The Story of the World 2 Bundle
A complete Middle Ages bundle featuring the engaging text, hands-on activity book, and immersive audiobook download—everything you need to make medieval history come alive at home or on the go.
$93.99
$94.85
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Please Note: The MP3 audiobook download is non-refundable.
The Story of the World 2 Bundle
Medieval history includes kings, explorers, invasions, trade routes, changing empires, and enough unexpected stories to feel stranger than fiction. Volume 2 organizes those events into story-driven history covering world history from the fall of Rome through the beginning of the Renaissance.
Students encounter knights, samurai, Viking raids, rulers, religious movements, explorers, and civilizations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond as they learn how people and events shaped the medieval world.
Designed primarily for grades 1–6, Volume 2 serves as the second book in Susan Wise Bauer’s four-volume world history series and works well as either a read-aloud or independent history text.
Inside the text, families will find:
- Black-and-white illustrations
- Maps throughout the book
- Pronunciation guides for unfamiliar names and places
- Chronological organization that helps students understand how events connect across time
Families wanting the most complete program will find these included resources helpful:
- Companion Activity Book with maps, crafts, narration prompts, projects, coloring pages, and review activities
- Audiobook narration by Jim Weiss for listening during car rides, quiet time, or additional review
The Story of the World is not faith-based but introduces important historical figures, cultures, and religions throughout world history. Families who prefer additional worldview discussions can easily expand conversations as topics arise.
The goal is simple: help students connect medieval history into one continuous story rather than isolated names and dates.
How to Use The Story of the World Volume 2: The Middle Ages Bundle
- Most families work through one or two chapters each week by reading aloud together, assigning independent reading, or listening to the audiobook narrated by Jim Weiss.
- After each chapter, ask your child to retell what happened. Narration helps students organize information, strengthen comprehension, and retain historical events before moving into activities.
- Use the Activity Book to reinforce lessons through maps, geography activities, review questions, narration prompts, coloring pages, crafts, games, and hands-on projects. Most families choose one or two activities per lesson rather than trying to complete everything.
- A pace of approximately three chapters every two weeks gives students time for reading, activities, discussion, and review while still allowing most families to complete the program during a typical school year.
- Adjust activities based on your students' interests and your schedule. Some weeks may focus on maps and discussion questions, while other weeks may leave room for projects, games, recipes, or additional reading.
- Audiobook listening works well during car rides, chores, quiet time, or additional review sessions
- You do not need to complete every activity to have a successful history program
- Students typically retain more when narration and discussion happen consistently
- Activity choices can change from week to week depending on time and interest
Whether reading, listening, mapping, discussing, building, or creating, the goal is simple: help students connect medieval history into one continuous story rather than isolated events and dates.
Publisher's Information
Text
Publisher: Well-Trained Mind Press
Author: Susan Wise Bauer
Faith-Based: No
Consumable: No
Number of Pages: 416
ISBN: 781933339092
Format: Paperback
Edition/Copyright: 2007, 2nd edition
Made In: USA
Activity Book
Publisher: Well-Trained Mind Press
Edited By: Susan Wise Bauer
With Activities and Drawings By: Suzanne Bryan, Sara Buffington, Sheila Graves, Lisa Logue, Justin Moore, Sarah Park, Kimberly Shaw, Jeff West, and Sharon Wilson
Faith-Based: No
Consumable: Yes
Reproducible: 123 reproducible student pages
Number of Pages: 272
ISBN: 9781933339139
Format: Paperback
Edition/Copyright: 2007
Made In: USA
Audio Book
Publisher: Well-Trained Mind Press
Author: Susan Wise Bauer
Read by: Jim Weiss
Faith-Based: No
Consumable: No
Reproducible: No
Format: mp3 Download
Made In: USA
The Old Schoolhouse 2013 Excellence in Education WinnerFind answers to the most frequently asked questions about this product below:
Families can successfully begin with whatever time period most interests them. Some families prefer starting with ancient times and unraveling the story sequentially until modern times. Yet because the full scope of history is taught repeatedly up through high school, it is okay to skip volumes, knowing that the same events will be covered later.
One difference between the two series is their target age. The Story of the World is primarily for elementary students, with Volume I recommended for 1st through 4th grade and Volume IV for 4th through 8th grade. The Mystery of History's reading level begins at about 4th or 5th grade in Volume I and progresses to 10th or 11th grade in Volume IV, although it is easily adaptable for multiple ages.
Another key difference is the religious perspective. The Story of the World aims to narrate from a neutral perspective. It covers major religious characters and historical events but does not endorse a particular religious view. The Mystery of History is written from a clearly Christian perspective and integrates biblical and church history into the text.
A minor difference between the two series is the student work involved. The Story of the World revolves around the narrative, so all activities, while engaging, are optional. The Mystery of History is also narrative-based but expects more student work. Nonetheless, it is highly adaptable to each student's age and family preferences.
Throughout history, religion has played a major role in shaping the world for significant reasons:
- Religion has shaped the development of civilizations. Many of the world's major civilizations, such as ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, were founded on religious beliefs. Religion has also played a role in law, government, and education development.
- Religion has been a source of conflict and violence. Wars have been fought over religious differences, and religious persecution has been common throughout history.
- Religion has influenced art, music, and literature. Religious themes have been a source of inspiration for artists, musicians, and writers for centuries.
In short, religion is mentioned in world history because it has greatly shaped human societies and cultures throughout history. Religion has been a complex and multifaceted force in human history, and its influence continues to be felt today.
To get the Famous Figures book that goes along with Story of the World Volume 2, you'll want to order Famous Figures of the Middle Ages & Renaissance.
- April 27, 2025
Digital audiobook not CDs
ScotFlower
We like story of the world on CD so we can listen to it while I take my son to various appointments. This year, there are no more CD versions of the audiobook available through Timberdoodle. In order to make mp3 files work, it was suggested that I replace my car radio to one that could play files off of a cell phone, but my cell phone might not have enough memory for that and I don't want to use data while driving around. But, I felt I had no other choice, so I was looking into a new car radio, new cell phone, and possibly a new cell phone carrier... when I found all the CD audiobooks for Story of the World online on a different website. I bought all the CD audiobooks immediately. I praise God for them being available still somewhere.
- August 9, 2023
So entertaining
Jessie L.
I love these books because they add much of the bible history in as you go along so it puts everything in a timeline that is relatable. SO good for all ages.
- August 8, 2023
Another win for The Story of the World series!
Elizabeth D.
My students continue to be enthralled by history as presented in The Story of the World. History is not for the faint of heart, but even so, there is so much wonder and joy to be found in its study, and The Story of the World, vol. 2 makes what can be a gruesome and dark time in human history interesting and accessible!
- June 5, 2023
Such a wonderful history curriculum
Brittany T.
I absolutely love The Story of the World bundles. They have such a great way to present the material and follow through with great additional activities. Some weeks we are able to do all of the hands on activities while other weeks we may have to pick and choose. I never feel like we lose anything for not getting them all done but definitely benefit from having them as additional reinforcement of the information.
