The Wizard of Oz Vocabulary Builder [Paperback]

Mark Phillips (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0972743901 | ISBN-13: 978-0972743907 | Publication Date: March 13, 2003

Mark Phillips (Bayside, NY), a former SAT Verbal instructor, has worked as an editor in the publishing field for more than 30 years. He is the author of seven books.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A unique vocabulary building guide…A recommended and unforgettable skill-improvement tool…A useful tool for building an impressive vocabulary. -- Midwest Book Review, June 2003

From the Back Cover

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: A.J. Cornell Publications (March 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972743901
• ISBN-13: 978-0972743907
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #475,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mark Phillips is an author, guitarist, arranger, and editor with more than 35 years in the music publishing field. He earned his bachelor's degree in music theory from Case Western Reserve University, where he received the Carolyn Neff Award for scholastic excellence, and his master's degree in music theory from Northwestern University, where he was elected to Pi Kappa Lambda, the most prestigious U.S. honor society for college and university music students. While working toward a doctorate in music theory at Northwestern, Phillips taught classes in theory, ear-training, sight-singing, counterpoint, and guitar.

During the 1970s and early '80s, Phillips was Director of Popular Music at Warner Bros. Publications, where he edited and arranged the songbooks of such artists as Neil Young, James Taylor, the Eagles, and Led Zeppelin. Since the mid-'80s he has served as Director of Music and Director of Publications at Cherry Lane Music, where he has edited or arranged the songbooks of such artists as John Denver, Van Halen, Guns N' Roses, and Metallica, and has served as Music Editor of the magazines Guitar and Guitar One.

Phillips is the author of several books on musical subjects, including Guitar for Dummies, Metallica Riff by Riff, Sight-Sing Any Melody Instantly, and Sight-Read Any Rhythm Instantly. In his non-musical life, Phillips is the author/publisher of a series of 'fun' high school English textbooks, including The Wizard of Oz Vocabulary Builder, The Pinocchio Intermediate Vocabulary Builder, Tarzan and Jane's Guide to Grammar, and Conversations in Early American History: 1492-1837.

Phillips' publishing company, A. J. Cornell Publications, was named in honor of, and publishes selected works by, two favorite early 20th century authors, A. J. Cronin and Cornell Woolrich.

For the reference value of his numerous publications, Phillips is profiled in Who's Who in America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mark Phillips is a Genius, November 5, 2003

By 

D. Orinski (Manassas, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wizard of Oz Vocabulary Builder (Paperback)

Mark Phillip's book is one long desired by society. His preface explains why he wrote the book (mainly because when he was younger, there was no such thing as a vocabulary builder outside of the dictionary) and also gives instruction about the proper way to use the book.

While the story of the Wizard of Oz is well known, the language that Phillips uses is quite unique, but very informative and helpful in developing a stronger vocabulary. The basic premise of the book is that when you learn a word in context, such as the story of the Wizard of Oz, you are more prone to remember the word, how to use it, and its meaning. This premise is correct, and after one reading of the book, any reader should not question its means.

However, do not expect to get this book, read it through once and remember all the words; this book is meant to be read three, four, or more times because of the vast amount of words to be learned.

The only criticism that I have of the books is in his footnote-like definitions for words. While he gives examples of how to use the word and a solid working definition, he fails to give the word's part of speech. Now, obviously one can infer whether or not the word in question is a noun, verb, adverb, and the like, but that information would also help in case, down the road, you remember the meaning but not how to use it.

Other than that, the book is quite good, and does what it is set out to do: Build a stronger vocabulary. I read the book myself, and as a graduate student, built my vocabulary immensely. I also teach GED classes and recommended it to my more advanced GED students. While some of the words were well over their head to begin with, they learned other words without any problem. Therefore, this book can be used for the high school level student, the graduate school student, the business person, or just someone trying to become more articulate.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great idea, February 8, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wizard of Oz Vocabulary Builder (Paperback)

This book is a excellent idea and it works! The only comment I have is that sometimes many similar words are used at the same point in the story (e.g. listless, enervating, langour). This makes the reading not so interesting and the definitions confusing since they're so similar. Another example, "trite cliche". Perhaps this is the authors intention, to group the synonyms. But maybe greater separation of the words will help the reader better appreciate the nuances of their meanings.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource, April 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wizard of Oz Vocabulary Builder (Paperback)

I wish this book had existed when I was in high school! The chapters are very brief, so it's easy to read one a day or re-read one for a quick review. The example sentences used in the definitions not only clearly illustrate each usage, but cover a wide variety of topics. This is a user-friendly book whose informal teaching style will hold your attention.