European History (Cliffs AP) [Paperback]

Michael J. Romano (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764586874 | ISBN-13: 978-0764586873 | Publication Date: December 27, 2002 | Edition: 1

CliffsAP study guides help you gain an edge on Advanced Placement* exams. Review exercises, realistic practice exams, and effective test-taking strategies are the key to calmer nerves and higher AP* scores.

CliffsAP European History is for students who are enrolled in AP European History or who are preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination in this area. AP programs in European History cover important themes in European History from 1450 to the present. With the test-taking strategies, clear explanation of the exam format, a look at how exams are graded, and three full practice tests, this study guide can help students get ready to show what they know about how the following themes help shape the world in which we live:

• Intellectual and cultural history
• Political and diplomatic history
• Social and economic history

Sample questions (and answers!) and practice tests reinforce what you’ve learned in topics such as the Renaissance, the Age of Imperialism, and the Cold War. CliffsAP European History also includes information on the following:

• The English and Catholic Reformations
• The rise of Constitutionalism in England
• The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment
• Mercantilism and the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions
• World Wars I and II
• The collapse of Communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe

This comprehensive guide offers a thorough review of key concepts and detailed answer explanations. It’s all you need to do your best — and get the college credits you deserve.

*Advanced Placement Program and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse this product.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Your complete guide to a higher score on the AP European History Exam

Why CliffsAP Guides?

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Written by test prep specialists

About the contents:

Part I: Introduction to the AP European History Exam

• Main themes of the AP European History course
• Exam format and scoring procedures
• Valuable study hints and essay-writing tips
• Successful test-taking strategies
• Tips for mastering the multiple-choice questions
• 7 steps to make essay writing easy

Part II: Review Section

• 14-chapter review of all periods from the Renaissance to the present
• Coverage of intellectual/cultural, political/diplomatic, and social/economic themes
• Chronology table for quick reference to key dates, events, and periods
• Sample multiple-choice questions with answers
• Sample document-based questions and essay questions with typical responses

Part III: 3 Full-length Practice Exams with Answers and Explanations

AP Test Prep Essentials from the Experts at CliffsNotes

About the Author

Michael J. Romano, Ph.D., has ten years of experience helping students pass the AP European History exam. He serves as District Chairperson of Social Studies K-12 for the Northport--East Northport Union Free School District and is an adjunct professor of history at St. John's University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes; 1 edition (December 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764586874
• ISBN-13: 978-0764586873
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but be sure to use it with another book, December 29, 2005

By 

Geeta Gupta "liberal philosopher" (Temecula, CA US of A) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: European History (Cliffs AP) (Paperback)

I have yet to find the perfect AP prep book for any subject, so I HIGHLY recommend buying this with the PRINCETON REVIEW book because:
-Cliffs has some of the most comprehensive review, though it doesnt have good review questions, at least not for AP preparation (assuming that's your intent).
-Princeton R. has the BEST review QUESTIONS, AND the best AP practice exams, they virtually mimic College Board's--right down to the FONT! (don't know about the margins, though, haha)
-Cliffs has THE BEST feature: timelines after every chapter to help with organization of the material covered.
-Princeton does a pretty good job of covering key points for the DBQ and essay, but the key to nailing them is basically organization, a STRONG thesis, and a good knowledge of the content (which needs to be conveyed to the AP grader). That being said, these two books with definitely boost your knowledge and confidence when taking the AP exam. Peace, and good luck.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Study Tool, August 25, 2004

By 

U. Khan (Long Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: European History (Cliffs AP) (Paperback)

The Cliffs is one of the best AP Euro review books. It's got excellent content, reviews all of the topics very thoroughly and concisely. You get all of the information you need, without being overloaded with extra facts. It also has a good basic timeline at the end of each chapter, which I like.

I had intentionally planned to read all of the hundreds of pages of notes I had taken on my textbook reading (McKay), but it was too much of an information overload, and was taking too much time. So instead, I spent the week before the exam reading and highlighting. It was a huge help, and I owe my 5 to my fantastic teacher, textbook, as well as this reviewbook.

The only problem is that the questions at the end of each chapter aren't nearly as hard as the real thing. Though the sample essays at the end of the book are fantastic, the practice test questions aren't very difficult either. So I reccommend definitely getting this book, along with maybe the Barrons. I didn't buy any other review book myself, just relied on this book + the old exams my teacher gave us. But it can't hurt to have another source, just for extra practice or details one of them might miss. Good luck!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Should not be totally depended upon, November 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: European History (Cliffs AP) (Paperback)

This book was thorough with explaining each of the main topics and it has everything major in european history that you need to know for the ap test. However, this book had NO MENTION whatsoever of the social aspect of european history. AP has begun to add more social history questions, and this book did not include any of it. In addition, there were grammar and spelling mistakes. There also weren't enough practice tests, but they gave a pretty good indicator of what you would get on the real AP, excluding the DBQ and essays. So this book is good to use if you want to use it as a supplemental book to your AP class, but do not solely use it for the AP.