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YWAM Heroes of History Review

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This YWAM History of Heroes review was prompted by our love for Janet and Geoff Benge’s entire series of books published by YWAM Publishing.

Biographies have always been a part of our science, math, and history studies. The YWAM History of Heroes series is our absolute, hands-down favorite set of biographies because it gives readers a detailed and rich look into not only the person and their accomplishments but also the cultural context and historical events of the day. (Events such as the war between the states, the Johnstown Flood, presidential elections, presidential assassinations, the Depression, the Franco-Prussian War, and more.)

 We get to peek into the lives of these historical figures—what they were thinking and how they overcame social, cultural, and economic roadblocks to achieve goals.

The biography of George Washington Carver is filled with examples of how he overcame poverty and racism to get an education, start the Farmer’s Institute, and invent things we still use today. His life story is truly remarkable.

heroes of history review

The story of Milton Hershey is one of a man whose early childhood was filled with financial poverty and academic troubles. Yet, his curiosity and dogged determination took him places in life to not only build a chocolate empire that thrives today but something bigger that continues to give many disadvantaged children opportunities today.

We were fascinated by the life of Milton Hershey. So many of us have no idea what a fascinating life he lived. He had some education struggles, and what he accomplished and built for future generations of students is inspiring. While reading this book, check out this Milton Hershey and his chocolate unit study. This definitely will enrich your journey through his life.

In this review, we’ll cover the biographies of George Washington Carver, Milton Hershey, and Clara Barton. I will not give too many details, but I want to pique your interest and help you see the depth and richness these biographies bring to a science and history-related study.

YWAM Biographies – More Than a Story

YWAM publishes two series of biographies—Heroes of History and Christian Heroes Then and Now.

Not many biography series have such an extensive library of titles that can be enjoyed by students of a wide age range or by families as part of a read-aloud time. I love how these biographies are written with multiple themes that are excellent jumping-off points for further learning.

heroesofhistorycompleteset

These themes include:

  • Personal struggles and determination
  • Cultural influences of the time
  • The advancement of science and technology and its impact on the quality of life
  • Social struggles such as racism, poverty, and access to education

There are unit study guides to go along with some of the biographies that help you build an age-appropriate study around the themes and the person.

Heroes of History contains 32 titles and includes the biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Ben Carson, Clara Barton, Benjamin Franklin, Billy Graham, Elizabeth Fry, Ernest Shackleton, Harriet Tubman, Louis Zamperini, and many more!

The Christian Heroes series includes the biographies of such missionaries as George Mueller, Eric Liddell, Lottie Moon, Gladys Aylward, and more.

I also want to mention their younger readers—The Heroes for Young Readers and the Heroes of History for Young Readers.

We have also listened to almost every missionary biography by Janet and Geoff Benge. I highly recommend these, too. The missionary stories are especially helpful should you, your family, or one of your children plan to serve on the mission field. I listened to many of these before going on my first three-month mission assignment. The struggles and joys of the mission field 100 years or more ago still apply to the mission field today.

Even if you support a domestic or international missionary, these books give you a realistic look into life on the mission field.

Both series are available in print and audiobook formats. For our History of Heroes review, we opted for the audiobook format. Our family has auditory learners, and listening to them on car trips or during art activities works well for us. The audiobooks range from about 4 to 5 hours in length.

About Janet and Geoff Benge, Authors of the Heroes of History Series

The Benge’s are a husband-and-wife team who served on the mission field for many years. The Benge’s started writing a newsletter to keep their supporters informed about their work. Through a series of events, YWAM asked them to write books about missionaries. The Christian Heroes Then and Now Series was started and became a reader favorite. Their partnership eventually led to the Heroes of History Series. When it came to selecting people to highlight in the series, The Benge’s wanted to present historical figures who were inspiring and interesting. They wanted to write about people whose lives represented the message of going out and doing something inspiring to change the world around them for the better.

Each person they write about is thoroughly researched, and Geoff gives extra details about the historical events in the person’s life and does a thorough fact-check.  

The Benge’s have written over 79 titles in both series.

In this review of the History of Heroes Series, I will provide:

  • A brief description of the following three YWAM biographies: George Washington Carver, Milton Hershey, and Clara Barton
  • How you can incorporate each title into a science study or other science activities
  • Links to resources to use with these biographies

Heroes of History Review – George Washington Carver

The story begins with George Washington Carver being rescued from bushwhackers in 1800 Missouri by Susan and Moses Carver.  He was then separated from his parents and raised by the Carvers.

While living with the Carvers, he learned to make everything they needed, except coffee and sugar, from what they grew on their land. He had an intense interest in nature, especially plants. He would search for new plants and then transplant one of every plant to a place in the woods. He studied and identified their ideal growing conditions. As you read through the book, you will repeatedly see this theme of self-motivation.

People would bring him their sick plants, and he would work to rescue them and nurse the plants back to health. By eight years old, he was known as The Plant Doctor. When you stop and think about how remarkable that is. This is another theme throughout his life; George Washington Carver accomplished much with little money and no fancy equipment, using his keen intellect, creativity, and forward thinking.

However, at a young age, he was frustrated that he could not read or write. Because of racism, he had never been able to attend school, which was a whites-only school. He was hungry for science and had many nature-based questions he wanted to answer. George eventually learned to read, leaving the Carver household in his early teens and heading to Fort Scott to look for work.

Over the coming years, he used some surprising talents to raise money to advance his education goals. I don’t want to divulge how he used EVERY experience and skill he gained in his childhood to earn money to move his life forward toward his dreams. But it’s a true lesson in character building for our children. When you read this biography with your kids, I recommend stopping at this point and discussing how George used his past to shape who he was in the present day and how he used that knowledge.

However resourceful he was to earn money, he faced setbacks due to racism, including the threat of physical harm and having his books destroyed.  The Benge’s do discuss some events that involve physical violence and death people suffered due to racism.

Given his sheer determination, intellect, and quick thinking, he moved forward month by month, year by year. George Washington Carver also met people along the way who helped him; they saw his intellect, creativity, and potential. They encouraged him, gave him money and/or shelter, and advised him to further his studies.  

I purposefully do not cover many details of his teen years and the years he pursued his high school and college education because there is so much to tell, and it’s an incredible journey. How George Washington Carver used the knowledge he had gained, his experiences, and his talents to start and run successful businesses is an inspiration and an excellent example to our children. He used that money to save for college fees and books.

In college, Mr. Carver studied agriculture, and his passion was teaching people better farming techniques. He also studied soil science and taught farmers about potash, phosphorus, and keeping soil fertile. He taught the farmers about Mendel and plant genetics.

He studied mycology and identified 20,000 different varieties of mushrooms.

While his college studies helped him gain this knowledge, he learned even more by observing, experimenting, and studying nature. While reading this book, it’s interesting to see where our country, especially farming, was with its understanding of soil science, plant nutrition, and farming techniques. Learning how George Washington Carver single-handedly changed farming in the United States and internationally is fascinating. Government officials from Africa traveled to meet with Mr. Carver to take the farming knowledge he shared back to their continent.

His friend, Booker T. Washington, brought him to the Tuskegee Institute, where George Washington Carver started an agriculture department.

Of course, he was a pioneer with the peanut plant. He found some very interesting uses for peanuts, but you must read the book to find out!

Henry Ford said George Washington Carver was the most influential scientist of the twentieth century.

Heroes of History Review – Milton Hershey

We selected this biography because I thought it was a good tie-in to a chemistry study, and I was truly curious to read about a person whose life story I had never considered reading.   

As I mentioned in the intro above, the Hershey’s struggled financially. Milton’s father, Henry, did not keep a steady job but always chased the “big dreams” of the day. It was an interesting time in history (1860s) with the oil finds in Pennsylvania, the gold rush,  and people looking for the riches the West promised.

One day, Milton’s uncles visited their family, found them in poverty, and brought them to the family farm in Dairy Church, Pennsylvania. Milton worked on the family farm there and helped sell goods at the local farmer’s market.

Milton’s mother and aunts played an influential role early on, and their vision for his life did not involve reading books and getting an education. His mother didn’t want him to go to school; she wanted him to work on the farm. But his father did want Milton to get an education.

Milton tried school but hated it. He had to walk three miles to school, and when he got there, he hated sitting at a desk. In addition, learning to read was a big struggle for him.

At this point in the story, we stopped to discuss the question, “What if the Hersheys had homeschooled?!” I saw some parallels in this story to my children—one child learns much better in a hands-on environment, and one struggled to read so much that we put it off for a year.

Milton’s father bought a farm, which Henry called “an experimental farm.” Milton left school early and tried several apprenticeships his mom and aunts found for him. The first apprenticeship did not work out.

He eventually became a confectioner apprentice, and Milton started by sweeping floors and cleaning tables.

At this point in the biography, I recommend holding up a Hershey’s candy bar and discussing Milton’s life so far in the book. He struggled in a traditional school setting, he struggled to read, he didn’t get a full formal education, his first apprenticeship was an ordeal, and then he started by sweeping floors. Knowing this and knowing he built the Hershey Chocolate brand, what does this say about his determination and not letting your struggle hold you back?

Milton Hershey’s story only gets more interesting and inspiring from this point forward.

Milton found his life’s work in the confectionery business. During his apprenticeship, he observed and experimented with new recipes, which the owner obliged him to do. When his apprenticeship was over, his aunt loaned him $150 to start making and selling his caramels. Milton continued to experiment with ingredients and temperature.

However, he did encounter some failures, and his uncle, who had loaned him money, said Milton would never succeed.

Milton Hershey didn’t stop there. With the help of his friend Levy, he got back on his feet. Levy would be by Milton’s side for decades, and Milton never forgot what Levy did for him with that small loan.

I don’t want to give away the rest of this remarkable story, especially the ending, where we learn how Milton Hershey used his fortune to continue helping children today.

He researched and conducted MANY experiments to make milk chocolate that would not spoil—so many chemistry lessons!

Milton Hershey’s story is not just about a man making a fortune. It’s a story of a person who didn’t learn well in a traditional school setting; he learned by doing. He struggled to learn to read, but that didn’t stop him from moving forward and staying determined despite job failures.

There are so many positive themes running through his life that we can discuss with our children.

Heroes of History Review – Clara Barton

Clara Barton was a very capable woman with a strong desire to help and contribute. However, she lived in a time when women weren’t allowed to do certain jobs.

At one point, she was employed at the patent office and eventually had to work from home because the men complained about having a woman in their work environment. At the same time, she went from being a salaried employee to getting paid 10 cents per 100 words she transcribed.  

Clara Barten grew up in North Oxford, Massachusetts, with four older siblings. Her brothers and sisters were 11 to 17 years older than her, so she felt like she had six parents. Her two oldest siblings were teachers and would bring books home to teach Clara how to read at the age of 3.

Before entering school at four, Clara spent hours playing war games with her father, who fought in the Revolutionary War. They used corn, peas, and sticks to represent soldiers and battlefields.

Her brothers also taught her to ride horses at an early age. When she entered the one-room schoolhouse for the first time at the age of four, the teacher tested her reading level. She was reading three grades ahead, so he moved her up with the older students.

Clara’s first job at 18 was as a schoolteacher. Her parents thought it was the best career for her. She started teaching summer school, which mostly girls and young children attended, as most of the boys were needed on the farm during the summer months.

Her hard work and determination lead her from being a teacher to starting a school. She faced many hurdles, including discrimination for being a woman trying to do what was perceived as a man’s job.

In her early thirties, she headed to Washington, DC. She obtained a job at the U.S. Patent Office, where she made many connections in the government. These connections would eventually serve Clara well as she pursued her pledge to herself at the start of the War Between the States –“As far as my small efforts can stretch, these soldiers will never lack a kindly hand or sister’s sympathy.”

Without formal medical training and her ability to get things done despite the discrimination against women during that time, Clara Barton collected and filled warehouse storage with donated medical supplies, clothing, and food. Then, she networked with her colleagues in Washington, DC, to get to the front lines.

This started a remarkable decades-long effort to help others during wartime and natural disasters. One interesting note is Clara’s research into natural disasters. (I’ll leave the details for you to enjoy in the story.)

Again, I don’t want to give away the entire story of Clara Barton’s life and contributions.

She learned much about working to get things done despite the social norms of the time, especially discrimination against women. However, as the years pass in her life, these attitudes start to reverse, making for an interesting book discussion.

Clara didn’t have formal training as a nurse. Still, the Benge’s shared information about how she tended to the wounded, assisted in surgeries, administered medicines, and helped set up makeshift hospitals. Unlike the story of George Washington Carver or Milton Hershey, she wasn’t conducting experiments; she had to learn the medical science of the day in the thick of battle.

There are many science-related topics and projects that dovetail well with this biography of Clara Barton. These ideas are outlined below

What I Like About the Heroes of History Series

Both the Heroes of History and Christian Heroes Then and Now Series are hands-down our favorite biographies. The characters have depth, and the stories give us a realistic view into their struggles, joys, and personal growth.

What I specifically like about the books:

  • These books make wonderful family read-alouds, plus they have bonus activities on their site.
  • Janet and Geoff Benge do a great job of telling the story through the eyes of the characters as small children, then young adults, and older adults. Throughout each biography, the reader moves not only through the events of the person’s life but also through their personal growth. The book’s perspective and well-written dialogue help us understand what the person may have been thinking and what guided their actions.
  • The details provided about the historical events give readers insight into life during times of hardship and struggle, but in an age-appropriate way. For example, they approach the killing of slaves, so the reader understands the heinous acts these were, but to be respectful of younger readers, they do not go into too-graphic of detail.
  • Each person (biography) highlights an individual who faced hardship, discrimination, or both yet displayed determination to reach their goals. They faced setbacks, but they didn’t give up. In moving through those setbacks, each person used their intelligence and creativity to work through the roadblocks others or the culture put in front of them. These hardships and victories lend themselves to discussions about how we grow and change through life and the lens through which we look at the current culture and react to it.
  • The dialogue is realistic and appropriate for the time in history. For example, you can almost hear the voice of Booker T. Washington as he explains the nutrients required to grow an abundant crop to his Farmer’s Institute attendees. In the story of Clara Barton, you can hear her pleading her case with an army General to go to the battlefield’s front lines with supplies.
  • The books enrich a history and science study. Below I’ve outlined ideas for using the books alongside a science study. We used the Clara Barton book as part of a study on germs and first aid. Booker T. Washington was part of a science study of peanuts. We used Milton Hershey’s biography for a chemistry study, specifically when we did several candy experiments that I’ve linked below.

You can purchase these books on the YWAM site at the following links:

How to Incorporate the Heroes of History Biography of George Washington Carver into a Science Study

Below are ways to incorporate this biography into a science study. This is an easy add if you’re using a curriculum to study botany, chemistry, or biology. If you are more of a unit study or an interest-led homeschooler, use the list below to create a full-blown or mini-unit study.

George Washington Carver

  • Plants and mycology
  • Soil science – nutrients different plants and crops need. Research the crops grown in your location and the best soil conditions for those plants.
  • Helpful and harmful insects in your location and how they affect the farmers and crops in your area.
  • Peanuts – How are they grown and processed? What products are made from peanuts? Further research on what George Washington Carver invented from peanuts and peanut shells (and what he attempted to make with them!)
  • Careers in farm science
  • If you don’t keep a nature journal, start one. Journaling and recording what he observed in plants was how Mr. Carver learned and formed experiments, even from the age of eight!
  • How to properly store seeds (He talked to farmers about this.)
  •  Study Booker T. Washington, who had a major role in Mr. Carver’s life and his contributions to science.       

Milton Hershey

  • Cacao trees and how chocolate is made
  • The chemical compounds in chocolate
  • Sugar crystallization and sucrose molecules
  • The chemistry of non-crystalline candies
  • The chemistry of glass-type candies
  • Acid and base reactions in candies like Pop Rocks
  • What are emulsifiers, and why are they used in candies
  • The chemistry of flavorings and the taste receptors in our mouth
  • The work of flavor chemists like Keene Dimick (1915–1990)

Clara Barton

  • The immune system
  • Blood and how blood clots
  • How to administer CPR and basic first aid
  • The history of surgery and surgical equipment
  • The technology behind limb prosthetics
  • How medications work to numb or block pain
  • How to care for different types of wounds
  • Understanding germs, how infections start, how to care for skin infections
  • Research the types of natural disasters, where they occur most, and how often
  • Research the needs during the different natural disasters and how the Red Cross helps
  • Research the technology used to relay messages back in the 1860s
  • Nutrition and malnutrition (which was a serious problem on the battlefields)

Hands-On Science Activities to Use with the Heroes of History Series

Heroes of History – 3-Audiobook Giveaway

YWAM Publishing is sponsoring a 3-audiobook giveaway which includes the biographies of George Washington Carver, Clara Baron, and Milton Hershey.

Use the giveaway widget below to enter. Please use an email address you check regularly so we can contact you in the even you win. If no response is received within 10 days, a new winner will be selected. Thank you!

Heroes of History 3-Audiobook Giveaway

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