The Story of the World Volume 4
A captivating, global journey through modern history—told in a way kids can truly understand and enjoy.
$21.95
Quantity:
2026 Fourth-Grade Curriculum Kit
Modern history can feel overwhelming—industrialization, revolutions, world wars, political movements, and technological change all competing for attention at once. This bundle turns that complexity into a full year of story-driven world history study covering events from 1850 through 1994.
The Story of the World Volume 4 helps students connect people, events, geography, and historical movements across the modern era.
Rather than presenting modern history as isolated facts and dates, the program uses narrative lessons, maps, activities, and discussion opportunities to help students understand how events connect across countries, cultures, and time periods.
The history text introduces major people, events, and historical developments through story-driven lessons designed for upper elementary and middle school students.
Designed primarily for grades 4–8, Volume 4 contains more complex topics and historical discussions than earlier volumes while remaining flexible enough for family learning.
The Story of the World is not faith-based but introduces important figures, cultures, and religions throughout world history. Families who prefer additional worldview discussions can easily expand conversations as topics arise.
Volume 4 provides a flexible approach to studying modern world history across an entire school year.
See some sample pages from the first part of The Story of the World: Volume 4.
How to Use The Story of the World Volume 4: The Modern Age
- Many families work through one or two chapters each week by reading aloud together, assigning independent reading, or listening to the audiobook version 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 without requiring additional worksheets.
- A pace of approximately three chapters every two weeks gives students time for reading, activities, discussion, and review while still moving steadily through the material.
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Families using additional history resources can coordinate them with the timeline. Graphic novels and supplemental readers often work especially well because students already understand the historical context before reading them independently.
Suggested timeline matches:- True Stories of the Civil War → Chapter 5
- True Stories of WWI → Chapters 20–21
- True Stories of WWII → Chapters 28–29
- Pearl Harbor → Chapter 28
- D-Day → Chapter 29
- Apollo 11 → Chapter 35
- John F. Kennedy → Chapter 36
- Martin Luther King, Jr. → Chapter 36
Whether reading, listening, discussing, mapping, or building projects, the goal is simple: help students connect modern history into one continuous story rather than isolated events.
Publisher's Information
Author: Susan Wise Bauer
Number of Pages: 503
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Well-Trained Mind Press
Edition/Copyright: 2005
Made In: USA
ISBN: 780972860338
Consumable: No
Faith-Based: No
The Old Schoolhouse 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 4, you'll want to order Famous Figures of the Civil War.
- April 28, 2024
our favorite subject
Amanda P.
We enjoy listening to the audio book in the car but my sons enjoy reading along with the books as they listen.
- August 16, 2023
Perfect completion to this set
Amy C.
My grade schooler has really enjoyed this series. We've been using the audiobooks, but I've recently started purchasing the paperbacks to have on hand for illustrations, spelling, and review in upcoming years.
- April 14, 2023
Great way to learn history
Jill W.
We have this book, as well as the CDs and the activity book. It's not always convenient to bring the CDs with us (we LOVE them) and the book can be a great fill-in. Sometimes our daughter likes to read along, as well, or reread lessons that were interesting. It's a great resource to have, although not necessary if you have the audio CDs.
- March 14, 2023
great history book
Bina
We love this, I wasn't sure if I wanted the actual book since we have the cd's but it's nice to have when the kids want to do history at the park and I can take this and go.
- May 18, 2022
Great way to learn History
A. P.
My 4th grade boys both enjoyed reading this book and listening to the audiobook. We had great discussions at the dinner table.
- October 1, 2020
Yay
Hayes
When I first saw this series I wasn’t excited about it at all... after I got it and read through it though, I realized it’s really great. We love the quick lessons. I own the entire series now!
- September 28, 2020
Read Along
Jessica
My 4th graders like to read along as we listen to the audio. The maps in The Story of the World Volume 4 capture his interest. I often find him looking ahead at the next lesson's map(s).
- December 31, 2019
Love
Jennifer
This is a great series. I can't speak highly enough about it. I have been able to use it for all three of my kids. Which helps when you have multiple grade levels. It is written with a story book feel, but it doesn't skimp on the facts of history. It doesn't focus heavy on dates of every little thing, but the major events that take place the dates are there and emphasized. My mom and aunt every now and then listen to the history lesson and are amazed with the information that my kids are learning. They frequently tell me that they didn't learn that when they were in school or they didn't know that. Because of this book series history is my kids favorite subject, which makes me happy(being a history buff myself). I highly recommend this series.
- October 13, 2018
The Story of the World Volume 4
Ashley C.
Explains the essentials and I enjoy reading this aloud. My son retains the information better this way.
- July 31, 2018
The Story of the World Volume 4
Karen L.
Love story of the world! The cds are well done. I don't typically like audio books and even I enjoy listening to these with my children. Even the 5-year-old loves listening.
