Famous Men of the Middle Ages features attractive biographical sketches of thirty-five of the most prominent characters in the history of the Middle Ages, from the barbarian invasions to the invention of the printing press. Each story in this book by John Haaren is told in a clear, simple manner, and is well calculated to awaken and stimulate the youthful imagination. Notable characters featured in Famous Men of the Middle Ages include Attila the Hun, Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, Frederick Barbarossa, Marco Polo, and William Tell. Somewhat surprisingly, Famous Men of the Middle Ages also includes a chapter about one woman: Joan of Arc.

In "Famous Men of Modern Times," author John Haaren introduces the birth of the modern era Readers will meet the men responsible for shaping our recent foundations---such as Lorenzo de Medici, Christopher Columbus, Galileo, Newton, Napoleon, Gladstone, and George Washington---and experience the adventurous times through their eyes. With detailed black-and-white artwork and vibrant color illustrations, this easy-to-understand text correlates history with reading for an all-encompassing study. Haaren, who also wrote "Famous Men of Greece," "Famous Men of Rome," and "Famous Men of the Middle Ages," was an American educator and historian. Haaren's father was German and his mother Irish. He studied under Prof. N. M. Butler at Columbia University, 1889-91, before becoming a teacher in New York. In 1907 he became Associate Superintendent of Schools in New York, increasing the number and efficiency of kindergartens and starting classes to teach English to foreigners. He was president of the department of pedagogy in the Brooklyn Institute. Haaren High School (which was located on 10th Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets in Manhattan) was named in his honor. The Charles B. J. Snyder-designed school which was initially DeWitt Clinton High School is now Haaren Hall on the campus of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

"Famous Men of Rome" features 29 stories covering the history of Rome from its founding to the last emperor. You will read about the lives of Horatius, Camillus, Caesar, Cicero, and many others. The biographies of "Famous Men of Rome" are in chronological order and the whole book will bring you through the three stages of Ancient Rome: monarchy, republic, and empire. Although women are not the "famous" individuals listed in the book, the notable women of the time definitely play roles in the stories. "Famous Men of Rome" is faithful to this vision of learning history through biography. The chapters cover 11 centuries, from the legendary founding of Rome to its slow unraveling in the early centuries after Christ. Each chapter is a fascinating read.