooks for a complete year-long history program.
- SKU:
- 2625
- ISBN-13:
- 9781505109917
- Imprint:
- TAN Books
- Pages:
- 336
- Publication Date:
- 6/20/2017
- Product Format:
- Set
- Illustrator:
- Chris Pelicano
- SKU:
- 2625
- Product Type:
- Set
- Height:
- 9.00
- Width:
- 6.00
4 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Good history program for elementary level
My complaints for this set are similar to the ones for the first set. A great deal of material is left out. There is no mention of the Magna Carta, Elinor of Aquitane, and Attila the Hun gets a single paragraph. No mention of what is going on in Africa, Asia, North, or South America. It's hard for students to appreciate what was lost in the Chinese Communist Revolution if they don't know what came before it. Again, no DVDs, no pictures of actual artifacts or works of art. But the stories are engaging and enjoyable. My elementary level children love it. It's a good spine for history, as long as you are willing to supplement. I do not think it is suitable for a high school level course. I really appreciate the Catholic perspective, however, and I just ordered Volume 3 for next year.
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History medieval ages
We love these timelines!
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My family LOVES this series! Why not DVD? Streaming is detrimental!
I move to 5 stars once it is put in DVD format! I purchased the entire collection, because we LOVE this series. My second grader is a big ancient civilization guy, and this is right up his alley. The video is excellent for our homeschooling needs, and my favorite is the video to supplement readings with visual learning. This quizzes embedded in the video is so much fun, and we race to see who can answer the question first-even Mom and Dad! I did misread the description, and thought the videos came in DVD format. I was VERY disappointed seeing it was streaming. I despise streaming, and almost returned them all because of it, but the material is so good I did not. Not everyone has strong enough service to watch easily, connections get interrupted, and it is difficult to view when traveling. Plus, MOST homeschooling families DO NOT allow their kids to just sit with a live internet connection. We care deeply for our kids, and want to safe from such tempting corruption. As a family that travels a lot, I very much want to encourage TAN to produce these in DVD. Many homeschooling families use DVD;s for video talks on language, history, religion, and other subjects. It is a wonderful treat in the school day, and allows for continued learning, and reinforcement of lessons when on the move. Please strongly consider!! Great material!
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Love this program
I have been using story of civilization for the last several years. All of my kids LOVE it, I LOVE it! It provides an excellent overview of that time period in history.
