Barron's AP U.S. Government and Politics [Paperback]

Curt Lader (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0764138200 | ISBN-13: 978-0764138201 | Edition: 5

This manual's general review of U.S. government and politics is specifically focused to reflect the most-often-asked questions on recent Advanced Placement exams. Topics covered include Constitutional development, the branches and institutions of the federal government, political parties and processes, special interest groups, the media, bureaucracy, and public policy issues as they relate to the economy, the federal budget, social welfare, the environment and energy, and foreign policy and the national defense. Two full-length model exams follow the manual's subject review, and come with answer keys.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

back cover

Two full-length model exams with answer keys

Subject review covering all AP test topics

Topics include Constitutional development, the branches and institutions of the federal government, political parties and processes, special interest groups, and the media

Also covered: Public policy issues as they relate to the economy, the federal budget, social welfare, foreign policy, and national defense

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 5 edition (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764138200
• ISBN-13: 978-0764138201
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Weird and harder?, September 17, 2008

By 

H. Mei "n00bhaus3r" (Marietta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barron's AP U.S. Government and Politics (Paperback)

The advantage of using any Barron's book is that the problems in it are a lot harder than those you'll see on the actual exam. Review books are not meant to be textbooks, so they will give a general overview of the course. After 14 AP exams so far (7 more this year), I've never walked into an exam where College Board's questions were harder than Barron's.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a pretty thorough review for the AP exam, May 17, 2009

By 

Phuong-mai Do - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barron's AP U.S. Government and Politics (Paperback)

although this book was meant to be read along with a textbook throughout the school year, i had not bought it until a few weeks before the actual exam. It helped a lot and covered all the subjects very well. The only thing is that the chapters are extremely long and provide more examples than necessary. The questions are definitely a lot harder than whats on the exam so if you pass the practice tests, you're sure to score well on the AP exam.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Find a better book., May 27, 2008

By 

smartee - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barron's AP U.S. Government and Politics (Paperback)

The details from the publisher appropriately say "general review" because it is SO general. The details of US government that you really need for this test are absent from the review (come on, it's an AP test, they're looking for college-level understanding) and the review questions at the end of each chapter and the practice tests are completely based on almost word for word the book material and were so much weirder/harder than the actual test. I don't think this book helped me at all for the test, and unfortunately I had to buy it for class anyway or I never would've wasted my money.

I think if you want a 3 on the test- review only with this book. If you want a 4/5 use your textbook extensively (like I did) or get a much better book.