Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: How to Prepare for the AP U.S. Government and Politics by Curt Lader ISBN: 0-7641-1651-7 Publisher: Barron's Educational Series Pub. Date: 30 March, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Mixed...
Comment: Let me get this out in the kindest words: this book is bad.
I have used review books for AP/Regents exams to great success in the past, and Barron's and Princeton Review are very trusted names. However, this is just horrible...almost.
Let's take a look:
-Each chapter is well-written and informative, and covers exactly what my textbook did very well. Good job here.
-The sample multiple choice questions at the end of chapters are, for the most part good, though some are too easy, and some have a horrible selection of answers. The descriptions of the right answers are average, at best.
-The sample essay QUESTIONS are good, though they ask to know some pretty specific stuff, but they're good to think about to help prepare for the exam.
-The sample essays: absolutely, unforgivably bad. My first problem is that they are too exact: "...was first mentioned in Ronald Reagan's State of the Union Address on January 25, 1982". I'm sorry, but who is actually using such a fact on the actual AP exam? There have been other examples too, such as citing the name of a mayor from Chicago from 20 years ago...we're supposed to know these things? I think not. However, what compelled me to speak out against this book was the sample essays in Chapter 11. These are, in every meaning of the word, horrible. The first one is a pretty good response to the question, but the analysis offered by the author is terrible...his analysis of the thesis says it is clear (which it is), but claims it is one thing, when it is in fact another. He then draws conclusions from the sample essay that are far-fetched, and are never mentioned in the essay. Furthermore, the essay itself only partially answers the question. The second essay is ridiculous. He is writing from a graph of party identification, and though he cites some good facts, they contradict the graph. For example, he claims that after Watergate, the number of people calling themselves independents increased. A logical conclusion, but the graph shows the complete opposite...that LESS people called themselves independent after 1976. That is inexcusable. Further, the essay is poorly structured, and offers average answers to the question asked.
There have been many examples of overly-precise, badly worded, and just flatout incorrect ideas in the sample essays offered by the author. This is unacceptable in a book designed to prepare the highly motivated student for a difficult exam...it is not fair to the student putting in the effort to do well, to confuse him, and to give him a poor impression of what a good essay is. Further, it is pretty sad that as a student myself, I can point out Mr. Lader's ineptitude.
Overall, I would say, if you can get a deal from your teacher to get this book for $10 or less, then get it, read the chapters and do the questions at the end. Skip his essays, they will just frustrate you. I have yet to even do the practice exams at the end, but I am sincerely hoping they're much better than what I have seen from Mr. Lader through 11 chapters. I paid $10 for this, but personally, I want my money back.
Rating: 5
Summary: Very helpful studyguide
Comment: I've checked out other study guides, but this one was the most comprehensive. The author makes history seem very simple and easy to understand. I've done really well on the sample tests. My little sister even used it to study for her high school history exam. I highly suggest it to anyone taking the AP exam.
 |
Title: How to Prepare for the AP Macroeconomics/Microeconomics by Frank Musgrave, Elia Kacapyr, Inc Barron's Educational Series ISBN: 0764111647 Publisher: Barron's Educational Series Pub. Date: 01 March, 2001 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
 |
Title: How to Prepare for the AP Calculus by Shirley O. Hockett, David Bock ISBN: 0764117904 Publisher: Barron's Educational Series Pub. Date: 28 February, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
 |
Title: U.S. Government and Politics (Cliffs AP) by Paul Soifer ISBN: 0764586890 Publisher: Cliffs Notes Pub. Date: 23 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.99 |
 |
Title: The Princeton Review: Cracking the Ap U.S. Government & Politics Exam, 2004-2005 (Princeton Review) by Review Princeton ISBN: 0375763910 Publisher: Princeton Review Pub. Date: 01 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
 |
Title: The Best Test Preparation for the AP Government & Politics Test Preparations) by Anita C. Danker ISBN: 0878918841 Publisher: Research & Education Association Pub. Date: 1998 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
