Charles Dickens: A Child’s History of England, read by Renee Ellison (audio)
You, too, can understand the history of England — at last. No one could say it like Charles Dickens did. Now have this rare work in your home, school room, or car — read aloud by Renee Ellison in a rapid-paced, winsome rendering. Nearly 14 listening hours.
Rare — only available from Homeschool How-Tos!
How This Recording Came to Be
In the first place, I never even knew that Charles Dickens had written a child's history of England. But given his writing style, and that it was for children, it had to be riveting — and I must have it!
In the second place, in which old bookstore would I find it? Coughing and spluttering through rare volumes, I searched, I found, I seized with joy. Veni, Vidi, Vici!
In the third place, with whom could I share my great treasure? The pages were so old and brittle, they barely made it from one side to the other as I turned them. Idea! I shall record the entire book to share with my friends. Sneezing through the mildew and dust, I prayed to give you a rapid-paced, winsome rendering of Dickens' history. When you listen you'll find yourself routing about for a bit of British tea and crumpets!
A Note from Renee on the History of England
It is with mixed emotions that I send you this chapter of man's history. While recording, at times I felt like renaming the whole saga "101 ways to be devious, treacherous and cutthroat."
It is truly the story of fallen man. At no time was a king or queen secure upon the throne. For, once they gained it they were immediately the targets of relatives who engaged in espionage. Both king and people were fearful of murder and retribution from each other.
Religious persecution was oftentimes severe. The lust to conquer other countries was apparently unquenchable. For a while England imbibed the spirit of Alexander the Great who, after conquering the entire known world by the age of 30, sat down and wept that there were no more.
As Americans, hearing this history of our mother country puts in bold relief why it was that the Pilgrims and Puritans were willing to risk anything and to go to any lengths to establish a new kingdom. But alas, now we see it, too, crumbling. From such a bright beginning, man falls yet again. Now with no place to go but the moon, we cry "uncle" at last, saying, "Oh LORD, deliver us from the rule of man. May the kingdoms of this earth become the kingdoms of our LORD and of His Messiah, that He alone may reign forever and ever." The historical record shows that mankind does, after all, need a Savior.
What's Inside
- All 37 chapters of Dickens' A Child's History of England
- Covers 50 B.C. through 1837 — the full sweep of English history
- Digitally mastered for optimal sound quality
- Read the Dickens audio album booklet
Product Details
- Format: MP3 audio files on USB thumb drive
- Runtime: Nearly 14 hours
- Grade level: Junior high through adult
- Excellent for biography-based and history-based homeschool unit studies
