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A Picturesque Tale of Progress

Series · 3 books

By Harry Neal Baum, Olive Beaupre Miller

ATTENTION HOMESCHOOLERS! THIS CLASSIC HISTORY SET FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IS FINALLY BACK IN PRINT! A Picturesque Tale of Progress was written by Olive Beaupré Miller. Her assistant for this lovely set was Harry Neal Baum, former professor of history at the University of Wisconsin. A Picturesque Tale of Progress was first printed in 1929, and remained in print through 1963. The set consists of 8 volumes (with a separate Index) broken down into four themes ('Beginnings', 'Conquests', 'New Nations', 'Explorations'), with two volumes devoted to each theme. As an aid to schools, Dawn Chorus is also publishing the set condensed into 4 volumes (again with a separate Index). The 'picturesque' in the title refers not to quaintness, but to the extraordinary number of carefully chosen and beautifully rendered illustrations (many hundreds per volume) and maps that give this set its unique and unsurpassed value. The captions to the page-by-page illustrations essentially retell the story of the text but in reference to art. In a world where the level and quality of education has so grievously deteriorated, may the reappearance of this wonderful historical set shine as a beacon to a new generation of young (and not-so-young) scholars. Beginnings I starts with 'Early Man', including wonderful illustrations of early cave art, followed by excellent coverage of the rise and fall of Egypt. Beginnings II covers Babylonia, the Assyrian empire, and an extensive overview of biblical history from Abraham to the Fall of Jerusalem. Conquests I follows the history of Crete and then Greece, from their rise as political states through to the conquests of Alexander the Great. Conquests II teaches the history of Rome, and includes extensive coverage of early Christianity, including the missionary journeys of Paul and the peaceful conquest of Rome by Christianity. New Nations I covers the Fall of the Roman Empire, and then turns to the Byzantine Empire, the Medieval Church, the Vikings, and the Feudal Age. New Nations II reveals the glory of the Byzantine Empire, the Crusades and their effects, Spain and the Moors, the development of England, of France as a monarchy, of Germany and the Holy Roman Empire, and of Italy and the Renaissance. Explorations I covers Marco Polo, Genghis Khan, the conquests of the Mongols, and Africa and India. Explorations II follows the New World from ancient times. The voyages of Leif Ericsson and Columbus introduce extensive treatment of the peoples in the Americas, with special focus on the civilizations of Mexico, Central America, and southwestern America and their conquest by the Spanish. The series ends here-with the discovery of America. The ninth volume is an invaluable index to peoples and places throughout world history from Ancient Egypt through the discovery of America, and doubles as an excellent resource for further study and projects.

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Authors

Olive Beaupre Miller

Author · 11 books

Olive Kennon Beaupré was born in Aurora, IL on September 11, 1883. She received her B.A. from Smith College in 1904 and returned to Aurora to work as an English teacher for two years. Olive and Harry Edward Miller were married October 2, 1907. Olive began writing rhymes and stories to entertain her daughter Virginia, and was encouraged by Harry to publish some of her writings. In 1919 Olive founded The Bookhouse for Children publishing company with Harry. Olive assumed the title of Editor and published all of her subsequent material either solely through The Bookhouse or through other publishing companies in conjunction with The Bookhouse. Olive published the first volume of the My Bookhouse series in 1920 and set to work on the next five volumes. My Bookhouse became the first collection of children's literature which was graded to meet the developing needs and abilities of children at different ages. Olive began publishing the nine volume series A Picturesque Tale of Progress in 1929. In 1934 Olive revised My Bookhouse, expanding the series from six volumes to twelve. When Olive and Harry were divorced in May 1935, he resigned his position as President of The Book House. In addition to being Editor, Olive was elected Vice-President by the Board of Directors, who hoped that this post would keep her from pursuing a more managerial role in the company. Olive achieved the position of Chairman of the Board in 1939 and held it until 1954. The Book House for Children was sold to United Educators in 1954. Olive remained Chairman of the Board in an advisory capacity until she retired in 1962. She moved to Tucson, AZ where she lived with her daughter Virginia (Miller) Read and family until her death on March 25, 1968.

Harry Neal Baum

Author · 2 books