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Modern History

There isn't more history in the last five centuries than all the previous millennia, we just have more plentiful records of it. In all honesty, sometimes the plethora of detail isn't only overwhelming, it obscures the whole point of the story. As humans, we're all too susceptible to the lure of obscurity, to the desire for darkness where there ought to be light.

In many ways, this is the chief characteristic of modern history. Mankind seems to have accepted Enlightenment ideals en masse, and the result is the non-stop acquisition of knowledge, as though information could shut us off from the eye of a just and jealous God. Evolutionary theory, psychology, existentialism and postmodernism, public education, Communism—all these ideas are intended to put man at a further remove from God.

During the Renaissance, thinkers and artists decided that if man was going to make himself great, he'd have to replicate the glory of the Classical Era, with its enduring artifacts and intellectual produce. Enlightenment thinkers took this one step further, insisting that man could only know what he could deduce using reason alone, and consequently amassing knowledge in order to have a more thorough basis for such reasonable inquiry.

Since then, philosophers and scientists have devoted themselves to interpreting the facts from a purely human perspective, creating a picture of the universe that is mechanistic and godless. Meaning is dead, God is dead, and hope is dead, but the Enlightenment ideal of human progress (repackaged as Darwinian naturalism) is alive and well, the phantom idol of countless millions.

Even a brief survey of the last century would seem to demolish the possibility of any such idea, but it continues to inform nearly every element of our culture, from pop music to public policy debates. Atrocities like the Holocaust, racism in America, abortion, and totalitarian rule in Asian countries are reinterpreted or explained away to fit the overarching rubrik of sustained forward progress.

Christians understand things a bit differently. We aren't pessimists by any means, but we aren't blind optimists, either. God's plan entails one thing: His ultimate glory, and for those who believe His promises and trust Him for salvation, that's the most hopeful doctrine conceivable. At the same time, we also understand that man's efforts cannot be responsible for whatever good befalls us, that "progress" is only a gift of the Most High, and that only through the Holy Spirit is evil overcome by good.

The modern world is increasingly secular. Even in the Church, men and women stray from biblical truth in favor of appealing arguments on behalf of man, substituting a Christ-centered Gospel with one that is primarily focused on mankind and our individual salvation. We must counter these attitudes with God's truth, but we can only do so with an understanding of where those ideas come from and why they've taken root. A thorough study of modern history can and will provide those answers, and teach us how to stand firm in the truth we hold dear.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.
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Active Filters: 7th grade (Ages 12-13), Print-on-demand paperback
America Grows Up
A History for Peter #2
by Gerald W. Johnson
from Yesterday's Classics
for 4th-7th grade
in New Nation (1783-1801) (Location: HISA-18NN)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
America Moves Forward
A History for Peter #3
by Gerald W. Johnson
from Yesterday's Classics
for 4th-7th grade
in New Nation (1783-1801) (Location: HISA-18NN)
Ark, The
by Margot Benary-Isbert
2021 Revision from Purple House Press
for 3rd-10th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$13.59
Awakening of Europe
Story of the World Series #3
by M. B. Synge
from Yesterday's Classics
History Reference for 4th-8th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$13.95
Awakening of Europe
Story of the World Series #3
by M. B. Synge
from Living Book Press
History Reference for 4th-8th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$9.99
Bears of Blue River
by Charles Major
from Living Book Press
for 3rd-7th grade
in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV)
$7.64
Book of Discovery
by M. B. Synge
from Yesterday's Classics
for 7th-12th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$20.95 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Book of Marvels: Marvels of the Occident
by Richard Halliburton
from Living Book Press
for 3rd-Adult
in International Landmarks & Symbols (Location: HISV-LANINT)
$17.99
Book of Marvels: Marvels of the Orient
by Richard Halliburton
from Living Book Press
for 3rd-Adult
in International Landmarks & Symbols (Location: HISV-LANINT)
$17.99
Borrowed House
Bethlehem Books Young Adult Bookshelf
by Hilda Van Stockum
from Purple House Press
Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$11.86
Children of the New Forest
by Frederick Marryat
from Yesterday's Classics
Historical Fiction for 4th-7th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$12.71
Children of the New Forest
by Frederick Marryat
from Living Book Press
Historical Fiction for 4th-7th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$12.99
Chuiraquimba and the Black Robes
by Madeleine Polland, illustrated by Juan Carlos Barberis
from Hillside Education
for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$12.71
Combat Nurses of World War II
Landmark #116
by Wyatt Blassingame, illustrated by Gil Walker
from Purple House Press
for 5th-9th grade
in World War II (1939-1945) (Location: HISA-20WW2)
$13.99
Combat Nurses of World War II
Landmark #116
by Wyatt Blassingame
Photo Edition from Purple House Press
for 5th-9th grade
in World War II (1939-1945) (Location: HISA-20WW2)
$15.99
Discovery of New Worlds
Story of the World Series #2
by M. B. Synge
from Yesterday's Classics
History Reference for 4th-8th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$13.95
Discovery of New Worlds
Story of the World Series #2
by M. B. Synge
from Living Book Press
History Reference for 4th-8th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$9.99
Florence Nightingale
by Laura E. Richards
from Yesterday's Classics
Biography for 6th-9th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$11.01
Frontier Living
by Edwin Tunis
from Lyons Press
Historical Reference for 7th-10th grade
Newbery Honor Book 1962
in Pioneer & Frontier Life (Location: HISA-19PIO)
$19.95
Galileo and the Magic Numbers
by Sidney Rosen
2021 Reissue
for 5th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$16.99
Gift of Black Folk
by W. E. B. Du Bois
from Purple House Press
for 7th-Adult
in Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968) (Location: HISA-20CIV)
$10.99
Golden Age
by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by Maxfield Parrish
from SeaWolf Press
for 6th-9th grade
in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW)
$6.76
Great Quest
by Charles Boardman Hawes
from CreateSpace
for 5th-8th grade
1922 Newbery Honor Book
in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV)
$9.95
Growth of the British Empire
Story of the World Series #5
by M. B. Synge
from Yesterday's Classics
British History Reference for 4th-8th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$13.95
Growth of the British Empire
Story of the World Series #5
by M. B. Synge
from Living Book Press
British History Reference for 4th-8th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$10.99
Helen Keller: The Story of My Life
Signet Classics
by Helen Keller
from Living Book Press
Autobiography for 7th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$13.59
In the Days of Queen Elizabeth
by Eva March Tappan
2023 Reprint from Living Book Press
for 6th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$8.49
In the Days of Queen Victoria
by Eva March Tappan
2023 Reprint from Living Book Press
for 6th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$9.34
Jo's Boys
by Louisa May Alcott, Illustrated by Ellen Wetherald Ahrens
150th Anniversary from SeaWolf Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW)
$9.99
Keeper of the Bees
by Gene Stratton-Porter, illustrated by Gordon Grant, decorations by Lee Thayer
from Purple House Press
for 7th-10th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$13.59
Little Book of the War
by Eva March Tappan
from Hillside Education
for 5th-8th grade
in World War I (1914-1919) (Location: HISA-20WW1)
Little Men
by Louisa May Alcott, Illustrated by Reginald B. Birch
150th Anniversary from SeaWolf Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW)
Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott, Illustrated by Frank Merrill
from SeaWolf Press
Romantic Realistic Fiction for 4th-9th grade
in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW)
$13.13
Medical Corps Heroes of World War II
Landmark #120
by Wyatt Blassingame
2022 Reprint from Purple House Press
for 5th-9th grade
in World War II (1939-1945) (Location: HISA-20WW2)
$15.99
Pran of Albania
by Elizabeth Miller, illustrated by Maud & Miska Petersham
2025 Reprint from Unknown Publisher
for 6th-10th grade
1930 Newbery Honor Book
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$14.99
Queen Elizabeth
by Jacob Abbott
2023 Reprint from Living Book Press
for 7th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$8.49
Queen Victoria
by G. A. Henty
from Unknown Publisher
for 6th-10th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
Red Badge of Courage
by Stephen Crane & Ambrose Bierce
from SeaWolf Press
Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade
in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW)
Russian Snows
by Scott Armstrong
from RedBarn Publications
for 6th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$3.60 (1 in stock)
Sailing on the Ice: And Other Stories from the Old Squire's Farm
by C. A. Stephens
from Rutledge Hill Press
for 4th-12th grade
in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
$16.13
Scarlet Pimpernel
by Baroness Orczy
from SeaWolf Press
Action/Adventure for 6th-10th grade
in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW)
$10.45
Story of Abraham Lincoln
by Mary A. Hamilton
from Living Book Press
for 6th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
$5.94
Story of Bishop Patteson
by Elma K. Paget
from Living Book Press
for 6th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
$5.94
Story of Captain Cook
by John Lang
from Living Book Press
for 6th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
$5.94
Story of Columbus
by Gladys M. Imlach
from Living Book Press
for 6th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
$5.94
Story of Cromwell
by H. E. Marshall
from Living Book Press
for 6th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
$6.79
Story of David Livingstone
by Vautier Golding
from Living Book Press
for 6th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
Story of General Gordon
by Jeanie Lang
from Living Book Press
for 6th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
$5.94
Story of Good Queen Bess
Grosset & Dunlap Signature #18
by Alida Sims Malkus, illustrated by Douglas Gorsline
from Purple House Press
Biography for 5th-9th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$11.04
Story of H.M. Stanley
by Vautier Golding
from Living Book Press
for 6th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
$5.94
Story of Lord Clive
by John Lang
from Living Book Press
for 6th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
$5.94
Story of Lord Roberts
by Edmund F. Sellar
from Living Book Press
for 6th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
$5.94
Story of Nelson
by Edmund F. Sellar
from Living Book Press
for 5th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
$5.94
Story of Sir Francis Drake
by Oliver Elton
from Living Book Press
for 4th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
$5.94
Story of the Great Republic
by Helene Guerber
from Living Book Press
History Reference for 4th-8th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$13.99
Streams of History: New World
by Ellwood W. Kemp; edited by Lisa M. Ripperton
from Yesterday's Classics
for 4th-8th grade
in Age of Exploration (1450-1700) (Location: HISA-16EXP)
$11.95 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Streams of History: United States
by Elwood W. Kemp
from Yesterday's Classics
for 7th-12th grade
in New Nation (1783-1801) (Location: HISA-18NN)
$11.95
Struggle for Sea Power
Story of the World Series #4
by M. B. Synge
from Yesterday's Classics
History Reference for 4th-8th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$13.95
Struggle for Sea Power
Story of the World Series #4
by M. B. Synge
from Living Book Press
History Reference for 4th-8th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$10.99
The Story of Chalmers of New Guinea
by Janet Harvey Kelman
from Living Book Press
for 6th-8th grade
in History Shapers (Location: BIO-SHAPE)
$5.94
True Story of Pocahontas
by Dr. Linwood "Little Bear" Custalow and Angela L. Daniel "Silver Star"
from Fulcrum Publishing
for 7th-Adult
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$6.40 (1 in stock)
Voyagers, The
by Padraic Colum, illustrated by Wilfred Jones
from Smidgen Press
for 4th-8th grade
1926 Newbery Honor Book
$17.99
World at War
by M. B. Synge
from Living Book Press
for 4th-8th grade
in World War I (1914-1919) (Location: HISA-20WW1)
$10.99
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