The Story of Civilization: The Medieval World (Volume II)
By Phillip Campbell · Published by TAN Books
Overview
Children should not just learn history—they should experience it. In The Story of Civilization: The Medieval World, Phillip Campbell brings the Middle Ages to life through vivid storytelling that places young readers directly into the events that shaped Christendom. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Picking up after the conversion of Emperor Constantine, this second volume follows the rise of Christian civilization across Europe. Through engaging narrative and short story-driven chapters, children encounter saints, kings, explorers, and ordinary people as they live through defining moments of history—from the spread of monasticism to the age of knights, crusades, and great cultural achievements. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
More than a history book, this volume presents the medieval world through the lens of the Catholic Faith, helping children understand not only what happened, but why it matters. It offers a formation rooted in truth, giving families a trusted resource for learning history from a Catholic perspective. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
What Students Will Discover
- The rise of Christendom after Constantine
- The lives of great saints such as Ambrose, Patrick, and Benedict
- The world of knights, castles, crusaders, and medieval culture
- Major historical developments including plagues, exploration, and innovation
- How the Catholic Church shaped the development of Western civilization
Did You Know?
- Monks were among the first to use clocks?
- St. Patrick was once kidnapped by pirates?
- The pope once lived in France instead of Rome?
- The Black Death killed millions across Europe?
- Knights used a wide range of weapons including maces and crossbows?
Complete Learning System
- Textbook: Story-driven historical narrative
- Test Book: Chapter quizzes with multiple choice, matching, and true/false
- Activity Book & Teacher’s Manual: Crafts, maps, comprehension, and creative exercises (Grades 1–4)
- Video Lecture Series: Chapter reviews, visuals, and quizzes led by the author
- Dramatized Audio Book: Fully produced narration with sound effects and music
- Timeline Poster: Visual guide covering 75+ major events and figures
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.
Intended Audience
This volume is ideal for Catholic homeschool families, educators, and students seeking a faithful and engaging presentation of world history. It is especially suited for grades 5–8, with additional materials available for younger students.
Parents looking for a complete, structured curriculum rooted in Catholic truth will find this series both accessible and comprehensive.
FAQs
Is this part of a series?
Yes. This is Volume II of The Story of Civilization, continuing from Volume I: The Ancient World.
Are there companion resources?
Yes. The program includes a test book, activity book, teacher’s manual, video lectures, audio dramatization, and a timeline poster.
Is this suitable for homeschool use?
Yes. It is designed as a complete curriculum for teaching history in a structured and engaging way.
Key Themes
- History taught through a Catholic worldview
- The rise and development of Christendom
- Saints, culture, and civilization intertwined
- Interactive and narrative-based learning
- Comprehensive faith-based education
- SKU:
- 2625
- Imprint:
- TAN Books
- Pages:
- 336
- Publication Date:
- 6/20/2017
- Product Format:
- Set
- Illustrator:
- Chris Pelicano
- SKU:
- 2625
- 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.
