Rating: 
Summary: Fun to read, and very helpful in prep for AP test
Review: History is one of my favorite subjects, and I have read quite a few textbooks in the area, and I have never found one with the perfect combination of being readable yet comprehensive.I must admit, I found the chapters covering 1200-1800 to be much more interesting than the last few chapters, but even the last chapters had all the characters and events that you need to know. One point that recommends this book is that it acknowledges point of view, something very important on the APEH exam or in any history analysis. Most textbooks force you to extrapolate their point of view and shift your interpretation. I found that McKay and his co-authors present a very neutral account of history, rarely passing judgment on history's actors. The organization worked for me also. It is loosely chronological, but bends for continuity. It adequately covers almost all areas, from the Renaissance to the Thirty Years' War to the Industrial Revolution. Something about the style of writing and the organization helped my memory retention magnificently. I took Euro sophomore year, US junior year, and as a senior I remember about twice as many things from Euro as I remember from US. I largely owe that to this book. Remember to give yourself enough time to read the chapters, which are long and moderately dense. They take a few hours to read them really well, and you wouldn't want to read any of this book too fast or without your full attention. Anyway, buy it, read it, enjoy it! = deeper understanding of Euro History and a 5 on the AP test.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I don't know what you kids are talking about; this book rocks. Yes, it's somewhat general, some events are drawn in broadstrokes, there are simplificatios etc. etc., but how else would you manage to go from antiquity through the modern era in such short space? I defy anyone to name a better survey of Western history. Honestly, if there is one, one that isn't overly specialized and jargonistic, I'd be glad to hear of it. I used this book nearly 10 years ago and I still remember what it said about the defenestration of Prague, the development of "real Politik", and the Treaty of Versailles, among other things.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I don't know what you kids are talking about; this book rocks. Yes, it's somewhat general, some events are drawn in broadstrokes, there are simplificatios etc. etc., but how else would you manage to go from antiquity through the modern era in such short space? I defy anyone to name a better survey of Western history. Honestly, if there is one, one that isn't overly specialized and jargonistic, I'd be glad to hear of it. I used this book nearly 10 years ago and I still remember what it said about the defenestration of Prague, the development of "real Politik", and the Treaty of Versailles, among other things.
Rating:
Summary: JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!
Review: I have been searching for a book that generally covers the events that occurred from ancient times up to now. I have not been so much interested in "substance" because I wanted to read about what happened and be able to form my own opinions and thoughts (create my own substance). I enjoyed having the facts listed precisely, to where I can view things at different angles from my own perceptions of the facts. Perhaps I can come up with another veiwpoint that will change the way I see the past, in effect, changing the past in my mind to a more positive one. Maybe the negatives parts of the past were not actually quite so negative, perhaps they accomplished a great deal more than what people now believe. Maybe by changing our perceptions of parts of history, we empower ourselves to change our present perceptions and attitudes, resulting in changing of the future. Perhaps?
Rating:
Summary: JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!
Review: I have been searching for a book that generally covers the events that occurred from ancient times up to now. I have not been so much interested in "substance" because I wanted to read about what happened and be able to form my own opinions and thoughts (create my own substance). I enjoyed having the facts listed precisely, to where I can view things at different angles from my own perceptions of the facts. Perhaps I can come up with another veiwpoint that will change the way I see the past, in effect, changing the past in my mind to a more positive one. Maybe the negatives parts of the past were not actually quite so negative, perhaps they accomplished a great deal more than what people now believe. Maybe by changing our perceptions of parts of history, we empower ourselves to change our present perceptions and attitudes, resulting in changing of the future. Perhaps?
Rating:
Summary: Three Weeks to CLEP Success
Review: I used this book as my primary resource to study for the Western Civilization I CLEP test. I found it interesting and informative. In three weeks, I read it cover to cover, took the CLEP test, and scored nearly twice the number of points needed to earn college credit. I would recommend it to anyone who is motivated and needs to work within a limited time frame.
Rating: 
Summary: literary review
Review: i was given this text book as the literature accompanying my AP European History course and although i must admit that the author's writing style is engaging and easily understood, i was deeply disappointed by his profound lack of understanding of some of the more controversial historical events and his tendency to consistently avoid any break with the status quo as far as historical analysis. for example, in a passage discussing the political philosophies of Lenin and the Bolsheviks he wrote "They believed in willpower, preached conflict, and worshiped violence." i dont think that one needs to be a communist to realize that this is a gross distortion of historical reality. as a history student being taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District, i wasnt expecting much, especially concidering America's record as far as distortion of history, but i must say that this passage and others like it shattered any hope i had of anything close to an objective or fair presentation. it is my personal opinion that if you're going to take the time to sit down and write a history book which you hope will be used to educate future generations, either present an objective view of what happened or, if you must use the book to expouse your own opinions, at least avoid these sort of gross generalizations. anyway, i realize that at 16 i probably don't have as much background in european history as Mr. McKay here, but i think sometimes even 16 year olds have valid points and i'm afraid that this is one of those situations.
Rating:
Summary: Best book i think i have read in High school
Review: Mckay's way is the best way. I loved this book i read it nightly ... perhaps i may have only got a 3 on the APEH exam, but that was my fault i read the book in one weekend and was confused (do not do the weekend before the test).... i love this book, my book is old, no cover.... most read book i have... its very clean cut...Mckays ties up everything very nicely... the book is set up themematicly, not evently, so it gets kind of jumbled but in the end it makes things seem more clear (especially using if you know your themes!....Intellectual Culture ... Political and diplomatic... social and economic ) ... it goes French Rev, IR Then ideology, seems odd while reading it but made more sense in the end.... . i really enjoyed this book...Mckay Buckler Hill have a very relaxing writing style that keeps you going and wanting to indulge your self into a more indepth view of European History. Only flaw is that i though the Ren/Ref era was kind of short lacking something.. Best chapter is chapter 18-THE ENLIGHTENMENT
Rating:
Summary: GOOD
Review: this book did help me get 100's on mr negras tests, till stupid people showed him the book and he realized that we got all the answers from it. my name is brad feinstein and i used it too get 100's. now i have to cheat on all my tests, but that's when im not gambling and losing all my money. I LOVE CHEESE
Rating:
Summary: Helpful
Review: This book helps me get 100s on every test...I wonder if Mr. Negra knows
|
