Ancient Greece

by John D. Clare

Published 18 November 1993
Describes the ancient Greek civilization. Discover how democracy and philosophy both had their origins in ancient Greece and how Greek ideas about mathematics, science, and medicine are still relevant. Also see the Greeks in their homes and learn about their gods and festivals.

Industrial Revolution

by John D. Clare

Published 18 November 1993
This an account of a technological revolution which transformed society throughout the world and which some historians believe is still continuing today. Using contemporary documentation from Britain, Europe and America, John Clare draws the reader into the excitements of the industrial success: the development of railways, the growth of industry, the progress made in the field of science. He also shows the reader some of the devastating results of this period of tremendous expansion.

The Vikings

by John D. Clare

Published 17 October 1991
Part of the "I Was There" series which brings history to life by using computer paintbox technology. The sights, smells and practicalities of various periods of history are made real and the reportage text gives a new sense of immediacy to historical experience. Each book is created with the requirements of the National Curriculum in mind.

The Roman Empire

by John D. Clare

Published 12 November 1992
"The Roman Empire" is a resource for Key Stage 3 teaching and learning about the issues and events that characterize the history of the Roman peoples and their world. It never lets go of the period's story providing innovative and exciting opportunities to examine the big picture and investigate particular topics. Did you know that archaeologists have found ancient huts on the Palatine Hill in Rome, right where legends claim Romulus founded the city; that the government paid for free corn to be given to all citizens in Rome to make bread; or that the fine sand used on the floor of the Colosseum to soak up the blood of gladiators came from Egypt?

Knights in Armour

by John D. Clare

Published 17 October 1991
Why did knights wear armour? How was it made? What was it like to fight in a battle? Why did knights joust? How did a man become a knight? This book traces the progress of a young nobleman, as he becomes first a page, then a squire, and finally a knight. It looks at the lives of the peasants who lived on the knights' estates, investigates the role of women, and considers the influence of the church. Using contemporary evidence to distinguish myth from reality, "Knights in Armour" tells the story of the knights, from their early beginnings as cavalry soldiers, to the time when the pikes, cannons and handguns replaced them as the supreme fighting force. A lively text combines with photographic re-enactments to bring the knights to life for a 20th-century readership.

Christopher Columbus

by John D. Clare

Published 4 June 1992
Part of the "I Was There" series, this volume tells the story of Columbus, the son of an obscure Italian weaver, who grew up to be one of the most famous explorers of all time. It follows Christopher Columbus from his boyhood in Genoa to his fourth and final voyage across the Atlantic, encountering shipwreck, mutiny, rebellion and imprisonment along the way. Photographic re-enactments, combined with the text, aim to bring the explorer to life for a 20th-century readership. John D. Clare is the author of the "I Was There" series, which includes - "Pyramids of Ancient Egypt", "Knights in Armour", "Vikings", "Medieval Towns", "Roman Empire", "Industrial Revolution", "Ancient Greece", "First World War" and "Italian Renaissance".

Medieval Towns

by John D. Clare

Published 12 November 1992
What was it like to live in a western European town in the middle ages? What sort of houses did people live in? What sounds, sights and smells greeted them when they went out to buy food and fetch fresh water? Were the streets safe or dangerous, clean or filthy, crowded or quiet? With photographic re-enactments, this volume aims to show readers scenes from everyday medieval life: a holy day parade; children at school; an apprentice at work; and a craftsman in his shop. Readers are also allowed glimpses inside the houses of the rich and the poor: a merchant in his parlour; the wealthy at a feast; and a peasant in his hovel. Doctors attending a plague victim and a cart carrying off the bodies of the dead are also shown. The "I was there" series aims to bring history to life for a 20th-century readership. John D. Clare is the author of the "I Was There" series, which includes - "Pyramids of Ancient Egypt", "Knights in Armour", "Vikings", "Christopher Columbus", "Roman Empire", "Industrial Revolution", "Ancient Greece", "First World War" and "Italian Renaissance".

Pyramids of Ancient Egypt

by John D. Clare

Published 17 October 1991
Why did the ancient Egyptians bury their rulers in gigantic stone pyramids? How did they achieve such amazing feats of engineering with simple tools and equipment? What was life like for the peasants and craftsmen who provided the labour? How did the Egyptians mummify a body? This book looks at these questions in the light of recent research and comes up with some fascinating answers. The "I Was There" photographic re-enactments combine with lively text to bring the story of the pyramids to life for a 20th-century readership.

First World War

by John D. Clare

Published 3 November 1994

Italian Renaissance

by John D. Clare

Published 3 November 1994
This text looks at what it was like to live during the Italian Renaissance, between 1490 and 1527. Drawing inspiration from the classical past, arts, politics and ideologies, all things underwent a "rebirth". The book considers how, where and why the Renaissance came about, the rise and spread of humanist ideals, the life of the Court, the arts and patronage, the spread of printing, wars, the power of the papacy, the opening up of the New World, the sacking of Rome, the survival of Venice and the legacy of the Renaissance. Designed to be used for the supplementary study unit at Key Stage 3, the book includes a map and a timeline.