<p>My school doesn’t offer AP World History so I decided to do an independent study. Textbooks on the subject are pretty expensive and hard to find. Should I really try to get my hands on a textbook or would I be able to learn from a review book like from Princeton Review? I understand that review books are meant for review, but can they serve as initial learning material too?</p>
<p>My goal isn’t just to get a 5 on the test but to actually learn.</p>
<p>I respect you for wanting to learn rather than getting a 5 (even though I’m sure you wouldn’t mind a 5). The WHAP (World History AP) is perfect for someone who actually wants to learn. However, because of you saying that, I think it would be a lot better if you got a textbook (I suggest Stearns) if you want to learn. It doesn’t help to have a txtbk to get a 5 either. Ask your teachers if they happen to have the book lying around but if not, you can access the website. But if you do get a review book (which you should, but not as primary learning material), get Princeton Review, or else you suck at life. It is quite possibly the greatest review book ever. I took it last year (with a class) and got a 5.</p>
<p>The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History has a plethora of information. even if ur not aiming for 5, reading this book in motivation to learn will give you a higher chance of receiving a 5. trust me. i read it to actually learn too and I got a 5.</p>
<p>Hey! About the textbook the above poster just mentioned, I used it during my freshman year in Honors World History II. Actually, I think it’s a pretty nice book to use, and I will use it to self-study, too. I happened to…ahem…not return it to my teacher and still have it lying around in my house.</p>
<p>I just have a question for someone to answer…is the second edition outdated in comparison to the later editions? This is the edition I have.</p>
<p>We use Stearns, and it’s really the only textbook I’ve ever loved. It keeps the material very interesting and relevant, and it also tries to use a non-white/non-Christian/non-male view of history. It also talks about some lesser-known parts of history (e.g., Africa before the Islamic conquests). I highly suggest it.</p>
<p>JFetrov- I think it’s a bit outdated in my opinion, but I haven’t taken a look at it myself. 3rd or 4th edition would be appropriate since they are more up-to-date.</p>
<p>I used Stearns for my AP class last year, and I didn’t like it. I think Barron’s is a good book if you really want to learn the details. But for the exam, I used Princeton Review. It presented the necessary details coherently, so I was able to connect ideas between time periods. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>PR really takes the cake on this one. In Barron’s, there’s a lot of unnecessary information, but it’s also not really that interesting. A textbook is preferable. </p>
<p>So:</p>
<p>Princeton Review
and/or
Textbook</p>
<p>Interesting revival of my thread…</p>
<p>If anyone cares to know, I ended up buying a $50 gently used copy of Stearns from AbeBooks.com. I’m chugging along, currently in Chapter Nine. </p>
<p>It’s no The American Pageant (my book for APUSH last year), but it’s not bad. I’m happy I got a textbook.</p>