Drive Thru History Adventures (Homeschool Review Crew)

One of the great things about the composition of the Homeschool Review Crew is families, learning styles, and needs are incredibly varied.  Each time a new product comes up for review, Crew Members are asked to submit a form that includes an evaluation of how much we feel a program would suit our child(ren)'s needs.  When Drive Thru History Adventures came up for review, in the "What else should we know?" section, I included a note:

I'm not too proud to beg for this one! Three videos into The Gospels from last year's review, Matthew was begging "Are there any more Dave videos?" We absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE his delivery. I think we'd rank him tied for our top three "teachers" [for any program we've used].  We even have a trip back to Washington DC for the Museum of the Bible in the works. It's something that would probably be on our "eh, doesn't sound exciting" list, and Matthew looked at me like I had three heads when I said it was opening and we should go. When he found out Dave & Co. did the video presentations for it, suddenly, a Bible museum sounded cool to my teen! Matthew's bugging me at least twice a week, "When are we going, when are we going??" 

THAT is how impressive Dave Stotts is.  I knew this was going to be a good one.

Our one-year subscription to Drive Thru History Adventures comes with access to three core programs: an 18-week course on Bible History (The Gospels), a 12-week course on early American History, and a 12-week course of Ancient History that focuses on early Greece, Rome, and Asia Minor.  These programs are fantastic for several age/grade ranges.  Simply watching the videos provides an excellent overview for younger students (kindergarten through middle school), but combining the videos with discussion guide questions and provided further reading and discussion sections creates a well-rounded course for older students.  Our house focused on the Ancient History course for this review period.

Now, I could tell you all about the variety of topics Dave discusses in the course, and how they've affected our world's history, society, government, and theology.  You could probably guess that much, considering the Ancient History course is subtitled "Christianity and the Birth of Western Civilization."  It starts with the founding of Rome and covers through to the fall of Constantinople.  Along the way, you'll discover Romans, the Greeks, and to some degree, the Muslims, Arabs, and Jews.  We studied The Gospels with Drive Thru History last year, and that approaches history from a Biblical perspective, using historical events to underscore the Bible as both a religious and historical book, and not a work of abject fiction. While this course approaches history from a Christian viewpoint, it is more secular history, weaving  Biblical/Christian events and Scripture passages into the story for timeline purposes.  Maps, art, and photographs provide visual explanations that help clarify audio voice-overs.

The presentation isn't just "here's this town, here's what happened."  Dave explores a lot of the culture of the places and really helps to put the civilizations in context of themselves.  One thing that really annoys me is many history courses tend to look at history through today's society and conscience.  We may realize today that the Oracle at Delphi's trance was probably induced by mind-altering substances that today either the courts or the FDA heavily regulate and not by a communique with the gods. However, that doesn't mean that the peasant-ish folks of back then (who wouldn't have had access to these substances) were fools.  It was just a different time and philosophy, and Dave takes pains to make sure we understand when things happened, not just what things happened. He also shows us where places have been abandoned, and where they continue to thrive.

I liked that there were two options for learning. One was the content filled "regular site," where students could access the videos and all of the related accompaniments.  With the Adventures TV app, viewers can take the videos with them on tablets and smartphones.  There were times where we needed to be away from home, and he could work with his phone and earbuds, then come home and finish assignments.  However, even if you think, "I don't want or need all of that, I'm just interested in the topic and would like to watch videos," a subscription is still worth the investment (the app is free, but a subscription is required to access content).  You will have access to the same video content as the full site, including all of the formal programs plus additional content such as "Side Roads" that tie into the programs but wander down less formal garden paths, "Dave's Adventures", and "Behind the Scenes" videos about the building of the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC and how Drive Thru History has been involved.  (Dave has mentioned in his Dave's Adventures videos that he will be there on March 15, 2018. I almost considered making the trip just for the chance to shake his hand, but it's also my hubby's birthday, so Dave is safe from this crazy mama going all fangirl on him.)  I was delighted to find out that this indeed is a family membership - I could be logged in watching one thing while Matthew was logged in watching his next lesson!

However, Mom going on and on about how well produced the videos are, how much content the lessons contain, and how Dave is so engaging that he reels you in and leaves you disappointed when an episode is over really doesn't mean much if you're thinking, "Ok, you like it, but you're not the one who actually has to study the stuff. You're doing it for fun."  So, I asked Matthew to sit down and write three paragraphs:  one about the content, one about the benefits of the Drive Thru History Adventures subscription program versus the stack of DVDs he's been using, and one about Dave.

--from Matthew---

In the course, I learned way more about events compared to reading about them. For instance, if I were to just read about the underground tunnels and cross-shaped church, located in Cappadocia, Turkey, I most likely wouldn’t give it much thought. A textbook would have pictures, but there would only be one or two, and wouldn’t show the most important aspects. Mr. Stotts explained how the Hittites built the top layers of the cave system, and then the Christians dug to eight stories down. Watching Mr. Stotts explore the cave, I saw just how difficult the tunnels were to navigate.

Passages get smaller, making it impossible for Romans with shields to get through. He showed how a giant doughnut-shaped rock would seal the passageway shut. A center hole was in the rock, and Christians on the defensive could poke a spear or shoot an arrow through the hole, causing deadly harm.

 At the very bottom was a cross-shaped church. Because Mr. Stotts had a cameraman scanning the entire area, I could see all of it, not just a small section that was in a single frame. He even pointed out where the early Christians carved a cross into the rock wall of their church.

When I started the Drive Thru History Ancient History course, I was watching them on DVDs. I was really happy to use a streaming option. The website is much easier to use with all the lessons being in one place and being easier to access.  It is hard to watch the lesson video if you can’t find the right DVD that you put away somewhere and forgot exactly where you put it for next time, or if you put it away in a hurry and scratch it. With the streaming option, they were always on the same website. The website also expanded on documents in the video, while the DVDs did not. I liked that there were pre-written discussion questions because it meant I could work by myself, rather than having to wait for Mom to watch with me and write questions out herself.  We actually had watched a few, and the website's questions were almost the same as what she wrote for me to answer.

Mr. Stotts is funny most of the time but is serious at the right time. I loved the addition of the bloopers in the Ancient History Adventures course. My favorite bloopers were the ones from the Laodicea ruins involving the rubber duck, and how he managed to still have it in his hand every single time he tried to continue filming.

If it wasn't in the one hand, it was in the other one (or on his head) until finally he jokingly ate the duck in frustration (which I found hilarious because I can understand how he felt when you keep messing up by accident).

 I didn’t feel bad laughing when struggled to find his way around Rome because he was sarcastic and poking fun at his frustration. I’ve studied both Ancient History and the Gospels from Drive Thru History and really enjoyed learning. It would be great if there were courses on other cultures mentioned but not expanded on in the courses, like the effects of the Muslims taking over the Holy Roman Empire, or even later eras like the Renaissance.

-----

Mom again.  I think that if you leave a teenager wanting more history, you've got a good thing going.

To celebrate their launch, Drive Thru History Adventures has two specials for new subscribers. First, they are offering a copy of the DVD set The Gospels as a gift with a subscription.  Click the Drive thru History logo below to claim this offer.

Second, they are offering readers of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine (the parent company of the Homeschool Review Crew) a 20% discount.  The promotion code can be found on page 19 of the Winter Edition.  You can access the digital issue by clicking the magazine image below.

We love Drive Thru History Adventures.  Dave has mentioned that there is another Bible-based series launching soon, and we can't wait!  In the meantime, we'll be over in the corner, glued to our laptops and phones, watching Drive Thru American History!  If you'd like to read more about Drive Thru History Adventures, including specifics on the other history programs offered, click the banner below. 

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Heirloom Audio Productions: A Roundup of Reviews

 "Tidying my blog" is high on my to-do list, so as I get a few minutes, I've been trying to work on chipping away at this task.  After five years of being part of the Crew, I realized I have a lot of reviews.  In the past, I've tried to compile them into single-page lists, but I know I've got a bit of cataloging to catch up on.  However, as I wrote our review for Wulf the Saxon, I realized that it was our ninth review for Heirloom Audio Productions, so I think the lineup deserves a place of its own!

What is Audio Theater?

What is “audio theater”? Well, if you were my grandmother, you’d call it a “radio drama." With no way to transmit visual pictures, the entire story needed to be conveyed with sound – the actors’ dialogue, their tone and inflection, and the music and accompanying sounds – to be brought to life. With genres from westerns to murder mysteries, the sounds of the show played as important a role as the plot itself in immersing the listener in the story. As television rose to prominence in the 1950s and ‘60s, the radio drama faded to near static.  Heirloom Audio Productions combines stellar casts, original music, and classic stories written by G. A. Henty into a treat for everyone!

Under Drake's Flag
Review Date: September 2014

The story is based on the 1880 novel Under Drake's Flag: A Tale of the Spanish Main by G. A. Henty. It begins with Sir Francis Drake's 1572 voyage to the Americas, during the Spanish Inquisition and English-Spanish slave trade. The story does not say precisely how long the boys are marooned in America; it is inferred that they return to England on Drake's 1577-80 circumnavigation (Drake's ship is sighted north of Lima, and the boys travel across South America on foot to meet the ship after it passes through the Straits of Magellan). Like any good historical story, there are a number of sides, including a final "viewing through objective and modern eyes."

In Freedom's Cause
Review Date: February 2015

Before we even got to listen to the dialogue on this CD, The music invites you into the story and hints at the intrigue to come. G.A. Henty tells us a story of Scotland's yearning and fight for freedom led by two notable men in history, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Luke was especially excited to listen to this story about William Wallace, the great Scotsman who wanted freedom for his country. While we were waiting for our CDs to arrive, he was participating in a course about the history of the United States government, and the lecturer wanted us to look at the American Revolution in context of recent-to-then history. Not really knowing who William Wallace was, Luke was excited to study Wallace more in depth so he could better understand the early Americans' fierce desire for autonomy.

With Lee in Virginia
Review Date: July 2015

With Lee in Virginia was a much-anticipated edition here. Not only did we recently study the American Civil War, but we were literally going to be "with Lee in Virginia" this summer -- we were heading to Appomattox Court House National Park. The timing couldn't have been better! History tends to look at war from the side of the victor, and the Civil War is no exception. There is plenty to study about the Union generals, but the leaders of the Confederacy are often overlooked. There tends to be an "us vs. them, winners vs. losers" mentality, especially in the current political climate. However, it's important to remember that many of the soldiers -- from infantry on up to Supreme Commander General Lee -- were once soldiers in the Federal army. The bulk of the story is told through a young soldier's experience as a soldier, with Lee actually playing the role of a mentor. He teaches the new recruit that each man has to decide what is most important to him and commit to that decision. The honor of a man is not in his absolute success, but in his commitment and his word.

The Dragon and the Raven
Review Date: March 2016

The story takes place in the late 9th century, and the Vikings are steadily taking over Brittania. It begins with the events surrounding the Battle of Mercia. God and Scripture are delicately woven through the story. Though these play an integral part in the worldview of the characters and propel the story forward, the listener isn't made to be felt as if being bludgeoned with a bible. In the era of this story, religion and theology are as intertwined into the character's lives as sunrise and supper. When all seems hopeless, it is easy for many to turn their backs on God; after all, it would seem as though He has forsaken them. In this retelling of the victory, it is through Alfred's faith that they are saved from the enemy; he stuns one of the most feared Viking leaders by showing mercy to captured Danes.

Beric the Briton
Review Date: July 2016

Unlike the other stories, "Henty" (portrayed once again by Brian Blessed; John Rhys-Davies also is a repeat participant) is not directly interacting with our old friends Ned and Gerald, but rather reading aloud a letter he is sending to them as he travels on a ship. In his message is the tale of Beric the Briton. Beric is the son of a chieftainess in Brittania, in a time when clans ruled themselves but Rome ruled the world. Beric, who has been in the keeping of a Roman centurion, attempts to help the clans overthrow the Romans, but he is taken as a prisoner and made to train as a gladiator in Rome itself. He wins his freedom by saving that centurion's daughter from certain death in the Colosseum and finds himself Nero's head guard.

The Cat of Bubastes
Review Date: September 2016

This is the first time we've directly compared one of Henty's original texts with an Heirloom Audio adaptation. If Matthew had had his way, he would have liked to have listened to this rather than reading the book. Despite being considered one of Henty's greatest action stories, I found the original story dry as well. Generally, I would say that it's better to first read the book, and then watch (or listen to, in this case) the "movie." However, I think introducing the story with this production, which carefully adapts the original story, and then reading the book would make the book more approachable to younger readers or those who struggle with keeping characters, plot, and themes organized when reading.

In the Reign of Terror
Review Date: August 2017

When we left off our listening to Heirloom Audio Productions, "Henty" hinted at returning to "London on the 14th of July, which is a date that has significance in quite another story..." our guess was it would have something to do with the French Revolution. We were excited to learn that we were right, and he was hinting at Heirloom Audio's In the Reign of Terror.  Henty points out a significant difference between the Americans and the French Revolutions: in America, violence against the Crown is the last resort, and men are judged by their politics and words, not their bloodlines. Henty's story focuses on the right that a few men could accomplish, even in the face of all of this killing. The author points out that ideals of "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" are nothing if poor execution (rather literally) follows.

Captain Bayley's Heir
Review Date: September 2017

Entered the world of G. A. Henty and set off to "live the adventure" of protagonist Frank as he sailed from England to America, and then transversed the American continent to Sacramento, California during the era of the American Gold Rush. It's not smooth sailing, by either sea or prairie schooner! He flees England after being falsely accused of theft, nearly dies on a Mississippi flatboat, and is attacked by a band of Native Americans as he crosses the prairies. Just getting to California seems like it would be adventure enough, but there's also the whole dilemma of just who is Captain Bayley's heir? I'll leave that adventure for you to discover when you listen! I will say that, while this isn't a "whodunit" story, it left us with a similar "I did not see that one coming!" feeling. Don't worry -- it was a good "Whoa!"

Wulf the Saxon
Review Date: February 2018

Wulf's dream is to someday become a Thane and rule his family’s lands. He learns that meeting the standards of miliatary prowess isn't enough; Wulf must learn how to behave in a manner worthy of his position. Why? Because how he lives when he's not fighting still reflects upon Earl Harold, and ultimately, the King. This audio drama follows Wulf through the time leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066, as Wulf learns the value of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice.

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Heirloom Audio Productions: Wulf the Saxon (Homeschool Review Crew)

Wulf the Saxon is the ninth audio theater presentation from Heirloom Audio Productions' The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty series from that we have received for review.  This 2 1/2 hour long installment, available both as 2 CD set and digital download, focuses Wulf, who at the start is a sixteen-year-old Saxon page.  Wulf's dream is to someday become a Thane and rule his family’s lands.  The position and title of Thane predate what we commonly call "Knight," and is awarded to a man who holds himself to the highest standards as both a warrior and honorable man.  Wulf learns that meeting the standards of only one isn't enough; Wulf must learn how to behave in a manner worthy of his position.  Why? Because how he lives when he's not fighting still reflects upon Earl Harold, and ultimately, the King. This audio drama follows Wulf through the time leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066, as Wulf learns the value of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice.  There is most definitely war involved in the story, but the glory does not hide the despair and gruesomeness that is equally involved.  There is also a sweet, chaste romance between Harold and Agnes. In a time when most marriages were arranged for security or advancement, without friendship or even merely tolerance between the couple required, this a plot choice for both the 11th-century setting or the 19th century storyteller highlights Wulf's journey to manhood. One could argue that his good fortune to marry for love, rather than for mercenary reasons, was a result of his character's growth.

When Heirloom first began releasing their productions, audio dramas were re-emerging from their status as a "lost art."  It has enjoyed a resurgence in the "podcast" market, and we've listened to many in search of productions that are as expertly done, and unfortunately, have failed to find anything that captures our attention like these.  Some that have been pretty good, but nothing has reached the same standard of enjoyment that Wulf the Saxon and its predecessors consistently have.  I really wondered, "What is it that sets these apart?"

We've listened to several audio books - one of our favorites is The Wizard of Oz narrated by Anne Hathaway.  She reads in an emotive voice, changing her volume, tempo, and even tone as she tells the story.  But even the most well-read narration doesn't approach the same excitement as a dramatic reading, where individuals bring the characters to life without all of the extra "notes" about what characters are doing or thinking. Heirloom Audio brings the story to life with multiple actors and a dedicated script, so it far surpasses the "read aloud" category.

There are plenty of "real life" actors that have voice over careers that begin to eclipse their face roles - there's an entire generation of folks who know Mark Hamill as the voice of the Joker, not as Luke Skywalker.  (Heresy, but I digress.)  In our house, Heirloom Audio has helped another eclipse his Star Wars role: one of my kids watched "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace" and immediately recognized the voice of Boss Nass, saying, "Hey, he sounds like Mr. George in those CDs."  Well, that's because he is. Casting is both consistent and high quality.  Blessed has portrayed G. A. Henty in each production, providing continuity within the series, and Heirloom has chosen experienced actors who are established in their fields for other roles.  I'm not naive enough to think that name recognition isn't a plus, but the actors chosen are recognized names for a reason -- they're excellent at their craft. 

The actors embody their roles, even though we only hear their voices. Their voices convey excitement, despair, and everything between.  Ideally, you begin to feel the story through vocal inflections. However, I think this is where most of the "audio dramas" we have tried to listen to stop. Many that have billed themselves as "audio dramas" really are better classified as "dramatic readings."

Some recordings go further and add music. A new original score for the music is provided by John Campbell for Wulf the Saxon. With an extensive repertoire of audio dramas, including multiple Heirloom productions, on his résumé, Campbell is more than capable of using music to help bring a story to life.  Again, the music provides yet another voice in the story, conveying the emotion when words alone aren't sufficient.  But anybody wanting to record a story could find some good music to enhance the retelling.  I may not have wanted to listen to the music by itself (I always do for Campbell's compositions), but it's still there.

So I'm back to my original question: What sets Heirloom stories apart from even a stellar dramatic reading?  Like I said, we've now listened to nine productions in the series.  Why do we keep coming back to them? What sets them apart so that they've become the standard we use to judge everything else by?

 It finally became clear after we had listened to this production and then started on another non-Heirloom production that billed itself as an audio drama.  It had good voice acting, with actors who stayed "in character" throughout the recording.  There was even music to enhance the emotions.  But after struggling to keep myself invested in the story when as the story naturally ebbed, I noticed something distinct about the production.  There was no Foley. 

Foley art is the type of thing you don't notice...until you don't notice it.  Foley is the "extra" sounds that help propel a story. Imagine watching a door violently thrown shut, but you don't hear it slam.  Imagine seeing a horde of swordsmen battling, but you don't hear the clanging metal. Even with somebody narrating "The battle raged on!  Arrows flying, swords clanging..." you get the idea, but with well-crafted foley, the listener feels immersed in the action.  It invests them in the characters. When there are no visual cues, the Foley becomes critical, painting the pictures in the listener's mind. Todd Busteed is the Foley editor, and I'm convinced he's the unsung hero of the cast.  It's the sounds of battle that make Jude shrink back and cover his ears; it's soft footsteps that make Celia lean forward and hold her breath.  The narrated, "The ship was again driven against a submerged rock," propels the story, but the sounds of crashing waves and terrified men made me start to shiver nervously.  With the added Foley, the listener is drawn in and become emotionally invested, rather than remaining a passive listener.

Speaking of active listening, Heirloom Audio has created a special members-only group called "Live the Adventure! Club"  Features include a Listen & Learn Audio Library, teaching tools, an online community and several exclusive resources and discounts.

When a company produces a series of things, there always seems to be installments that aren't "as good."  I will freely admit that Wulf the Saxon, as a story, ultimately wasn't our cup of tea. We have a few Heirloom Audio Productions that are always requested, and a couple that get put aside until we're studying that era again.  This will probably be one that is shelved until we next study the Middle Ages. It's fast-paced and requires active listening (vs. having it on in the car on a long ride). Jude really wanted to listen to the CD but struggled because of his audio processing issues.  He loved the production value but became overwhelmed with the plot. I found myself having to say, "Wait, who's doing what where?" a few times - but there were parts I had to focus more on driving than listening.  However, Heirloom Audio Productions has once again come up with a fantastic production, and it's one that I would recommend.  We are already looking forward to the next production!   If you'd like to find out more about previous The Adventures of G. A. Henty releases, click the links to find individual reviews.  If you're interested in more Crew reviews about Wulf the Saxon, click the banner below.

Under Drake's Flag
In Freedom's Cause
With Lee in Virginia
The Dragon and the Raven
Beric the Briton
The Cat of Bubastes
In the Reign of Terror
Captain Bayley's Heir

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