4.02

5

Apr 02, 2012

I took the AP World History test in 2011 and I credit this book for helping me get a 5! I picked up the 2009 edition from Half Price books at the beginning of the school year and read it in the weeks leading up to the test (not like I had a choice though, my teacher actually required us to read it) and it was a HUGE help. The authors worded things in a way that was easy for me to understand and oftentimes amusing (for example, when they were talking about how Commodore Matthew Perry opened up I took the AP World History test in 2011 and I credit this book for helping me get a 5! I picked up the 2009 edition from Half Price books at the beginning of the school year and read it in the weeks leading up to the test (not like I had a choice though, my teacher actually required us to read it) and it was a HUGE help. The authors worded things in a way that was easy for me to understand and oftentimes amusing (for example, when they were talking about how Commodore Matthew Perry opened up Japan to trade, they added in parentheses after his name: "not the one from Friends". I laughed). The history review was very helpful itself; the outlines at the beginning of each chapter helped me find what I was looking for fairly quickly, and the gray boxes helped me focus on the important concepts of each time period (I'm pretty sure one of the essays I had to write pertained exactly to information inside one of those gray boxes). Also, being a visual person, the maps, graphs, charts, and timelines helped me better understand what was going on and helped me chronologically organize everything in my brain. I HIGHLY recommend this book if you are planning to take the WHAP exam. :)

PS: I actually liked this book so much that I still have it, even though I've already taken the WHAP test. Is that weird? Maybe it's just because I'm kind of a history buff. Oh well. ...more

4

Jul 30, 2016

So I usually don't rate books like this as a rule, but I think my recent inactivity warrants it.

I bought this book on a whim online. I'm usually very confident academically when it comes to the social sciences, but I was feeling anxious since this was my first AP exam and being a chronic overachiever, I wanted to ensure success.

Now, this book isn't excessively detailed, and probably not beneficial for self-studiers or those who haven't yet taken the course. But for me, it was ideal. I needed So I usually don't rate books like this as a rule, but I think my recent inactivity warrants it.

I bought this book on a whim online. I'm usually very confident academically when it comes to the social sciences, but I was feeling anxious since this was my first AP exam and being a chronic overachiever, I wanted to ensure success.

Now, this book isn't excessively detailed, and probably not beneficial for self-studiers or those who haven't yet taken the course. But for me, it was ideal. I needed strengthening the "big-picture" of each period, and some obscure details (Julia you better be grateful for me mentioning the Bantu migrations on our way to the library to take the exam) that my somewhat inexperienced teacher hadn't covered in class. I didn't really read the essays portion, since that was my strongest area, but from I've heard it helps.

So while I can't completely attribute my getting a 5 to reviewing this book, it definitely boosted my chances. ...more

5

May 27, 2011

Can I even begin to tell you how AWESOME this book was? I had a really good teacher this year, but the textbook was incredibly dry and the only book I've ever fallen asleep on because I was bored, rather than I was tired. And I was freaking out about the exam.
So I got this.
And loved it.
While still freaking out, it was one of the few times history actually held at least some interest to me. It did a marvelous job of grouping and explaining, and it had a sense of humor too. It spoke ENGLISH for Can I even begin to tell you how AWESOME this book was? I had a really good teacher this year, but the textbook was incredibly dry and the only book I've ever fallen asleep on because I was bored, rather than I was tired. And I was freaking out about the exam.
So I got this.
And loved it.
While still freaking out, it was one of the few times history actually held at least some interest to me. It did a marvelous job of grouping and explaining, and it had a sense of humor too. It spoke ENGLISH for sheesh, not whatever language the historians use. Read the whole thing in about a week.
We have yet to see if I pass or not, but either way, I credit everything to this book!
(And I have no idea why I'm posting it on goodreads.) ...more

0

Apr 10, 2016

I'll rate it once I get my scores back, but this was a great review book overall!

5

Jun 03, 2014

This prep book was amazingly thorough, and got me a 5 on the test! The practice tests really prepare you for the real thing. A must-have for all AP World H. students.

5

Jun 18, 2016

I feel as though it's okay to count this as a book I read. it was incredibly long and I read it cover to cover. I'm also slacking in my challenge this year, and every single book counts.

0

May 01, 2013

Not overly boring but didn't really help me. I suggest taking lots of practice tests and outlining possible comparisons.

0

May 14, 2009

I learned nothing from this book; in fact, I never read it! I had my AP World exam today, and I think I got a 4 or 5, so I didn't even need to buy the book :(

3

Apr 11, 2008

this book didn't really help to much-
but it helped more than the class did (even though Mr.Mhyre was and is an amazing teacher- I learn better from reading).

2

Jun 11, 2015

Pretty basic - definitely need something else more substantial to go along with it. On the other hand, it is great for last minute review/overview before the AP test.

5

Dec 12, 2011

This book was really helpful; it deserves some credit for helping me score a five! :)

4

May 02, 2012

I really hope this helps with my test. It was written in a way I could process and remember the information. Thank you, Princeton Review:)

4

May 06, 2008

Funny and informational, though a little brief.
The Princeton Review are quite talented in that they can transform a mundane topic into something mildly amusing.
(THANK GOD I AM DONE WITH IT)

0

Apr 29, 2016

Good. A little biased, but overall a nice representation of WH.

5

Jan 06, 2018

I have a very tough teacher for my AP World History class and this book has helped me a lot throughout the year in hardships like learning things that the teacher didn't cover in class, but make it to the tests and quizzes later and understanding the material in a more story like form.

5

May 12, 2009

Okay, I was pretty sure I was going to fail the AP exam yesterday, but thanks to this book, I might have gotten a 2 instead of a 1 (which is still a fail, but hey... I only had it for a week.)
Everyone should study this book instead of the textbook. It's so much easier to understand, and it's not nearly as wordy.

5

May 25, 2015

As I started reading this from the beginning of the 2014-15 school year, I used it to study at the very end for my AP World History Exam in May. I read the whole book, start to finish, in three entire days before my test, and I found it very beneficial with help on essays, period reviews, and just plain advice for the test.

4

Jul 07, 2012

I am not a high school AP student, but rather I'm an adult who has been wanting to read a general overview of world history. Without any other ideas, I picked up Cracking the AP World History Exam 2012, a general review book for high school students produced by The Princeton Review. I read about 200 pages of world history summaries, timelines, and key terms.

As was my goal, I feel I have received a reminder of the course of history over the past 8,000 years, with a general picture of how world I am not a high school AP student, but rather I'm an adult who has been wanting to read a general overview of world history. Without any other ideas, I picked up Cracking the AP World History Exam 2012, a general review book for high school students produced by The Princeton Review. I read about 200 pages of world history summaries, timelines, and key terms.

As was my goal, I feel I have received a reminder of the course of history over the past 8,000 years, with a general picture of how world history fits together: the themes of history, the progress of various developments, and the ways technology changed the way of life throughout history. It helped me recognize my own strengths and weaknesses, and it gave me ideas of what subjects I’d like to study in more depth.

Cracking the AP World History Exam also has sample tests, practice questions, and descriptions of the AP Exam. I skipped those portions. I’m sure this book would help those interested in preparing for the tests: it provides a great overview of history and the ways it ties together.

Cross posted on my blog, with a request for other world history books ...more

4

May 12, 2011

I realize that this is not an actual book, but I practically read the whole thing, so I might as well review it right?

Today, I took the exam to that means that last night I was pouring over this thing like it was my saviour and it was going to rescue me from the bloody and lethal horrors of the AP test. I bet you can guess that this is my first AP exam....well it is and it doesn't make it any better that my World History class isn't AP (Mr. Staples the World History teacher encouraged people to I realize that this is not an actual book, but I practically read the whole thing, so I might as well review it right?

Today, I took the exam to that means that last night I was pouring over this thing like it was my saviour and it was going to rescue me from the bloody and lethal horrors of the AP test. I bet you can guess that this is my first AP exam....well it is and it doesn't make it any better that my World History class isn't AP (Mr. Staples the World History teacher encouraged people to take it for practice for the AP US History exam). So overall, I was pretty darn freaked last night.

This stress had been building up when I started to read this study guide thing ten days ago. I had this poor thing in the back of my bookshelf since the beginning of the year and just then took it out (and yes I know I'm a bad student)....

Anyway, what I mostly read was the history review section to learn the stuff that we hadn't covered in class. And the first thing that I noticed was the casual language of the book. What I mean is that it read like a cool, hip, teacher trying to connect to his students would sound. There was modern phrases in context of ancient events like "very different flavor," "they set up shop," "a step in the right direction," "like the money, not so sure about the freedom," and more. There was even punny puns in the titles such as "Raiders from the Norse," and "The Boxer Rebellion: Knocked Out in the First Round." They were all very clever. But it wasn't written too much like common, casual language because a) there was no slang, and b) there was still high vocabulary, and c) the modern phrases weren't everywhere. It was sprinkled with just enough common language to make it interesting and memorable, and not like reading a boring old text book (something I think text book writers should do). It was like your favorite teacher printed and bound.

This style of educational writing definitely kept me from falling asleep and even helped me remember some things. If you think of things in modern speak like "this dude did ________ and then this other dude was like no you didn't!" you remember it! I and others like me remember things like that, because that's just how a teenager's mind works you know? So in that way I think that the writers were very smart.

If you're wondering, yes, this book did help me with the exam. Even though the history review wasn't as detailed as what I probably should've been reading (hello, it is a review!), but I wasn't about to read the whole second half of my text book either. And that with the aforementioned helped me learn enough history to confidently say that I think I did fairly well on the exam.

Plus, the history review wasn't all that helped. The other sections about the multiple choice questions and essay questions did have useful tips. I didn't take as much from it because most of it I already did naturally when I take a test. But for someone that isn't a great test taker, it would've been a great help!

And I guess that's where I'm trying to go with this review. It's a wonderfully crafted study guide for the AP World History exam. It is can be extremely helpful for anyone that is stuck in the black hole of world history and wondering where to start or how to study. So it's safe to say that this won't be the only Princeton Review I will get. ...more

2

May 03, 2014

The book serves as a satisfactory review for basic concepts, although it lacks a lot of necessary information and at times is even blatantly incorrect. It was very disappointing, especially for the price and company as the Princeton Review tends to have a reputation for being very helpful and accurate.

For example, the section about Hinduism was very poorly researched. It consistently mixed up "Brahman" and "Brahma." While there were also many skewed definitions, the book did not correctly The book serves as a satisfactory review for basic concepts, although it lacks a lot of necessary information and at times is even blatantly incorrect. It was very disappointing, especially for the price and company as the Princeton Review tends to have a reputation for being very helpful and accurate.

For example, the section about Hinduism was very poorly researched. It consistently mixed up "Brahman" and "Brahma." While there were also many skewed definitions, the book did not correctly explain the beliefs regarding the gods' role,

Another concept which was not thoroughly discussed was Zoroastrianism. Much was not mentioned about the belief, such as its importance in being one of the first religions with a concept of good versus evil and Heaven and Hell. The book also did not mention the role of Zoroastrianism in empires and society, which is important since it was one of the most influential and monumental religions of the time.

When discussing the rise of Alexander the Great's empire, the book credits the unification of Greece to Philip III, "Alexander's father." In reality, his father was Philip II, and Philip III was Alexander the Great's brother who accomplished little in the scheme of his empire.

The review book entirely omits the Xia and Sui Dynasties. While it is understandable that the Xia Dynasty could have been omitted due to lack of proof, the Sui Dynasty was a crucial point in Chinese history that was not mentioned. (The book skips from the Han Dynasty straight to the Tang and Song.) The Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE) is credited with the reunification of the divided regions of China, expanding the Great Wall, spreading Buddhism, and most importantly, building the Grand Canal.

The section on Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) is particularly incorrect. The section uses the terms "English" and "British" interchangeably, when in fact, the Scottish were supporting the French against the English, and thus the British Isles were not unified in their strife. It also states that she was captured by the French, which is a confusingly vague statement, as she was captured by the Burgundians (a Duchy that comprised of only parts of France at the time) since France was not the single, unified nation which it is today and thus it would be misleading to say she was captured by the French. Beyond that, it states that she was sold to the English (which was correct), however it states that she was then burnt at stake by the French, which is completely incorrect. While she was burnt at stake in France, it was in the region controlled by the English at the time, as she was tried and executed essentially by the English, not the French. Aside from this, not much is said regarding the Hundred Year's War and how it would affect relations between England and France for years to come.

Several times the book leans towards eurocentrism, often crediting "Oriental" innovations or accomplishments to the "Occident." It appears to discredit many vital contributions of Eastern civilizations to society, such as those of ancient Persia and ancient India. Although the course is World History, it focuses on European history and often disregards history from other parts of the world.


There were several other examples throughout the text, but I found that these were a handful of the most glaringly obvious mistakes.

Hopefully, they will fix these mistakes and review the curriculum for next year's review book. ...more

0

Aug 28, 2012

Before the dreaded exam has to be worried about

Even though the dude on the cover looks like a lot of fun, I already know that AP World History is NOT going to be fun.

"This is a hard class." Says my teacher. "If anyone says it was easy, they're huge liars."
AND ALL OF MY FRIENDS THAT TOOK WORLD HISTORY AP FOR A CLASS, AND THEY ALL SAID IT WAS EASY!! What the heck?!


So yeah. My teacher recommended this book. (He speaks in a monotone, he sounds sort of depressed, and he's the hugest pessimist.) Before the dreaded exam has to be worried about

Even though the dude on the cover looks like a lot of fun, I already know that AP World History is NOT going to be fun.

"This is a hard class." Says my teacher. "If anyone says it was easy, they're huge liars."
AND ALL OF MY FRIENDS THAT TOOK WORLD HISTORY AP FOR A CLASS, AND THEY ALL SAID IT WAS EASY!! What the heck?!


So yeah. My teacher recommended this book. (He speaks in a monotone, he sounds sort of depressed, and he's the hugest pessimist.) "You're all going to fail." "This is a hard class." "Suck it up or you'll be destroyed within two weeks of this class."

A 15-year-old girl already taking a college-level class? I'm going to be sick. (*Urrrgh.)
But if this book will help me pass that World History AP Exam (which costs $87 dollars to take--THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY!), I'll leap 20 feet into the air for joy!


Why, why, why did I choose AP World History?! My English teacher recommended that I take Pre-AP English and AP World History because "I'm good at writing. And English."
I am not. I'm good at writing emotional, ranting reviews for books I hate. I'm good at EXPRESSING MY FEELINGS through all-capped words.
However, my darlings, I am NOT good at writing essays. Especially on books I hate.


"Romeo and Juliet is a charming play written by the well-known and famous writer, William Shakespeare. He was a true genius in writing plays, and he's still known for the genius ideas to this day."

LIEEEEES!! All lies!
I wrote that to get an A!

(.........I got a B.)


I HATE Romeo and Juliet! If I sat next to the windows in the classroom, I'd punch the windows open and toss it right outside! My English class was on the SECOND FLOOR of the school!!
"Out the window you goooooooooo!"

Alas, that isn't MY book. It's the school's.



Anyway, my point is: I hate essays. I hate writing serious things. I hate writing in complete sentences, and I mean the kind where you have to REPHRASE THE QUESTION YOU'RE BEING ASKED.

EXAMPLE:
Q: What did you do over the summer?
BORING ANSWER: "Over the summer, I did many things. I went to the grocery store and I typed reviews on goodreads, even though no one reads them."
THE KIND OF ANSWER THERESA LIKES: "Well, first of all, I got approximately 11-13 hours of sleep EVERY NIGHT! It was heaven! I also went to the grocery store and typed reviews on goodreads that . . . no one . . . reads."

Q: Explain what you thought about Romeo and Juliet.
BORING ANSWER: "I've had many thoughts about Romeo and Juliet. One of the thoughts that I've had is the confusion I received when they both decided to marry each other within 4 hours."
THE KIND OF ANSWER THERESA LIKES: "I HATE that story. It can go right out the window! Especially when my English class, where we read Romeo and Juliet, is on the second floor where if a book falls out, it will crash onto the ground with a hideous THUD, meaning that the person who threw it outside must REALLY HATE THAT BOOK! I just hate that book so much, I want to eat it, and then barf it up!"

Q: How do you feel about life?
BORING ANSWER: "I feel that life is too short and that we should all spend it wisely and carefully. I feel that every emotion of everyday counts, because one day, you won't feel as lively as you do now."
THE KIND OF ANSWER THERESA LIKES: "Life is a lot like a balloon. Your parents raise you up and hold you to the ground, but when they let you go, you're free to fly wherever the wind takes you. But as you fly in the air like a balloon, the balloon gets smaller...and smaller...until all the air in it leaks out and you fall.
If you get shot by something, you pop and that's a faster, more instant way of falling as a balloon. A lot like how if someone gets shot......yeah.
Balloons that leak air and then fall to their doom because they ran out of helium are like people dying of old age."



You know those boring answers? I was TAUGHT to write like that. But then, I taught myself how to write from WITHIN MYSELF. (Wow, that sounded pretty cliche.)
I mean, I can't express emotions through writing when I'm busy being all serious and writing like how I'm supposed to!
So if that's the reason why my freshman English teacher invited me to an AP World History class, she PUT ME IN THE WRONG CLASSSSSSSSSS!


And unlike English, I HATE HISTORY! And I've been told that we have to draw the world FROM MEMORY!!
THE WORLD?! I can't remember all those bends and curves and folds of the earth?!
I'll just trace a map. No one will notice...



But anyway, please...WISH ME LUCK ON MY WORLD HISTORY AP CLASS!

$87 for an exam? That's like paying for torture. (Meh.)

-------------------------------------------------
As of 09.02.12...

I BOUGHT THE BOOK FROM AMAZON.COM! Won't come for another 3-5 business days. (One week.)
IT COST ME $10.29! Plus shipping! (Free shipping for college students, BUT I SHOULD GET FREE SHIPPING TOOOOO! I'm a high school student taking a COLLEGE TEST, darn you!!!!)
And . . . the exam . . . the exam . . .

I'm going to quote the letter that got mailed to me about a few days back. I can't remember it perfectly, so I'm going to sort of . . . PARAPHRASE IT.

TO THE GUARDIAN/PARENT OF THERESA THE GOODREADS REVIEWER!!:
"......and so. Your (absolutely excellent and brilliant, not to mention absolutely GENIUS) child has been accepted into our Advanced Placement program. Unfortunately, this year, the exam's price has risen up to $89.00."
HOOVER DAM RIGHT IT'S UNFORTUNATE!!!!!!!!!! That's 2 dollars more than I thought it'd be.
Oh well. At least it's not $90.
I'll ace this exam. ABSOLUTAMENTE!!

Oh, and I went on AMAZON.COM where it said "Take a sneak peek of this book!" so I did.
It showed the first few introduction pages. And then the index.
NONE OF WHAT WAS ACTUALLY INSIDE THE BOOK!
So it's like......"We want you to pay that $10, or you're not going to get a single PEEK at what's ACTUALLY inside this book!"
Yeah. $10, plus shipping if you're not in college.



........That guy on the cover...IMPROVES THE COVER BY ABOUT 90%!!

AS OF 09.05.12

HEY, HEY, HEEEEEEEY! I got the copy!
I'd take a picture of it but my camera vanished from the face of the earth. And . . . I don't know how to upload pictures of myself onto reviews.
But hey, it's so shiny! Thinner than I thought.
ANYWAY, my teacher says I don't need it until September 28th. So it'll just stay on my bookshelf until then!
It arrived in exactly ONE WEEK. So . . . how is 3-5 business days "One week"? WHY DON'T THEY JUST SAY THAT SHIPPING WILL TAKE ONE WEEK?!

Well, if I got 2 day shipping, it would have costed $12 for shipping. MUCHO EXPENSIVE! I can wait another 5 days to save about $8!
Do you know how much you can buy with $8?! 8 boxes of CHOCOLATE!!!!
Oh, how delicious 8 boxes of chocolate would be right now . . .

AS OF 09.08.12

You know, so far, this isn't really a........review. This is more like a "Life of Theresa the reviewy reviewer and her Cracking The AP World History book".

AAAANYWAY, I'm 5 days ahead in my AP class. 5. DAYS! ISN'T THAT IMPOSSIBLE?!
I mean, I'm pretty klutzy, you know? And I'm only 15. I'm only 5'0 tall, so people think I'm a freshman when I'm not, and I'm NOT MATURE. And I get C's in math and I'm weird and I'm dorky, and yet . . . I'm AHEAD in AP?!
Aren't I supposed to be behind? Like, freaking out and thinking my teacher is one scary jerk face for giving us so much homework and such? HUUUUUH???
Anyway yeah. I had this 5 page packet (front and back, LOTS OF WRITING) due on the 11th and I finished it on the 6th! I was supposed to have homework ALL OVER my weekend plans, but I don't!
Is it true? Is this really true . . . ?
AP CLASS IS NOT AS HARD AS I THOUGHT IT WAS?!

And now I have my handy dandy Cracking the AP World History Exam book! That'll help me loads, too.
Anyway, I don't hate World History. It's actually pretty funny. The essays and writing and journal entries I write about what happened thousands and thousands of years ago are very sarcastic. I'm...ENTERTAINED by how ditzy the past ancient people can be.

Anyway, yeah. ONTO MY EXAM BOOK! ...more