Customer Reviews

Get Your Captain's License, Third Edition

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This book is frustrating because the learning consists of taking tests. There is not enough how to information. Also, the cd is supposed to randomly search the database and give a new test each time. However, after many practice tests I found that the cd did not access all the questions. Only because I also went through the written questions did I discover this. If you don't know this, you will not see all of the questions and you may need them all. On the plus side, the diagrams are what you will see in the real tests and the rules of the road are in the back of the book. I think it is very useful for drilling, not learning. This book should be considered a supplement. I recommend The Coast Guard License by Budd Gonder along with Chapman's and Dutton's for learning, and this book for practicing

I recently used this book to help me pass my Unlimited Master's Exam. I wholeheartedly recommend it as a study guide and as a drilling tool. I did not have access to the CD-ROM and only used the Questions and Answers Sections. I agree with other reviewers in that you must already have advanced knowledge in the subject areas to get the maximum out of this book. I like the fact that all the questions and answers are in one book and that the price is quite cheap compared to "Murphy's" 6 volumes and ... price tag. I would also recommend "Formulae for the Mariner" and getting a 1981 Nautical Almanac from the start to study with.

No single text is going to allow you to ace the test, but this should be one of the ones you use. This is the second edition and supposedly updated as of 2000. While much of the information is available on the Coast Guard web site, Wing does a good job of "packaging it" to make it much more readable. I found the light and signal summaries worth the price of the book. Without these two summaries, memorization of the many, many lights and signals would be much harder. Another plus is a "plain english" version as well as the original rules - much more readable and easier to learn.

This book has all the potential of being a great book for the captian's liscense exam, but falls far short. Poorly written chapters and there is no explaination to the exam questions. VERY frustrating. If anyone knows a good book to prepare for the Captains Liscense, I would appreciate an email (cjamesb@airmail.net) Bottom Line: Don't waste your money.

This book is extreemly basic, and lacks the detail required to pass a USCG exam. It may be useful to someone seeking a six-pack, however don't even think about using this book to get you through any test equal to or above Master 100 GT. The only value the book has is in the test questions provided in the book. The software was not nearly as impressive as it was made out to be, and few of the questions were on the CG test. Rules of the Road is adequate. Deck General and Safety is the longest part of the CG exam, and this book separates the two. Don't bother looking here for any help on load and stability problems. The explainations and math were not included. Navigation General is the one section that is detailed, however nearly all questions in that section of the test can be answered from your Lights List, Coast Pilot, and Tide Tables. Navigation problems do not help any with your actual chart plot when you sit for the exam. Basically this book will not help you with the Master/Mate 100 GT or above examinations.

This new 3rd edition is better than the fist two. It is not a complete guide to all you need to learn to test for a USCG License, but it is a good base. There are still a few corrections needed in the rules that should have been updated for this 3rd edition and not all the study text agrees with the USCG questions. The CD tests is okay for review and gives a good feel of what needs to be studiedfor the USCG exams. Over all makes a great referance and should help anyone looking for a lower level license.

This book may be extremely frustrating to you due to several errors (I only made it through the first section) and ambiguities. Errors include, but are not limited to, diagrams showing the light requirements of certain vessels with the port and starboard sidelights reversed, test questions with incorrect answers, regulations not covered but tested on.

I have called the publisher, and they are aware of the errors, but couldn't provide me with a complete list of them...It makes for very frustrating reading!

From the intro: "The instructional text and illustrations provide an answer to an estimated 95% of the questions". Nonsense. Maybe 65%, in sketchy outline at that. But either you're just cramming answers to the questions, (which are available online for free) and can use the somewhat awkward CD or you are a serious student of the sea and will have or want a complete reference library to back this volume up.
So, it's a valuable book, but not as valuable as they say it is or as it could be.

This text is great and the CD-ROM which lets u take and review practice tests may even better. I was surprised at the effectiveness of the text. All the material was presented in sufficient detail to answer your questions, but no not so detailed as to be burdensome as a college degree. The end result for me was a perfect score on all four sections of the test, but I took a LOT of practice tests. YOU NEED THIS BOOK & CD!

This book is horrible. I have my masters license and have been a working as a 200 ton captain for 7 years. I used this book back when I was studying and hated it and now I am helping a friend study. This book is VERY incomplete and missing a TON of needed information. It also contains material that is not necessary for a 100 ton or smaller license.
The book is not thorough, and it is not complete. You will NOT learn the required material or pass your exams by using this book alone. Well, you might pass....but thats only because you were able to memorize the answers to the questions this book didnt bother to even touch on..

Its too bad there isnt another source because this book is terrible.

NOTE TO THE PUBLISHER (should you read this) - review, outline, and explain each type of question. Their are far too many questions that are not intuitive that you omitted from your chapters. How are students supposed to answers the questions and understand the material of you skip it. Go through each and every question and make sure it can be cross referenced IN YOUR BOOK.