Our Island Story, Volume 5

Volume Five of a five part series telling The Story of Great Britain from its earliest beginnings to World War I. Our Island Story, originally published in 1905 and later updated, details the history of Britain up to World War I (including some myths and legends associated with British history). Author H. E. Marshall based the book on her answers to her children's questions about the history of their ""home island"" (Great Britain).

The French Revolution (1789 A.D.) to the conclusion of World War I (1919 A.D.)
1. George III - England Expects that Every Man will do his Duty
2. George III - The Battle of Waterloo
3. George IV - The First Gentleman in Europe
4. William IV - The Story of Two Peaceful Victories
5. Victoria - The Girl Queen
6. Victoria - When Bread was Dear
7. Victoria - Peace
8. Victoria - War
9. Victoria - The Land of Snow
10. Victoria - The Siege of Delhi
11. Victoria - The Pipes at Lucknow
12. Victoria - Under the Southern Cross
13. Victoria - From Cannibal to Christian
14. Victoria - Boer and Britain
15. Edward VII - The Peacemaker
16. George V - Armed Peace
17. World War
18. The Hope of the Future

AUTHOR
Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall (1867 - 1941) was a British author, most famous for her works of history for children.

For decades, Marshall's books were ubiquitous in schools and home libraries. Much of the popularity of her works stems from her talent for making history read like good storytelling.

COMMENTARY
Reviews for Alcazar AudioWorks' production of Our Island Story, Volume 5
We've enjoyed listening to Our Island Story, an unabridged audiobook, H.E. Marshall's book detailing the history of Great Britain. Alcazar Audioworks has recorded this book using two readers who alternate throughout, David Thorn with his rich British accent and Bobbie Frohman's warm tones. The whole book is divided into audiobook volumes, sold separately, which allows you to purchase just that part of history you are currently studying.

H.E. Marshall had a knack for telling historical facts and events in a fresh, vivid way which stimulates interest as well as aiding memory and recall. Her history stories revolve around famous figures and events in British history, with the sort of details that children (and adults, too) find interesting and relevant. This is history as our children learn best: Rather than dry and dusty facts and dates to memorize by rote, we have stories of real people, vividly told.

The CD set Our Island Story, Volume 5 covers the final section of the written text, chapters 97 through 114, from George III (who ruled during the American Revolution) to the end of the Great War to end all wars (or as we now call it, World War I) and the hope that people of the time placed in the League of Nations. Here you'll find the stories behind the famous names: the account of conflict with Napoleon, Admiral Nelson and the battle of Trafalgar, Wellington at Waterloo, Queen Victoria, and more. The story of the Great War and its hopeful aftermath is especially poignant, seen from present-day perspective.

Caution: We ran across at least one objectionable word in the book, in a chapter detailing the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. The word is not lightly used, and in its context shows the contempt European slavers had for African-Americans, while the passage goes on to show the change of heart that led to slavery's demise in England and English holdings during the reign of William IV. Please keep in mind that this book was written early in the 1900s, and does not mince words the way modern texts do.

If you happen to be using Ambleside Online, you'll want to know that Our Island Story, Volume 5 is listed as an ""optional extra"" on Ambleside's Year 5 reading schedule.
Reviewed By: Jean Hall - EHO Eclectic Homeschool Online
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