LOS ANGELES, July 22, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Imagine paying extra money to send your children to Catholic school and not having History textbooks with vignettes about saints or other relevant Catholic historical contributions. That has been the case for the past 40 years. Until now, Catholic schools have had to choose between using secular history textbooks or reproducing old, out-of-date history textbooks previously written for Catholic schools. But now that has changed.
The brainchild of a frustrated headmaster who could not find suitable history textbooks for his students, the Catholic Schools Textbook Project was established to respond to the exhortation of the Second Vatican Council to lead students to "knowledge...illumined by Faith" (Gravissimum Educationis, No. 8).
A lot has happened in the last 40 years -- moon landings, the ending of the Vietnam War, the Roe v. Wade ruling, the Second Vatican Council, the explosion of the Internet, two Gulf Wars, the worldwide travels of Pope John Paul II, his apostolic letters and encyclicals, the saintly example of Mother Teresa, and the canonization of more than 200 new saints worldwide.
These events present a host of new challenges for today's Catholic student. Many of the newly canonized saints also provide strong new role models for children of our modern world, such as St. Maximilian Kolbe, who resisted the Nazis and who also embraced the most advanced technology of his age.
Endorsed by nine bishops, with a seven-member Episcopal Advisory Board and many history project advisors, this new series now has two of its projected nine-book series produced, with three more near completion.
"All Ye Lands: World Cultures and Geography" has been in schools for a little over a year and is receiving rave reviews. Timelines, maps, charts and illustrations give depth and context to the stories presented. It is currently being used in Catholic schools in more than 17 states, Canada and the Philippines.
"From Sea to Shining Sea: The Story of America" recounts the story of North America-the Indian nations, European colonization, the founding and history of the United States up to the early twentieth century. Told as a series of engaging and historically accurate stories, the volumes include thumbnail biographies, lives of the saints, maps, illustrations and other supplemental material. The textbooks are suitable for middle grades. Teacher's Manuals are available.
"Finally, a history textbook series that tells the truth with historical accuracy!" says Jack Kersting, headmaster at Trinity Grammar & Prep School in Napa, California. "We used All Ye Lands at Trinity this past year and the response of teachers, students, and parents was overwhelmingly positive. The maps, graphs, charts, and sidebars were extremely helpful. This is by far the best history textbook series in many years! We intend to integrate the entire Catholic Schools Textbook Project series into the Trinity curriculum as soon as possible."
For more information, call toll free (866) 458-3332 or check online at www.CatholicTextbookProject.com.
Digital high-res images of book covers available immediately upon request.