The Amazing Bible World History Timeline - A Review

Product: The Amazing Bible World History Timeline

Price: $29.97 (2 for $49.97) (Additional copies - $24.97)

Bonus: Free Download of an Interactive Map of the Holy Land ($14.97 value)
Free Download of a Digital Amazing Bible Timeline ($14.97 value)

Guarantee: 60-day money back guarantee (including shipping)

Owners: Bill and Margaret Agard (Bible Charts and Maps, LLC)

Where to Buy: Bibletimeline.net



Brief Overview:
This is a huge timeline (approx 3' x 4'), using a compact circular design, that allows 6000 years to be viewed at once. Beginning with the creation of Adam, it includes events up to the year 2000. Events include both Biblical and world history, allowing for a convenient comparison of events happening in the same time frame.


In-Depth Look:
I have never owned a timeline. I have often thought of purchasing one and of even making our own. But I have never taken the plunge. So, when I received this timeline to review, it seemed like a good opportunity to see if timelines were a good fit for our family.

The timeline arrived in a huge cardboard box, in perfect condition. The timeline isn't laminated, because the owners wouldn't be able to roll it up for shipping. But it is varnished, and appears to be tough. We have decided to keep ours stored in the original shipping box. We don't have a convenient place to hang it up or display it. So the box seems like a safe place to keep it in good shape when we aren't using it.

My first impression was how big it was. Approx. 3' x 4'. We rolled it out on the floor and used various objects to hold the edges down. My daughter crawled around on it to get a better look at assorted entries and the timeline was no worse for the wear.

It is still taking me some time to get use to the circular design. I am more use to a linear timeline. Starting left and flowing right as time progresses. But with this design, you find the time frame desired on the outer rim of the "wheel" and then follow the "spoke" inward to see the events of different peoples and countries along that time.

Think of it like a clock. At 12 o'clock, you have creation with the first man, Adam. At 6 o'clock, you have the birth of Christ. Everything to the right (12 - 6 o'clock) is B.C. (4000 B.C. to the birth of Christ). Everything to the left (6 - 12 o'clock) is A.D. (the birth of Christ to 2000 A.D. ). So the timeline is divided evenly between B.C. and A.D.

The timeline is color-coded, based on the descendants of Noah's sons (Shem, Ham and Japheth) . This is helpful for putting things into perspective as peoples "scattered over the earth". Another nifty feature is the index. Look up a person or event on the index and it will give you the year to search for.

It is interesting to look up one person or event and see at a glance what was happening in other parts of the world at the same time. My daughters and I looked for familiar Biblical names and then read what else was going on during the world. We saw that Noah's father died soon before the flood. We read over the "happenings" during the time of Queen Esther. We compared the time of Cleopatra and Marc Antony with Biblical events during the same years.

So what did my kiddos think? My 7 year old was too young to fully grasp the concept. My 10 year old liked the idea of it, but was disappointed that most of the people she was interested in weren't included. Honestly, I was a bit overwhelmed by it myself. I think this would be most beneficial for teens to adults. (maybe 13+).

About the Free Download of the Holy Land Interactive Map - This map shows the Holy Land base map, within a 700 mile radius of Jerusalem. You click on the time frame that you would like to see and it overlays it on the base map. These include the time of Abraham, time of Moses, 1020 BC, 605 BC, 4 BC and modern day. Each time frame is color coded, so you can place all of them on the base map at the same time, if you would like. Or one at a time for a more convenient, in-depth look.

About the Free Download of the Digital Timeline - This can be of great help. It breaks the timeline down into 3 frames, allowing you to zoom in on particular sections. I think this is very helpful for several reasons. The print on the hardcopy timeline is tiny. You might not want to pull the timeline out, when you can quickly pull up the digital one. And you are allowed to make 20 copies of a blown-up section to share in a class setting.



What I Like:
You can view 6000 years on one timeline. It includes Biblical figures and events, not just secular. It is based on a young earth time frame. No evolution or millions of years mentioned. Events are separated by country/peoples. The index is very helpful.


What I Don't Like:
I prefer a straight-line timeline, finding this circular approach a bit difficult to adjust to (but acknowledge that including all this information on a straight-line would make for a VERY long line). Many of the events included aren't ones that I would likely go looking for; whereas many of the items I would like to see aren't on there. But again, no timeline includes everything.

Note: For more information on whys and hows of this project, check out these 2 informative sites. I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU READ THESE FAQ PAGES, to help you make an informed decision.
http://bibletimeline.net/theldsquestionandussherstablequestions.html
http://bibletimeline.net/bibletimeline_background.html

To read more reviews of this product, click here.

Disclaimer: I received this product free of charge to review, as part of the TOS Crew. The above is just my opinion. Please remember that opinions may, and do, vary.