Rating: 
Summary: Less expensive than the tapes but has everything you need
Review: This book is a perfect complement to the Verbal Advantage Audio Cassettes or can stand alone. Everything that is covered on the tapes is in the book. You just need to decide whether you want an audio format costing close to 300 dollars or a print format which is under 20.
Rating:
Summary: Prepare for a fun ride through the English dictionary
Review: This book is an interesting stroll through English vocabulary. It starts you out with words that most adults know, and slowly leads you to the vocabulary of the intellectual elite. Along the way are stops for pronunciation tips, common English pitfalls, advice for increasing your vocabulary, and numerous other tips to help you sound like an educated speaker. This book is a very fun and exciting approach to an otherwise boring subject.I often heard many of the words in this book used on TV or radio, and didn't really know what they meant. Now I know what they mean, not what I think they might mean because of the way they are being used. This book is simply amazing.
Rating:
Summary: Prepare for a fun ride through the English dictionary
Review: This book is an interesting stroll through English vocabulary. It starts you out with words that most adults know, and slowly leads you to the vocabulary of the intellectual elite. Along the way are stops for pronunciation tips, common English pitfalls, advice for increasing your vocabulary, and numerous other tips to help you sound like an educated speaker. This book is a very fun and exciting approach to an otherwise boring subject. I often heard many of the words in this book used on TV or radio, and didn't really know what they meant. Now I know what they mean, not what I think they might mean because of the way they are being used. This book is simply amazing.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic - use the book with the tapes
Review: This book is fantastic. If you are really serious about improving your vocabulary use the book in conjuction with the tapes and you will be amazed how much your vocabulary grows!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic - use the book with the tapes
Review: This book is fantastic. If you are really serious about improving your vocabulary use the book in conjuction with the tapes and you will be amazed how much your vocabulary grows!
Rating:
Summary: One of the BEST Vocabulary Building Books
Review: This is a fun book for learning new words. The words are divided in 10 levels, each level containing 50 "key" words. Each level is progressively more challenging (you may read this as - it contains the words you might have been less likely to encounter, though this depends on what do your normally read).
Beside each word, you'll find the pronounciation in brackets. With words which may have two of more pronounciation, they are all mentioned here.
The "key word" is follows with the definition, as well as the origin. For example, if the word has a Latin root, then the Latin word is mentioned, together with the meaning of the Latin word.
Then the usage of the words is mentioned, together with different contexts in which such word may be used. You'll find the contexts where the word was originally used, as well as how its usage spread to other contexts, sometimes altering the meaning the word originally had.
You'll also find sections warning your of "abusage" of the words.
You'll find antonyms and synonyms of the "key" words, together with their definitions, usage, appropriate contexts, and distinguishing differences.
Each level is followed by a reviews, sample text where you can check out your comprehension, additional notes and a quiz.
At the beginning of the book is a "pretest" with 100 words, designed to help you to evaluate your current vocabulary level. At the end of the book is "posttest" with 100 words, designed to help you evaluate how much has your vocabulary expanded after working with this book.
Rating:
Summary: A pleasure to read
Review: You wouldn't think that a book designed to improve one's vocabulary would be a pleasure to read, but this one is. I bought the book because I have often considered ordering the (very expensive) audio program I always seem to see in airline magazines, but have never had the extra cash to spend on it. With it's levels, lists, and review tests, you'd think this book would be as boring as a high school vocab textbook, but it's not at all! Not only does he teach you new words (with precise, accurate definitions), but he throws in interesting tidbits on word history, correct but seldom used pronunciations, and some great anecdotes. I look forward to reading this book every time I open it.
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