
A Beginner's History
THE PREFACE
THE TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE NORTHMEN DISCOVER THE NEW WORLD
EARLY EXPLORERS IN AMERICA
THE MEN WHO MADE AMERICA KNOWN TO ENGLAND AND WHO CHECKED THE PROGRESS OF SPAIN
THE MEN WHO PLANTED NEW FRANCE IN AMERICA, FOUNDED QUEBEC, EXPLORED THE GREAT LAKE REGION, AND PENETRATED THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
WHAT THE DUTCH ACCOMPLISHED IN THE COLONIZATION OF THE NEW WORLD
FAMOUS PEOPLE IN EARLY VIRGINIA
PILGRIMS AND PURITANS IN NEW ENGLAND
The book invites young readers to picture history with the same imagination they use for fairy tales. Everyday observations become the building blocks for understanding past events, turning them into vivid stories. By showing historical figures as people who wrestled with real challenges, the narratives feel relatable.
It begins with the daring voyages of the Northmen and moves through the age of European discovery, covering explorers such as Columbus, Cortés, and Champlain, and the early growth of the colonies. Concise text and lively illustrations highlight both triumphs and setbacks, including the nation’s preparation for the great world war. The layout encourages students to compare these episodes with the world around them.
Throughout, the author stresses thoughtful citizenship, urging readers to weigh right and wrong and see history as a dialogue between past and present. The blend of factual detail with moral reflection helps learners develop a balanced sense of American ideals. It serves as a clear, engaging guide for anyone beginning a journey into history.
Language
en
Duration
~13 hours (780K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Richard Tonsing, Richard Hulse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2015-11-25
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1852–1938
Best known for making American history readable for students, this Indiana-born educator wrote lively school texts that aimed to turn dates and events into memorable stories. He spent much of his career teaching history at Syracuse University and published widely for classrooms in the early 20th century.
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