The World's Story 2: The Middle Ages (MP3 Audiobook Download)

Our family is excited to have the audiobook version of this book to use along with the World’s Story curriculum. It is extra special to have the book narrated by the author, Angela O’Dell. The lessons are typically 16-19 minutes long, and hold our attention. It is so convenient to be able to listen to the lesson, especially if we are in the car. I appreciate how World’s Story 2 covers the Middle Ages from a Biblical worldview and includes Church history as well. If you are using the World’s Story curriculum, I would definitely recommend also having the textbook because of all the pictures and other helpful visual information. However, the audiobook is a helpful tool and is even beneficial to listen to even if you aren’t working through the curriculum. I think it is enjoyable and beneficial for kids and adults.

We have loved Angela O'Dell's audio versions of her books since we started America's Story and the World's Story did not disappoint. The content is leveled up, but it still feels like our historian aunt is sitting around the fireside telling us about the impactful events of history. The files were so easy to save, use, and play on my computer. I find myself listening ahead of my students, like a podcast. If you weren't using the World's Story textbook, I think these could be an enjoyable car trip or audiobook to listen to in installments.

History has never been something that captures my attention but I really enjoy listening to Angela O’Dell & her history books. This audiobook is no exception. She tells what is important in a matter of fact manner while tying in the Biblical worldview. The audiobook is great supplement to the physical book as well as just listening for fun. My younger kids even enjoy listening along.

Angela O’Dell’s history books feel like sitting down with a friend telling you stories from history, and connecting the stories with your own life at points. I think that feeling is even more enhanced by actually listening to her on this audiobook. In this brief overview of the Middle Ages, she shows how the Christian church is actually a major force in this time period. I appreciate her pointing out that not all that happened in the name of “Christianity” is Christian, explaining that nobody can “force someone to convert to Christianity” because it is a personal choice from the heart that will completely change someone from the inside out. Among other things, she introduces us to many faithful Christians against the backdrop of historical context, which whets my appetite to learn more about them!

I must say, I love the printed textbook with all its vivid illustrations, photos, and extra historical tidbits - and I don’t feel the audio is a substitute, but it complements it nicely if you want to follow along, or listen and come back to the visuals later. Personally, I enjoy listening so I can engage my students about what they’re studying since I don’t have time to actually read the lessons with them. I love getting the helicopter view of world history myself, too! That said, whether you have a student taking this course or not, I think parents and older students would enjoy this excellent audiobook.

As a homeschool mom, I’ve found The World’s Story 2: The Middle Ages audiobook from Master Books to be such a helpful resource. Having history read aloud brings the time period to life in a way that textbooks alone just can’t. The narration is clear and engaging, and it really helps my kids picture the events and people of the Middle Ages.
I especially appreciate how this book doesn’t just focus on battles and kings but also highlights the role of the church, everyday life, and how God’s plan was unfolding in history. Listening to it has sparked some great family discussions about faith, culture, and the choices people made during this time.
It’s flexible too—we can listen in the car, during lunch, or while working on projects, which makes it easy to fit history into our day. If you’re looking for a history resource that is engaging, biblically based, and practical for homeschool life, this audiobook is a wonderful choice.

I love, love, love that MB and Angela O’Dell make this option available. There are so many instances where it's not just helpful, but so, so practical and useful. First, this curriculum covers history from The Fall of Rome to the Renaissance. I enjoy the way O’Dell approaches history and truly seems to make it come alive for my kids and myself. The audio version is helpful in so many ways. From doing history on the go, to allowing the kids to listen to history while mom tends the toddler, to helping my dyslexic student feel more confident and have a better understanding than just reading alone would allow it is truly a game changer and a huge blessing to our family! I’m so thankful for this product and we have enjoyed learning history this way! We combine the textbook, audiobook and timeline pieces and have a complete history curriculum that the entire family loves!

World’s Story 2 covers the time period from the fall of Rome through the Renaissance. Throughout the book, Mrs. O’Dell highlights people and events related to church history. She continues the cultural connections sections that are characteristic of all her history curriculum books. This level would be appropriate for older elementary students and middle schoolers. When sensitive topics (for example, slavery) will be discussed, she gives parents a heads up so they know to either pause the audiobook and listen to it on their own before the students listen to the lesson or so they know to pay particular attention to that chapter. The content of the material is excellent. However, the narration itself is choppy. Playing around with the playback speed can help a little bit but sometimes the choppiness affects the flow of thought. A good on the go resource or the audio could be paired with the physical copy which would benefit the reader by providing the visuals.

I love these series and how Angela O'Dell presents history. It is conversational, interesting and easy to follow. I really like that Angela reads for the audiobook herself. I think it is the best when the author reads the book since she knows exactly how she wrote it. The Middle Ages is engaging, to the point and captivating.

This audiobook is such a helpful supplement, especially for families on the go. My daughter (who is currently taking the course) listens to it while following along in the physical book. We also listen to it in the car (streamed through my phone) while driving to, waiting for, and from other siblings’ sporting events/practice. Even my 7-year-old, who is not taking the course, says, “Don’t stop it yet,” or “Can we listen to a little more?” For our family, this audiobook is a win-win!

Angela O'Dell's engaging presentation of the important people, places and events has really brought History to life for me. I am amazed at how well she weaves a biblical Worldview into even the most difficult situations while preserving the beauty of the culture and eras being studied. The introductions to all of her books are a must read as they show her heart for the students to view history in a way that points them to Christ.

I appreciated how this series includes history from eastern and western lands. Angela does a wonderful job of showing the positives and negatives of the different people and the impact their choices had on others. I also appreciated her warnings about sensitive topics that may be more difficult for a sensitive student like the Bubonic Plague.

I was already looking forward to using this series with my oldest in the next year or so, but having the audiobook is a gamechanger! We have loved listening to the America's Story books and World's Story 1 as we drive so that we can easily and leisurely pause and discuss what we are learning together. Aside from the more intense portions, I think my younger ones will enjoy the parts they can understand as they listen along.