History Books

Nice concise summaries. Very thorough. Easy to read and great for review. I would recommend purchasing at least 2 months before the AP test so you actually have a chance to read it.

The REA AP US History review was the book that I used to review for the AP test today. It's very detailed and goes over all the event that are covered in the textbook we used in class but in a more succinct manner.

I also read the Princeton Review but I felt that it was too general and when I took practice tests, I was unable to answer the more specific questions. The REA book covers each topic more in depth than the Princeton Review does and at the end of each chapter there is a helpful time line for remembering certain time periods.

While I did not take the practice tests in this book, I skimmed over a few questions and I would not recommend relying on this book for practice because the questions are too easy and of a lower caliber than is tested on the AP.

But overall, this book definitely helped me cover and review all the topics I needed to know for this exam.

This helped me get a 5 on my AP test. My teacher recommended everyone to get one of these, and I'm pretty sure all of us did. This book is good to review on the AP test, but don't depend it to get all A's on you tests in class. It's not detailed as your textbook so you probably won't do well if you use this and not read your textbook.

The one thing I don't like about this book is that I think the pages should be bigger and the book can be thinner. It's easier to use that way, but that's minor.

The best review book ever. Got me a 5 on the Ap US History exam!
It discusses all the most important parts in U.S. History and its practice tests are great!

literally questions in the practice tests appeared on the real exam. i remember seeing a nit-picky question on authors and themes of an era that i thankfully learned the previous day in REA. the practice tests may be a little bit harder than the actual thing, but extremely close. the reviews on each era is thorough and the practice tests are plenty. the explanations to the answers of the practice tests are also extremely helpful. one tip is to read the explanation of the correct answer after you complete a practice test, regardless of whether you got it right or wrong to guarantee you have your information down cold. i would say invest your apush money in this book only and you're set for the test in may.

I agree with other reviewers that this is an indispensable volume for anyone studying the history of Christianity. Also, the use of primary sources, which is a hallmark of the classical school movement, allows you to examine the actual words of a document rather than having it filtered through someone else's point of view. I realize not every document could be included, but I was disappointed that Urban II's speech calling for the Crusades was not included as it has relevance to world politics today. Also, some longer works, such as The Rule of St. Benedict, have been ellipted so one must still look elsewhere to get the complete work. Still, this is a fabulous, reasonably priced volume to have at hand.

Just what I was looking for. It's a valuable resource.

This book is a good "topic reference" book. It is compiled of many original source writings. It is used in my seminary history class to supplement the main history text. A very good source for many topics.

This is a nice text covering a very broad range of writings. Some of the documents included are from Church councils, some from theologians, creeds, theological works, confessions, inter-faith dialogues, etc. Therefore, the reader gets a wide variety of readings and documents.

However, this `broadness' is also the weakness of this text. At times, it is a little too broad, including things that perhaps are not in the pale of orthodoxy. For instance, Feminist theological writings, the writings of Matthew Fox, certain writings on homosexuality, etc. seem to fall into this too `broadness' category. Albeit, these writings are interesting to read, and do add variety to the work, discernment is needed when reading them.

The overall idea of this work is great. To compile a historical collection of documents throughout Church history is a good idea, giving the reader a type of `one stop' place to get a taste of Christian History through documents. Moreover, the broad range allows the reader to get a small glimpse of what was taking place at the time of these works (e.g. understanding what issues and doctrines were a concern).

If you are interested in Church History, Church writings/documents, theology, apologetics, Christianity, then this is a great edition to add to your library. I recommend it!

Book so far is a wealth of historical documents adding to my knowledge about the early Christian Church. I am barely into the book as it supplements my Education for Ministry course; this third part of the course being one year in length.

they did not specify that it was the study guide instead of the actual book I needed.

As a college Art History instructor and an avid reader, I can honestly say Lois Fichner-Rathus has produced one of the finest Art Appreciation texts on the market. The sixth edition of Understanding Art is both visually and intellectually exciting. With expanded coverage of the "Language of Art" (the visual elements and principles of design) and computer generated imagery, and a great companion Web site, this version is truly an advance over previous editions. Addional illustrations (many in color) add to the enjoyment of spending time with this updated classic.

Though I've referred to this as an Art Appreciation "text," it is by no means dry.The author's viewpoint and writing style are never boring and she continually exhibits great perceptiveness, and wit, in her commentary. The progression of the book's sections from a well-done "Introduction" to the "Language of Art," a look at the varying media of art, and finally a series of chapters on historical style, is well done and logical. Accolades to Fichner-Rathus!

I went to a multimedia school where I took a class on the fundamentals of art & design. Understanding Art was the required text book. Little would I know that I would still be talking about Understanding Art and recommending it for years after that class! (Just don't let my teacher know that!)

The book takes you throughout the history of art, starting from the earliest forms, throughout the middle ages, native traditional art, to the renaissance, to post modernism, to surrealism, to art deco, bauhaus, dada, and everything else. There isn't a form of art that isn't covered and illustrated, which is extremely beneficial, as you truly do learn how art forms evolved throughout the years. Another benefit to this book is that it covers the different medias in art - sculpture, paintings, print, masks, archetecture, and more.

The photographs of the artwork are present throughout the book, and the text gives you insight and background knowledge of each art era that you wouldn't otherwise see. One might usually associate art history text as boring and monotonous, but this is not the case. The text is informative and exciting to read all at the same time.

It's a great book for someone who's starting out in art history, but even long-time art fans will enjoy it too.

Beautiful book! The art pictures are great! I am learning alot!

I bought this for my daughter's summer reading for Art History class - a 200+ page brief summary of the history of art. I paged through it to see what she was getting into, and I was very impressed with the breadth and interesting facts contained within. It's a great outline of a huge topic, that gives the reader a framework into which subsequent knowledge can be organized.

This is a wonderful book, I am studying for the Art praxis and found this book very helpful. Good crash course in art history.

This book is just what is says it is: "a crash course in Art History" and it is great! Carol Strickland is a top flight writer and art historian. She covers the most important artists and movements in a concise and readable manner. Her side-bars that appear throughout the text add interesting anecdotal material that is always worthwhile. There are plenty of art reproductions, many in color, that illustrate the text.

I have used this book (1st edition) for several years in a one semester high school Art History course and it is perfect. It is also makes for very pleasant and informative personal reading. I recommend it very highly.

This book is well worth the price! I feel like I need to memorize every word written! Full of relevant information!

I bought this book to review for the Art Content Praxis. It's been about 20 years since my art history classes so I definitely needed a refresher. Although, I did remember a lot and reviewed other books, this book put me over the top.

It's fast paced and easy to read! Short highlights to remind you of things you may have forgot and adds what you may have missed.

I would suggest to read "Losing my virginity" first so you get a better understanding of Branson's life. I did it the other way unfortunately. During his book he will tell various stories about his life that affected his way of thinking. It's a good motivation book for anyone considering his/her own business. The most important lesson (aside other great ones) that I took with me: Do it for fun - not for money! And he is damn right.

I strongly recommend this book even if you do not open your own business.

Thomas Skidmore is simply a genius. Modern Latin America brings a insightful and precise analysis of Latin America. Skidmore is neither superficial nor boring. He presents the reader a very smart and interesting analysis of Latin America. After reading this book one gets pretty much the idea of why "There is no sin south the Equator".

I'm studying Latin American history at the University of Buenos Aires this semester and found the Skidmore text to be an excellent supplement to my assigned Spanish readings. It does a very good job tying together a lot of the overlying themes throughout the continent during this time period, helping me to better understand the more analytical texts in my course.

Very good book. It gives us a real idea of what was and is Latin America (since the enviroment is very much dinamic the last/last issues are not incorpoated in the book). Worth!

How many North Americans really know what Latin America is like? How many can name more than six countries in the region? The history and politics of the region are rich and complex. Skidmore and Smith make this rich region understandable for a layperson who is not a specialist in the Latin American region.

The first two chapters of the book are a general historical overview, beginning with pre-Columbian times right up until the present. After that, it looks at a variety of case studies within the region, including Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Cuba, the Caribbean, and Central America.

The authors are successful at presenting not only the common threads that bind the region (for example dependencia theory) but also the distinctions between the countries (for example the lack of a local working class in Argentina compared to the oversupply of indigenous labor in Mexico) and explains how that affects each individual country in the region.

For most of the second half of the 19th century as well as the 20th century, the United States is the primary foreign actor in the region. How they resolve their relations with the U.S. and with one another is a driving force in the political development of the region. From the 1950s (and especially from the 1960s), the Soviets enter the fray. While the Soviets are now gone, as can be seen from the news today, the legacy of leftism (which predated the Soviet influence in the region) is still an active part of Latin American politics.

While many in North America may think that the leftist movements in Latin America (i.e. Venezuela and Bolivia) are a knee-jerk anti-American reaction, the roots are far deeper than that. One can't help but come out of reading this book with an appreciation of the spirit of the Latin American and a deeper understanding of not only their challenges, but also their frustrations.

This is a fantastic read for someone wishing to get their feet wet into the scholarship of this region.

This is an excellent textbook for anyone who wants a summary of Latin America. It covers all of the regions in very clear detail and excellent prose. You hardly feel like you are reading a text book at all. For those who have no background in Latin American history this is a great place to start. For those who have read widely they will find this an invaluable summary and an essential addition to any Latin American History library.

To be a wife of Henry VIII would be great if you were content to not to be an individual with any rights.You would want for nothing.On the other hand if you wanted to express your self and be seen as an equal you would be treading on thin ice.

Alison Weir provides a fascinating, richly detailed and penetrating human history of the life of King Henry VIII and his six wives. The work is meticulously researched and provides a deep and intelligent understanding of these six fascinating ladies and of King Henry himself.

While Henry VIII was responsible for some great achievements for England, he developed into a cruel tyrant; anyone who aroused his suspicion or displeasure was likely to be be executed and those who died included nobles, ministers, prelates and 2 of his six wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.

Catherine of Aragon was a proud Spanish princess, the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, and a deeply pious Roman Catholic. She was betrothed at three years of age to the first son of King Henry VII, Arthur Prince of Wales and became Prince Arthur's wife at 16. Arthur died six months after their marriage and Catherine spent 7 years in poverty and insecurity, abandoned by Spain and despised by Henry VII, robbed of her dowry and never sure of what her fate would be. Catherine bore these years with great faith, strength and dignity.
After Henry VII's death, in 1509, the newly crowned Henry VIII made her his wife, and they lived together for eighteen years.
Of the five children born to Catherine, only Mary lived. She became Queen Mary I ("Bloody Mary"). Henry desperate for a male heir and enchanted by Anne Boleyn, decided to annul his marriage to Catherine.
Catherine resisted the annulment as long as she could, while always declaring her loyalty and love to the king.
After Henry broke with the Roman Catholic Church to divorce her, Catherine lived in retirement.

Anne Boleyn was a chamber maid to Catherine of Aragon when the king became interested in her.
Henry secretly married Anne in January, 1533. Henry's Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer pronounced Henry's first marriage null and void.
Anne Boleyn was crowned queen in June and because of circumstances beyond her control was unpopular with the English people and had many enemies.
Anne gave birth to Elizabeth in June.
But Henry a cruel and selfish man had wanted a boy and soon tired of Anne.
After she repeatedly failed to produce a male heir, Henry and his chief minister Thomas Cromwell had Anne framed for adultery and executed.
Anne was an intelligent and courageous women, as well as ambitious and capable at times of ruthlessness.
She was a strong adherent to the Protestant cause and well read in Protestant theology at a time when it was dangerous to do so.
The author reveals that Anne was not however the scheming wanton that some historians have painted her as.

Jane Seymour by contrast was not the good hearted innocent some have seen her as. she copied Anne Boleyn's methods of witholding her sexual favours to the king until she was Queen. She was favoured by the Catholic camp.
She seemed to have remained on the King's good side and bore him his long wanted male heir to be Edward VI.
She died of illness soon after Edward's birth.

Henry was then maneuvered into a marriage by his chief minister Thomas Cromwell, to the Protestant German princess, Anne of Cleves, to bolster the Protestant cause.
Henry had only soon seen Anne of Cleves in a portrait but when he met her he found her unattractive exclaiming "I like her not".
He soon divorced her but because Anne of Cleves did not resists the divorce and was amenable she avoided a tragic fate and lived out a comfortable retirement with a large inheritance, the longest living of Henry's wives.
Ironically the Protestant princess Anne of Cleves was converted to a devout Catholic, by Princess Mary, who became her close friend.

After that the powerful Howard family manipulated one of their young daughters, the 15 year old Catherine Howard to marry the king, and was supported by the Catholic faction. The aging Henry's large ego was thrilled to betroth an attractive girl over thirty years his junior. When he married her, Henry described Catherine Howard as his "rose without a thorn"
Catherine was good hearted, but simple and sexually promiscuous. Described as giddy girl."

The machinations of the court destroyed her and she was not shrewd enough to survive.
She was accused of adultery, whether she was guilty is not known, but she never stood a chance and was executed on the orders of the cruel and vengeful Henry,a truly tragic tale.
Catherine Howard was a powerless pawn used by powerful and unscrupulous forces.

Henry's last wife was the level headed and highly intelligent Catherine Parr. She managed to outlive the king, and befriended the young Princess Elizabeth and Prince Edward, showing a kindly character. She was a strong Protestant and believed in church reform (she had secret Lutheran sympathies) and the author believes she would have made a mark as a great thinker in times when women were encouraged to think independentally and make an intellectual contribution.
Her strong religious convictions led her to argue with King Henry about religion, and the author writes that she may have been lucky the King died when he did.

Catherine Parr, later married Sir. Thomas Seymour and was a great friend to the Lady Jane Grey.
she also foretold that the young Princess Elizabeth was destined by Heaven to be a great Queen of England, when she had told Elizabeth to leave her house after Elizabeth had been seduced by Thomas Seymour, showing her powers of vision and her non vengeful nature,
She was a visionary and a good woman.

An interesting historical anecdote. Friar Peto predicted in 1532 that if King Henry cast off Katherine of Aragon and married Anne Boleyn he would be as Ahab and the dogs would lick his blood.
After Henry's death his lead coffin weakened by the motion of the carriage burst open, and liquid matter from the body seeped out onto the church pavement. A dog was with the plumbers who came the next morning to repair the coffin, and it was seen to lick up the blood from the floor just as Friar Peto had predicted.

Like all of Alison Weir's works this volume combines detailed history with a thrilling and smooth read. Everything you could want in a factual history volume.
It is social and personal history at it's best and captures the essence of the time of Henry VIII's reign and the wider events involving England at the time.

The book is excellent. So much interesting drama! I am Korean and Korea's Chosun Dynasty is also full of Queens and deceit and back stabbing and I realized how England's Kingdom was very similar to Korea's. I suppose King & Queens are kind of similar in their nature to keep the power given to them. Anyway, I bought 2 other Alison Weir books because she just writes wonderfully. Knowing this is history which can be boring, but not so for this wonderful book. If you are a history buff like myself, you will love this book. One thing though, I read my book on subway trains and on buses while I commute to work, and this book too heaaaaaaaaaaaavvvvvvvvvy! I guess that would be only minus for this book.

This is a great book and very interesting. After seeing The Other Boleyn Sister I was anxious to read what really happened. A little drawn out between his marrage to Katherine and Anne but considering it took almost 7 years I can see why. He was a tyrant!

Alison Weir's well-written, easy to read book about the Six Wives of Henry the VIII is an outstanding work of history about England in the 1500s, Henry's six wives, and the role they play in English politics and international relations with Spain, France and Germany. It is definitely a five star work of scholarship and entertainment.

I think amazon is one of the best ways to buy, especially no S & H when
you spend a certain amount of money. I save gas by not going to the
store.

Almanac is updated and published annually, sort of a stone age wikipedia that doesn't require web access to use. Lots good stuff.

I get a new one of these every year, it is loaded with so much information that I refer to it all the time. one of the main things I look up is famous people for birth dates and such. very good book

This is one of the few books in my library which gets weekly (sometimes daily) use, and which I feel obligated to replace every few years, in order to have the most updated information. Granted, the historical data does not change, but the usefulness of the book is in finding important *recent* facts or statistics. Highly recommend it!

I buy three or more every year for my husband. One for each room in which he spends any amount of time.

A friend had given me a copy of "The Bondwoman's Narrative" (great read) written by a slave that passed for white and escaped to the north. It was so surprising and full of things they never teach about when you cover the topic of American slavery in school. even some native americans could (and did) keep slaves.I couldn't put that book down and wanted to read more accounts of how things were, so I found this book.

It's such a small representation of slavery, but significant, none the less. It's several first hand accounts put into a collection. A very surprising read, I learned so many things I just had no idea about. It's sad and scary what these people went through, what was conditioned to them to be "normal" just to name a couple:

slave mothers being seperated from their children, them being considered "property" for sale

women being mistreaded by plantation owners wives because of their husbands affections for (and fathering children with) slaves

religion (Christianity) being permitted and used a tool to keep slaves "in their place"

It should be required reading. This is not a modern day account of what we should know. There is no agenda, no glossing over details, nothing is made to be outrageous and shocking just for the sake of it (although it certainly is). It's just raw, honest truth.

You are a jackass. No one "sold us to the US". We were STOLEN and taken back. Who is to say what changes there would have been if we had not been. Africa might be a better place today.
I say BE THANKFUL for what you have, but don't be a self-righteous a$$hole about it.

Expand your mind and buy this book!

You speak of enslavement in the US--who sold you to the US???Never is THIS mentioned. In Africa today, people are dying in the thousands of AIDS. Could the African Americans of today not thank our forefathers for coming over and sacrificing for our legacy?? What are you thinking?? We have it made now, we are not in Africa with disease, pestilence, violence, and an anscetory that sold us to the US. Go ahead with your pitifullness--I am grateful that our own people sold us out. We are now successful, healthy, and for me--I am thankful to be here. Sometimes, things happen for a reason, no matter how bad things might be. Give thanks to your grand-parents, great grand parents and to the US for making your life so much better. Above all-----------THINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND don't lick wounds--they are long gone.

Henry Louis Gates provides readers with an important contribution to the many first-hand accounts of enslavement. His scintillating introduction ties together the life and times of four African Americans who narrated their own story of slavery: Olaudah Equiano, Mary Prince, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Jacobs. The diversity chosen by Gates allows readers to gain a comprehensive perspective of the horrors of slavery: women/men, South/North, born in African/born in America. Readers desiring additional first-hand accounts are encouraged to consider compilations by Yetman of the slave interviews.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D. is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care And Spiritual Direction, and Soul Physicians.

The practice of enslavement in the Americas is a phenomenon of staggering proportions. It is also one of the most thoroughly documented systems of human rights abuse in history. "The Classic Slave Narratives" brings together four powerful testaments of individuals who survived enslavement in the Americas. The book also contains an insightful introduction by scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

As Gates notes in the introduction, it has been estimated that more than 6,000 ex-slaves left some form of written testament between 1703 and 1944--an amazing body of literature. "The Classic Slave Narratives" is thus just a tiny part of a vast genre. Specifically, this anthology contains "the Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano," "The History of Mary Prince," "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass," and Harriet Jacobs' "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl."

Each of the four powerful texts offers an effective complement to the others in the collection. In other words, each narrative illuminates at least one unique and important aspect of the American slave experience. Olaudah Equiano, for example, tells what it was like for a native African to be enslaved and transported across the Atlantic in a slave ship. Prince illuminates the life of a slave woman on the Caribbean islands. Douglass, born to a slave mother and a white father, describes in detail his quest for literacy. And Jacobs offers an incisive window into the sexual pathology of the slaveowning society.

These four texts are both valuable historical documents and fascinating works of literature. Much American literature--autobiography, poetry, novels, essays, and other genres--demonstrates the influence of, or parallels to, these pivotal texts. "The Classic Slave Narratives" is a necessary text for those interested in United States and Caribbean history, in American literature, in literacy, or in human rights.

Book was very readable and does have a Nihil Obstat & Imprimatur, meaning that the Church has officially decreed that the publication is free of doctrinal and moral error - obviously something important if you want to learn the true teachings of the Church. The book is an excellent topical review of Catholic beliefs that will hopefully serve as a gateway to others, that delve even deeper into the truth. There are many great resources out there, one of my favorites is St. Joseph Communications: http://www.saintjoe.com/

New Catholics and converts often struggle with the catechism but this book is an easy read for everyone. Even life long Catholics could benefit and come to know their faith better through reading this book.

Thanks, this filled in a lot of holes I created while I was "away" from my Church

I picked this book up, expecting it not to contain very much of use. Imagine my surprise when I discovered how "meaty" this work is! As a Director of Religious Education for my parish, I am now recommending this to inquirers who are considering joining the Catholic Church. Co-author Rev. John Trigilio has a television program on the Catechism on EWTN, so he's known to be orthodox. I highly recommend this work for both those who are already Catholic, and those who are curious about the Catholic Church and her teachings.

This book was recommended by my church for reading during RCIA courses. I have read this book & it's great! I was able to be interactive during RCIA due to studying this book, it's a great intro prior to reading the CCC or any other books on Mass etc. It will give you an informative scope on all areas of the church. It gives you just enough information to make you aware of the history of the church and the practices of Catholicism. It prompts you to want to study further reading materials. It's definitely a great book to have in your library rather you are a cradle Catholic or just wanting to understand the faith. It's worth the buy.