Consolidated book suggestions for AP

Omega_Weapon · June 13, 2006, 12:36am

Influenced by “Ryan’s AP prep book master list,” (<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=129812[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=129812</a>) and finding relatively little on “good textbooks to use” recommendations on this site, I’ve decided to publish my own list for those intrepid ones who want to self-study for the AP exams.

To further preface, it should probably be noted that one probably doesn’t have to read a course’s textbook to pass an AP exam with a 5 (accepted for full credit in many public colleges), given that refer to the aforementioned study guide thread and buy from Amazon accordingly.

This truth is especially magnified in some cases: an exceptionally easy AP test (think: AP Human Geography); a special, shall we say, “innate” ability in a certain subject area; or simply an above-average work ethic (as indicated by you, dear reader, caring enough to click this thread on collegeconfidential.com).

However, this thread is written on the quasi-humanitarian ground that you ought to learn something in your high school career other than how to fill in standardized test ovals.

To make you more likely to accept that belief–and to buttress my own authority on the list proceeding–let me give you my profile. First off, I’m a Harvard admittant with a 4.0 GPA and with perfect scores on the following tests the first time I took them:
–ACT
–SAT
–SAT II (U.S. Hist., Bio. Eco., & Eng. Lit.)

And fives on the AP tests I’ve taken whose respective books will hereafter be enumerated. I tell you this not to brag–though some of you will undoubtedly think that–but in the hope that the tremendous resource of College Confidential, which gave so much to me, may help the posterity as well.

So, with that long and probably egotistical introduction finished, here is, hopefully, the definitive AP Textbook List. (Final note, I promise, I’ll be providing the links to the books mentioned on Amazon, for further buying ease.)

THE NATURAL SCIENCES

Environmental Science–The social of the natural sciences, we start here, with Environmental Science, and the book, without question, is Botkin’s Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047148816X/qid=1150166077/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047148816X/qid=1150166077/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

This book is the most comprehensive of all the introductory college texts, and this is especially important in the field of environmental science, where many of the texts are of little merit. Get this book. However, on Amazon new edition prices are fairly high; one back will do.

Biology–For AP Bio the obvious choice is Biology by Campbell and Reece. (<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/080537146X/sr=8-1/qid=1150164537/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/080537146X/sr=8-1/qid=1150164537/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8</a>)

This book is by far the best for introductory biology. As a matter of fact, I would go as far to say that no introductory textbook so dominates the field as this one, with the possible exception being with the field of Neuroscience and the Kandel’s Principles of Neural Science (<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0838577016/ref=ed_oe_h/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8)%5B/url%5D”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0838577016/ref=ed_oe_h/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8)</a>.

However, Neuroscience is not an AP subject (scandal!), which makes this book the best one I can recommend to you in its area. (However, Kandel’s book does make a good supplement for the test, all 1414 pages of it.)

Another good supplement to the AP Bio test is Edward O. Wilson’s fascinating lecture on the relation of the sciences and the humanities, which you may want to watch to look at modern evolutionary theory:

<a href=“http://athome.harvard.edu/dh/wilson.html[/url]”>http://athome.harvard.edu/dh/wilson.html</a>

Finally, with Campbell’s book it is important to note the importance of getting a recent edition (though, for expense reasons, not necessarily the latest), because with each new edition comes the addition of about three to four chapters of material–very large, very important.

Chemistry–For AP Chem a similar, though perhaps infinitesimally-reduced, confidence may be given to Brown’s Chemistry: The Central Science.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0130669970/qid=1150164999/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0130669970/qid=1150164999/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

This book contains of plethora of information and sample problems, needed for the test. Note however, that as we move from biology to chemistry and from there to physics, and from there to math (AP Calc)–the most “natural” of all the natural sciences–you must realize the demand of mathematical ability thusly increases. And for people, including myself, who require more time and effort to wrap their minds around the concepts involved, it makes self-studying all the more difficult.

However, lack of natural ability hardly excuses you from expanding the frontiers of your empire of knowledge, and it can be done, especially with occasional meetings with a talented high school teacher.

Recent editions are less important with the Brown’s book.

Physics–Unfortunately, Physics is not so dominated by a single textbook as are the first three sciences I mentioned. However, for algebra-based physics, Cutnell’s Physics.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471151831/qid=1150166747/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471151831/qid=1150166747/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471209392/qid=1150166747/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471209392/qid=1150166747/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

You’ll note there are two links. This book is in two volumes, and, like you may have guessed from my love for thoroughness, I recommend both of them. That, of course, is pricy. However, like environmental science, you may safely go back one (or more) editions.

Calculus–Here again I will recommend a very in-depth book, Stewart’s Calculus.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/053439339X/qid=1150167008/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/053439339X/qid=1150167008/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

No matter how much you hate math, and I understand you’re loathing, you must learn calculus well, that is, traditionally. Though many books take a radically new, and perhaps more entertaining, study of the subject, they only superficially cover the topics you really ought to understand.

Some complain that this book is too hard. “I have to re-read sections over some four or five times!” they wail. My answer: good. It’s a math book, not Harold Robbins’ The Carpetbaggers.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0671874845/ref=ed_oe_p/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0671874845/ref=ed_oe_p/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8</a>)

End of Part One

Omega_Weapon · June 13, 2006, 12:38am

Beginning of Part Two

THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Statistics–I put statistics in the social sciences. I feel it goes there. However, I didn’t use a book for it, just a variety of knowledge I put together over the years. I’m sorry. Hopefully somebody else can help.

Economics–You most certainly should take both micro and macro, and for convenience, you’ll want to use only one textbook. You’re in luck, Economics is another field dominated by a single textbook, McConnell’s Economics.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0072340363/qid=1150167636/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0072340363/qid=1150167636/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

This will give you what you need, clearly and scholarly. Note that this is the only McGraw-Hill book on the list. When shopping for textbooks, beware that horrible brand as a general rule. They are very prone to only superficially covering topics. This book is a wonderful exception.

Psychology–Like Calculus, Psychology is another field to beware of books that lack thoroughness. Bernstein’s Psychology avoids that.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0618527184/qid=1150167878/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0618527184/qid=1150167878/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

This book requires a new edition. It isn’t that expensive, however.

U.S. Government–The U.S. government test can probably be aced with a year’s worth of watching the Newshour with Jim Lehrer:

<a href=“http://www.pbs.org/newshour/[/url]”>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/</a>

Of course, I would obviously not allow you to slack off that badly. You should probably get Janda’s The Challenge of Democracy, a very good title.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/061825935X/qid=1150168280/sr=2-3/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_3/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/061825935X/qid=1150168280/sr=2-3/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_3/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

I have here posted a book one edition back. You’re encouraged to get a newer one, especially given the courses reliance on current events, but on Amazon it’s pricy. Steer clear from the brief edition, especially when the real thing, one edition back, is about the same price.

Comparative Government–This book is the hardest to pick because of the College Board’s frequent switch-up of what six countries it wants you to study. I really can’t recommend much but Wood’s Study Guide.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0974348120/qid=1150168652/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0974348120/qid=1150168652/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

However, if they switch one obscure country (Nigeria, anyone?) for any other (Guam, mayhap?) it will render Wood’s book fairly, but not totally, useless. It’s important to note with Wood’s book, however, that you must pay most careful attention to the actual institutions. The fact that the lower house of Russia is named the Duma, for example, is much more important than historical questions, at least on the multiple choice. On the essay, you’ll need reasonable background in current events. Watch the news.

I’m sorry, but Comp. Gov. is hard to give good recommendation to. Just make sure you know the countries they want next year, or the next, or whenever. Also, you might try perusing Amazon some more.

World History–History in general is the best subject area to self-study. Since history is just a story, a good author is all you need. Here I’m partial to Hill’s A History of World Societies.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0395944899/qid=1150169245/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0395944899/qid=1150169245/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

This book is good because it will tell you about social history without neglecting political and cultural history, the more traditional foci. Like with Physics, make sure you get the complete book, not just a part volume.

European History–I like the other Houghton Mifflin counterpart, McKay’s A History of Western Society.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0618170464/ref=ed_oe_h/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0618170464/ref=ed_oe_h/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8</a>)

Again this is good because you get the social history without neglecting cultural and political history, and again, make sure to get the complete edition, not just a part.

U.S. History–Here I’m going to go a little outside the box and give you a book that has more than a few flaws but is by far the most in-depth textbook I’ve come across: Blum’s The National Experience: A History of the United States.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0155003666/qid=1150169641/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0155003666/qid=1150169641/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

Okay, the flaws: black and white, little social history, fewer pictures, old (1993), only covers up until George Bush Sr, long sentences, and a voluminous vernacular. However, with that, it’s amazingly in-depth and will give every nitty-gritty detail, which I’m obviously partial to. It’s also very cheap.

Human Geography–Hum. Geo. is like environmental science in that there are a lot of textbooks filled with complete crap. Luckily, it’s the easiest AP test and therefore even the crap can smell decent. I personally like Knox’s Places and Regions in the Global Context: Human Geography.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0131015184/sr=8-5/qid=1150170218/ref=pd_bbs_5/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0131015184/sr=8-5/qid=1150170218/ref=pd_bbs_5/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8</a>)

For some reason, the College Board doesn’t have a Physical Geography test. Odd, considering how much more common of a discipline it is for students than human geography. Nevertheless, I feel an understanding of physical geography is beneficial for you on the test and in life. Therefore, I recommend Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts by Blij.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471152242/ref=pd_cp_b_title/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471152242/ref=pd_cp_b_title/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

THE HUMANITIES (the area I know the littlest about, I’ll do my best)

English Literature & Composition and English Language & Composition–I didn’t study for either of these tests and got fives on both. To be honest, there’s no textbook to really use. I refer you back to Ryan’s thread for you to pick up study guides on both of these, all you need.
(<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=129812[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=129812</a>)

However, I will say this about the AP Literature: read a lot. I didn’t just go in there and ace it. Rather, it takes a lot of reading. For the last Free-Response Question, you have to pick a book you’ve read for any prompt they pick. That requires plenty of classic literature at your disposal.

However, that isn’t to say it’s impossible, and there are some “killer” books that will work for virtually everything. My favorite is Tolstoy’s War and Peace.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/067003469X/qid=1150170832/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/067003469X/qid=1150170832/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

I’ve reviewed FRQ’s from all the years available and have yet to find one that wouldn’t fit it. For instance, people tell me this year’s AP Lit. question asked for a work of literature where the countryside plays a vital role in the plot. Perfect. All Russia is is countryside. And what happens there in the book? Battles and fun times with families. Battles=war; fun=peace. War and Peace. And that’s your essay. Just one example. Plus, no one reads this book anymore, and that depresses me.

Art History–Two books compete for the top-seed in Art history. The first is Stokstad’s Art History.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0130918687/ref=ed_oe_h/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0130918687/ref=ed_oe_h/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8</a>)

Again, make sure you get a combined-volume set. The second is Janson’s History of Art, which some find to be better.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0131934783/qid=1150171204/sr=1-14/ref=sr_1_14/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0131934783/qid=1150171204/sr=1-14/ref=sr_1_14/002-9230603-0663230?s=books&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

I used Stokstad’s and it worked fine. Also don’t be intimidated by the size of these books. When they come to your door, they’re gigantic. But the text is small, the margins large, the pages thick, and full of pictures–all factors that minimize the amount you have to read.

Whatever the case, when you’re reviewing you should use Strickland’s The Annotated Mona Lisa: A Crash Course in Art History from Prehistoric to Post-Modern.
(<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0836280059/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_1/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0836280059/ref=cm_lm_fullview_prod_1/002-9230603-0663230?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155</a>)

The book, however, is a little Western-oriented, but then, so is the AP test.

Studio Art–Know nothing, can’t help you. But if reading literature makes you a better writer, I’d imagine looking at paintings would help. And there are plenty of paintings in either of the art history texts.

End of Part Two

Omega_Weapon · June 13, 2006, 12:39am

Beginning of Part Three

OTHERS

Foreign Languages–I never took any of these exams, though I speak Latin and Greek proficiently. Actually, I consider it something of a personal triumph that I was able to get into Harvard without a single semester of foreign language study on the records I sent them (they wouldn’t have been able to tell I spoke another language).

However, self-studying a language is hard, though not impossible. Unfortunately, having not taken the exams, I’m of little help to you. With Latin tests, you’ll have to know the classics (in Latin), but that’s all I’ve got.

Computer Science–Know nothing, can’t help you. However, there are some other parts of the forum to this, and as always, I encourage the experts here to fill in what I don’t know.

I guess that covers it. That only took four hours. Well, it’s worth if one kid reads these books over the summer. They’re not that hard, honestly. And if you read at a good clip (100 pages a day), you can read them all in a three month period.

When you get within a few months of the early May tests, start reading all the study guides on the Master Study Guide list. You need those to refresh. On that thread I’d recommend someone go through and link everything to Amazon, as I’ve done here.

A note on buying textbooks: on the whole they’re huge rip-offs to buy new. $150 isn’t cheap. When I’ve linked to these pages I assume that you’ll only buy used or new from someone independently selling. It’s amazing the murderous rates you can get for these books. A hardcover, 1,200-page Art History text goes for around $10, shipping including if you buy used. It’s safe, or at least it was for me.

Learn from my experiences. Drop the $100 total on all these books. Read them the summer of your Junior of Sophomore year. Start reading their recommended study guides a few months prior. Take the tests, and you’ll get all fives. This is the way to prepare.

Again, I’m doing this because I haven’t done anything for this site, ever, till now. And I hope that someone will Sticky this (and the study guide thread) to help me help others.

Thanks for reading this trilogy better than Star Wars. Now I’m off to Harvard.

VanillaExtract · June 13, 2006, 12:48am

wow…
i feel bad about disagreeing with you after all the work you put into this… but…
oh well… differences of opinions
NICE WORK!

lostincode · June 13, 2006, 5:04am

I found zumdahl to be pretty useless.. the PR alone can probably get you a 5. For psychology, barrons alone is enough, but I strongly recommend reading the myers book as it’s really fun to read… it’s one of the very few textbooks (on any subject) out there that I enjoyed reading.

ja89 · June 13, 2006, 11:05am

ap french lang is a demon incarnate.

Senator_Noodles · June 13, 2006, 2:18pm

Barron’s would work but I agree with jennyanne89. I self-studied it and it was fun taking the test because I like french and I like reading/writing/speaking/understanding it. However, I did NOT do well…I don’t recommend self-study if you’re going to care about your score but if you’re taking it for fun, by all means go ahead! It’s a fun test.

I think I just called taking an AP test fun. Someone slap me.

Trinity · June 13, 2006, 3:05pm

Since this is a recurring theme, time has come to consolidate the many threads we have.

amazon · June 13, 2006, 8:31pm

I just read through the whole thread. I’m taking AP Calculus AB, Micro and Macro Econ, Spanish Language and AP Bio. What books should I get?

AP Calc - There seems to be a consensus on PR but I’m worried about the one person who said you can’t tell what’s AB from BC. also ARCO, Kaplan?

Econ - PR - better for Micro? Barrons?

Bio - Cliffs and 5-steps

AP Spanish language - are they changing the test so I should wait for new books? Any recommendations?

Thank you all very much for your suggestions.

crouton · June 13, 2006, 8:49pm

lit stats comp gov?

coolg49964 · June 13, 2006, 11:42pm

Im glad this is finally a sticky! It helped me out more than once, and I was getting sick of those “new post” emails for someone bumping the thread!

arthurbulla · June 14, 2006, 7:36pm

Alright, so how does this look? (After going through the thread, of course)

Stats - Barrons
CompSci AB - Barrons (This one I’m unsure of-- it only got one mention, anyone have any other suggestions?)
Environ - REA (“Smartypants” sounds like it’s not good on its own, and I’m looking to not have to buy a book for this class)
Bio - Cliffs (For sure, but then I’d like to have another. It was a 3-way tie between Barron’s, PR, and 5 to a 5…)

jbusc · June 18, 2006, 2:25am

Sorry if I missed this posted somewhere in the last 5 pages, but I really liked Cliff’s for Calc BC. Bummer I only found it 1 week before the AP exam :)

bm95050 · June 19, 2006, 12:46am

My experience from chem: Ignore everything you learned in AP chemistry and engulf yourself in PR. Having a sucky teacher can really teach you the value of books. :-)

coolg49964 · June 19, 2006, 4:09am

bm95050- Long story short, my experience exactly!

arthurbulla · June 19, 2006, 3:19pm

Thirded, except I also used Barron’s.

Pre-medwannabe · June 21, 2006, 12:26am

No one has really answered these two and I really need to know because I am self-studying for AP Econ Macro and I don’t know what prep and textbook to use?

Also, what prepbook is best for AP Enviornmental Science?

bm95050 · June 21, 2006, 1:10pm

I have a question similar to Premedwannabe: I took Macroeconomics as a dual credit class in a local community college during this summer. Which book should I use to prep for the AP exam about a year later from now.

vikingmar08 · June 22, 2006, 12:20am

can somebody distinguish between macro and micro and which would be easier… for i would be self-studying

bm95050 · June 22, 2006, 10:37am

I would say micro economics is definitely easier…if you’re into using formulas and calculations rather than general economic concepts.

Consolidated book suggestions for AP

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