Koncocoo

Best History of Education

The Art Of War
Note: The chapters in the book are not in order and it is intentional. 1.
Reviews
"I want to tell future readers of this book in this way. I read it first when I was 14 or 15."
"A great short read, the laws can be applied to not only warfare, but everyday life and any problems that may arise."
"I received and read this book all in one day."
"The Art of War takes the battle plans and uses psychological principles to win against any enemy."
"Great job providing "The Art of War" affordably."
"Friend: "Do you read the bible?""
"There's one chapter out of order, which is certainly a mistake and weird, but not super bad."
"Eager to learn how to walk that fine line that makes the difference between winning or losing? Want to learn how to always come out on top--no fuss--no muss? Learn how to handle a situation without the situation handling you---learn how to handle a "situation" correctly."
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Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
This updated and revised edition of the American Book Award-winner and national bestseller revitalizes the truth of America’s history, explores how myths continue to be perpetrated, and includes a new chapter on 9/11 and the Iraq War. James W. Loewen is the bestselling author of Lies My Teacher Told Me and Lies Across America.
Reviews
"Loved it!"
"Bought this for my step-father who is a bit of a conspiracy theorist and he loved it!"
"If there's one book you read as a teenager... this should be it."
"just an all around great read."
"Interesting and refreshing read."
"So informative and unbiased."
"Great read!"
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The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Revised Edition
Told in a straightforward, engaging style that has become Susan Wise Bauer's trademark, The Story of the World series covers the sweep of human history from ancient times until the present. Newly revised and updated, The Story of the World, Volume 1 includes maps, a new timeline, more illustrations, and additional parental aids. Each Story of the World volume provides a full year of history study when combined with the Activity Book, Audiobook, and Tests―each available separately to accompany each volume of The. Story of the World Text Book. Susan Wise Bauer is an educator and academic who has worked with parents and students for more than twenty years.
Reviews
"Up through to the end of 3rd grade in the public school system, the only exposure she'd had to history is to the timespan just before and just after the American revolutionary war. But I didn't want it to turn into a grind for her, so I took the authors' intentions to heart and I'm using this series to form a groundwork for a basic understanding of history. So all the complaints about inaccuracies in the book and the author's religious slant (which I didn't find and I was looking for), they don't matter. What really matters is that my daughter enjoys learning about history (it's her favorite class) and she's building a foundation that can be built on in later years. All history books will turn up people who will disagree with the content, will find inaccuracies in the material, or won't agree with the author's point of view."
"I have been reading this to my 7 year old boy ( we started it when he was 6) and he is absolutely captivated."
"Our school year hasn't started yet."
"We love this book."
"I was a little worried what my kids will think, but they LOVE this narration."
"We also spent some time in other sources during the Roman chapters just because there's so much there in the records, and this volume brought up subjects we wanted to investigate further."
"If you are really into the activity book, make sure you get the newer version."
"I was very hesitant to purchase this book at first, due to some of the negative reviews."
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Best Education History & Theory

Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling
John Taylor Gatto has been a fierce advocate for self-directed “guerrilla” education for decades. Gatto's radical treatise on public education, a New Society Publishers bestseller for 25 years, continues to bang the drum for an unshackling of children and learning from formal schooling.
Reviews
"Colleges had to adjust their material to the watered down curriculum that gets passed on to it from high schools."
"If you dislike that advertising permeates everything you read and watch and are amazed at how much crap people think they need then this book is for you."
"Reading this in high school really opens your eyes!"
"This book this for the ones who care about education."
"[...]. Gatto also wrote a more objective and penetrating history of American Education[...]. While these books are provided for free by their authors and publishers, I recommend a purchase in order to support their important work."
"Explains why the U.S. is failing compared to the rest of the world."
"The author states learning is maximized by taking on a 1000 internships, active participation in the community, and periods of isolated reflection. Internship implies sharing information and knowledge with a potential employee, aimed at increasing their professional capability, before employment. Periods of isolated reflection allow the student to meditate on the principles and information they have learned. Abstraction, synthesis, and integration mental process allow the information to evolve into other ideas or principles. The education system values: competition, intimidation, and control more than principles of democracy. Many of the social problems of teen pregancy, drugs, and violence are associated with the rich rather than the poor. If your child thinks its ok, to spend hours down in their room listening to their music, refusing to eat at the dinner table, or participate in family activities, you start to wonder. If your child was previously curious about things and often worked on individual projects and research but suddenly stop, you wonder."
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Best Gifted Students Education

The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way
The Smartest Kids in the World “gets well beneath the glossy surfaces of these foreign cultures and manages to make our own culture look newly strange....The question is whether the startling perspective provided by this masterly book can also generate the will to make changes” ( The New York Times Book Review ) . Kim, fifteen, raises $10,000 so she can move from Oklahoma to Finland; Eric, eighteen, trades his high-achieving Minnesota suburb for a booming city in South Korea; and Tom, seventeen, leaves a historic Pennsylvania village for Poland. Amanda Ripley, an American journalist, seeks to answer such questions in The Smartest Kids in the World , her fine new book about the schools that are working around the globe ….Ms. “[ The Smartest Kids in the World is] a riveting new book….Ripley’s policy recommendations are sensible and strong….The American school reform debate has been desperately in need of such no-nonsense advice, which firmly puts matters of intellect back at the center of education where they belong.” ( The Daily Beast ). “Gripping….Ripley's characters are fascinating, her writing style is accessible, and her observations are fresh….If you're interested in how to improve public schools, read Ripley's book today.” (The Huffington Post). “This book gives me hope that we can create education systems of equity and rigor—if we heed the lessons from top performing countries and focus more on preparing teachers than on punishing them."
Reviews
"I had long heard that Finland’s education was unique and crashing through testing markers, but until this book I didn’t really understand why."
"This is a balanced examination of current research and interviews with education experts around the world - INCLUDING the students so often excluded."
"Amanda Ripley Pulls no punches in her reporting on education systems."
"By looking at teacher training, student expectations (from the students themselves and their parents and school administrators), school spending and other criteria (think expensive high school football programs), Ms. Ripley paints an interesting picture of the stark differences between the schools here in the United States and schools in countries where they get it right."
"I generally dread the books on pedagogy and education that get handed to me, and this was no exception - until I actually started reading."
"Great book."
"It helps start an important discussion about schools in America and gives us pause for self reflection, both as parents and a system."
"This should be required reading for parents, educators, and politicians."
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Best Chinese History

Bully of Asia: Why China's Dream is the New Threat to World Order
that invented totalitarianism thousands of years ago whose economic power rivals our own that believes its superior race and culture give it the right to universal deference that teaches its people to hate America for standing in the way of achieving its narcissistic "dream" of world domination that believes in its manifest destiny to usher in the World of Great Harmony which publishes maps showing the exact extent of the nuclear destruction it could rain down on the United States. Steven Mosher exposes the resurgent aspirations of the would-be hegemon–and the roots of China's will to domination in its five-thousand-year history of ruthless conquest and assimilation of other nations, brutal repression of its own people, and belligerence toward any civilization that challenges its claim to superiority. Steven W. Mosher is president of the Population Research Institute and an internationally recognized authority on China.
Reviews
"Steve Mosher demonstrates his total command of China, its history, culture, politics, and, most importantly, present intentions."
"In the West’s recent memory, however, China was wracked with turmoil and dominated by the main Western powers and Japan – certainly since the Opium Wars of the mid-1800s. DeVore is the author of "The Texas Model: Prosperity in the Lone Star State and Lessons for America" and the co-author of "China Attacks.""
"Whatever elements of capitalism and study abroad the People’s Republic of China adopts, its Great Han Chauvinism transforms them as means of imposing its will on other nations."
"Mosher shows that while many people view China as another nation among many, political leaders within China view it as a superior power destined for hegemony."
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Best Children's Ancient History

Encyclopedia Mythologica: Gods and Heroes Pop-Up
In this stunning volume, the incomparable team of Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda take us to Ra-Atum’s land in Ancient Egypt; above the Grecian clouds to Zeus’s Mount Olympus; up to Norse god Odin’s frozen north; to the Far East, where the Jade Emperor sits in the heavens; into the wilds of Oceania, where Pele’s volcanic rage simmers below the earth; and to many more lands and times, all rich with sacred myths and legends. Some of these pop-ups reveal even smaller flaps in a kind of nested-doll-like series of diminishing size.
Reviews
"Storylines are great, however I wish the Abrahamic God of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity was included, as the mythology is very similar, and is a great teaching tool in developing critical thinking skills in young people."
"The paper engineering is fantastic. Seriously, I have never seen paper do the things it can do until I opened this book. The colors and stories that accompany the book are also very fascinating."
"Each spread is a lavish display of technological creativity, while at the same time imparting facts and intriguing information with the text. See other favorites here: Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the GalaxyCinderella: A Pop-Up Fairy Tale The Jungle Book: A Pop-Up Adventure (Classic Collectible Pop-Ups)A Pop-up Book of Nursery Rhymes (Limited Edition): A Classic Collectible Pop-Up."
"We've bought The Little Mermaid and Star Wars in the same style and they are all incredibly well done."
"A rambunctious child could easily bend the paper which could possibly cause some of the pop-ups to fail to fold back in properly, causing even more damage. For example, there’s a mansion pop-up in the Fairies volume that will fail to fold back in if a paper tab is resting on the wrong side of another tab (they are not glued or attached in any way and it’s easy to bump it and move it to the wrong side)."
"A great pop up book."
"It is bigger and more beautiful than I expected, really a work of art."
"I strongly suggest thoroughly inspecting any pop-up book before giving, as they sometimes need "teasing" (unstuck from where they should not be stuck) or re-glued (double-side tape works well too)."
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Best Nonprofit Organizations & Charities

Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It...and Why the Rest Don't (Rockefeller Habits 2.0)
These approaches have been honed from over three decades of advising tens of thousands of CEOs and executives and helping them navigate the increasing complexities (and weight) that come with scaling up a venture. The goal of this book is to help you turn what feels like an anchor into wind at your back -- creating a company where the team is engaged; the customers are doing your marketing; and everyone is making money. Scaling Up shows business leaders how to get their organizations moving in sync to create something significant and enjoy the ride. “Verne’s tools and techniques have been key to scaling up Benetton to become the #1 international fashion brand in India. Scaling Up is that business book. Verne’s tools and techniques have been critical to helping us drive and manage this growth during my 20 years as CEO ― and ultimately to freeing me up as the founder to pursue other interests.” -- Scott Tannas, founder and Vice Chairman, Western Financial Group; senator, Canadian Parliament. “Scaling up a significant business requires precisely the kind of discipline and focus detailed in Verne’s practical and ‘how-to’ driven book.” -- Scott Farquhar, co-founder and CEO, Atlassian. “Verne Harnish’s Scaling Up is one of the finest business books you'll ever read. Whether you're an entrepreneur who wants to scale up, a CEO who wants to take his business to the next level, or a non-profit executive who wants to leave a legacy, this book will be life-changing.” -- Tan Yinglan, Author of Way of the VC – Top Venture Capitalists on Your Board, Chinnovation – How Chinese Innovators are Changing the World and New Venture Creation - Entrepreneurship For The 21st Century - An Asian Perspective.
Reviews
"The idea of focusing on People, Strategy, Execution, and Cash is especially meaningful to me as an entrepreneur who founded a business that has been growing for 18+ years and now has over 100 employees."
"It has given me a number of good ideas for changes I can make to how I run my own business, which has been a 1-man band for the last 16 years."
"This book was great for our organization."
"Verne's insight is superb, fresh view, clear direction, a lot of new books, you are in good hands!"
"I have read a lot of business books, literally thousands, and I would put this book in my top 10 for sure."
"Most businesses in the world turnover less than $1 million and if you want to make it to the 4% this book has solid advice from an experienced entrepreneur on how to become part of the 4%."
"A textbook for how to run and grow a thriving enterprise, it gives you the philosophies, actions, tools, and even the forms to implement it all."
"Excelente teory, dificult to achieve in practice."
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Best Curricula

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
This updated and revised edition of the American Book Award-winner and national bestseller revitalizes the truth of America’s history, explores how myths continue to be perpetrated, and includes a new chapter on 9/11 and the Iraq War. James W. Loewen is the bestselling author of Lies My Teacher Told Me and Lies Across America.
Reviews
"Every teacher in the country should read this book and be guided by it when teaching students of all ages."
"just an all around great read."
"It has tons of great information about things that are often taught to "favor" the United States in American History classrooms."
"This book should be mandatory in all middle - high school classrooms."
"What was bought was a piece of paper that Columbus made a claim, it wasn't anything."
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Best Crime & Criminal Biographies

The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit
Living in a tent even through brutal winters, he had survived by his wits and courage, developing ingenious ways to store edibles and water, and to avoid freezing to death. It is a gripping story of survival that asks fundamental questions about solitude, community, and what makes a good life, and a deeply moving portrait of a man who was determined to live his own way, and succeeded. MICHAEL FINKEL is the author of True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa , which was adapted into a 2015 major motion picture.
Reviews
"Not only is this story of Chris Knight one of the most compelling that I have read in some time, but the lengths that you went to, to research his venture into the woods of Maine, to understand him, to get to know him, clearly better than anyone else has, and to represent him with such dignity, astounds me. While some, especially those whose homes were burgled, might still never understand what would cause a person to want to live in such extreme conditions let alone in solitude, far removed from the ‘regular’ world, after reading the book, while I will never spend a night, let alone an hour in the woods, what drew Knight makes sense to me now. It’s not to say that after reading THE STRANGER IN THE WOODS that every reader will feel compelled to pick up and leave their jobs, families, and the comfort of modern society behind, but it sure does offer food for thought."
"I wanted to read this book as the Maine woods have been a part of my life and I was unfamiliar with this story until I saw this book. I realized from the start that at the core of this story was an important topic I already have been worrying about that I feel American society either is unaware of or is purposefully ignoring: the neuro-atypical person and the challenge of how they will live (not thriving but suffering) in modern America. Knight was content and found peace in living that life until he was caught with the help of sophisticated surveillance equipment while robbing food from a nonprofit camp for disabled children (including kids on the Autism Spectrum). The heartbreaking part of this story is that the suffering that Knight endured was due to square pegs not fitting in the round holes of modern American society, his relief and contendedness was found living in isolation in nature, but this is not really allowed in America, and when possible it's only available to those who are able to financially support themselves due to an inheritance or some income stream that they are lucky to find that meshes with their talents and abilities. But this book provides more food for thought, for me at least, than just Knight's hermit years story. I hope this book is a catalyst for Americans to think about this issue, with the rising rates of Autism and mental illness, we have more people this decade than ever before who are not fitting in with the mandatory American public school system and who are not fitting in to work jobs as adults enough to support themselves independently let alone the issue of if a person is happy or content."
"Many of us dream of secluding from the busyness of modern living—the fast-paced, noisy, cyclical nature in which life has become; yet many of us do not have the courage or tenacity to pursue such a dream, much less achieve this dream for the amount of time that Knight did. On a practical level, Michael Finkel has written this biographical account excellently."
"My heart goes out to Mr. Knight."
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