e leads you on a journey of discovery through Europe, which is home to more than twenty countries though one of the smaller continents. She explains in the introduction that with peoples geographically isolated by bodies of water and mountain ranges, it is no wonder that so many languages and customs arose, with many Europeans able to speak multiple languages. Blessed with an abundance of natural resources, Europe quickly became a leader in manufacturing and commerce with robust shipbuilding, fishing, and dairying industries often spanning multiple countries. Author Nellie B. Allen introduces you to these, but also explores the cultivation of some specialty products such as cork in Portugal, olives in Spain, vineyards in Spain, linen in Ireland, and silk in Italy. With each country she visits, she tells you about the people that live there: what they typically eat, how they dress, what their homes are like, and the pastimes they enjoy. Questions throughout the text and suggested activities at the end of each chapter encourage the reader to think further about the material.