Review:
These playing card-sized history supplements portray 24 important figures in Catholic history (the remaining card is a cover card with instructions for games that can be played with the set). There is one card for each of the following people: Alfred the Great, St. Joan of Arc, Prince Henry the Navigator, Christopher Columbus, Mary Queen of Scots, Marco Polo, John Henry Cardinal Newman, Fr. Jacques Marquette, King St. Louis IX, Queen Isabel of Castile, Charlemagne, St. Francis Xavier, Dante Aleghieri, Emperor Constantine the Great, St. Thomas More, G.K. Chesterton, Junipero Serra, St. Benedict, Francisco Franco, Hernando Cortez, Michelangelo, St. Augustine of Hippo, King Philip II of Spain and Mother Teresa. The back of each card offers a brief biographical sketch highlighting key events and accomplishments of each figure. The views expressed regarding these historical figures (particularly some of the more controversial ones) are consistent with the historical writings of Anne and Warren Carroll. The game involves learning the key facts and gaining points for identifying different levels of information (from simply recognizing the figure on the card to identifying the Christian significance of the individual). The cards are very professional in appearance and come in a small clear plastic case with a hinged lid.
It's nice to find a colorful Catholic history supplement of this nature that includes both saints and other figures of importance. I'm sure that many children will enjoy this fun way of learning about key Catholic figures from history. It should also serve to inspire them to learn more about their favorite ones. Even though I've read a great deal about History, simply reading these brief sketches helped me make some interesting connections that I hadn't yet made. My only complaint is that the writing style in some portions of the biographical sketches is rather poor.