Barron's AP World History

by John McCannon

With this fully revised and updated guide, students will receive in-depth preparation for the NEW AP World History exam being administered for the first time in May of 2017. This must-have manual

Genres: School, Reference, History, Read For School, Nonfiction

504 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2008

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book. Literally. From front to back. All 504 pages.

I feel the need to review this because I read it like I would have read any other book - except for annotating, taking the practice tests, etc. I was enrolled in AP World History from 2010-2011, got an A in the course, and received a 5 on the exam (I'm not bragging, just including the information so people know where I'm coming from).

This review book is lengthy. It's sort of like a second textbook. There is a lot of specific information that didn't show up on the exam, and some random facts I didn't even learn in my AP World History class itself. The sheer depth of the material in this book is its only major downside.

However, in contrast to the the saying "less is more", it's probably better to know more facts (even if some of them are unnecessary) than not enough facts for the AP exam. If you're crunched for time you can always skim the chapter overviews which provide a decent summary of the information in each section.

The practice tests in the back of the book are helpful as well. After completing each test, I went back and annotated every question I got wrong. There are also practice essays you can write.

A lot of people ask whether to buy this book or Princeton Review. From what I've gathered through my friends who used Princeton and my personal experience with Barron's, it seems that Princeton is more concise while Barron's is more verbose. Some of my friends complained that Princeton was too streamlined and didn't have practice essays (not sure if that's true though), while others niggled that Barron's had too much to get through.

I know people who got 5's using Barron's, and I know people who got 5's using Princeton. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference, and the fact that you're utilizing the review book to study is already a good sign.

*cross-posted from my blog, the quiet voice.

[Zlikespasta · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book cannot teach you the entirety of the AP World History course, it is a good review tool. The practice tests do a good job of reflecting the exam's question format, and the book condenses the vast amount of information WHAP presents into easy-to-digest sections. My one criticism is that the book doesn't present review questions after every segment the way some of the other AP prep books from this publisher do. That would be a big help. Overall though, this book will only help you.

[Brett Herman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As boring as this book was, I learned the material and feel pretty confident for tomorrow's AP exam. Wish me luck!

[Kate Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The practice test questions are a little too easy and more document based rather than content based. Though the information itself was very helpful.

[Adam Wilsman]

The exam takes 3 hours and 5 minutes.
55 minutes to complete 70 multiple choice questions
130 minutes to complete 3 essays
DBQ
Continuity and Change Over Time
Comparative

Half of the grade is derived from the multiple choice
Half of the grade is derived from the essays (each of which is out of 9 points)

Six time frames
to 600 BCE (only 5% of multiple choice)
600 BCE to 600 CE (15)
600 to 1450 (20)
1450 to 1750 (20)
1750 to 1900 (20)
1900 to present (20)

Five themes
State building, expansion, and conflict
Development and interaction of cultures
Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems
Development and transformation of social structures
Interaction between humans and the environment

Europe is no more than 20% of exam.

Skills emphasized:
1. Argumentation
2. Use of evidence
3. Causation
4. Continuity and change over time
5. Periodization
6. Comparison
7. Contextualization
8. Interpretation
9. Synthesis

For essays, the introduction should just be a thesis statement.


Unit One:

Regions with which to be familiar: Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia. Frequent references to Eurasia and Afro-Eurasia.

"Be sure to acquaint yourselves with key rivers and bodies of water."

Stone Age: split into Paleolithic (2.5 million years ago to 10,000 years ago) and Neolithic (beginning around 8000 BCE). Neolithic happened after end of ice ages.

Neolithic Era gives way to the Bronze Age: 3500-1200 BCE. Then the Iron Age.

Core/Foundational societies: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus River valley, and Shang China, Olmecs and the Chavin.

In Mesopotamia, Sumerians are particularly important. Later, Hittites are among the first to use iron weapons. Assyrians later ruled one of the world's first empires.

Egypt: Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom

Huang He = Yellow River. Dynasties from 1700s BCE to 1911 CE. Bedrock is Shang dynasty.

Olmecs a "mother civilization" in Mesoamerica. Arose between 1400 and 1200 BCE. No river system nearby.

Most noteworthy Andean civilization was the Chavin. Emerged around 1000 BCE.

Also worth knowing Nubians, Hebrews, Minoans, Greeks and Romans, Phoenicians, Aryans.

During this era: Vedism, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism are most influential early religions. Zoro thought to be influential for Judaic and Christian doctrines.

Unit Two: Classical Era

First section talks in detail about early religions (except Islam). Second section talks in detail about Classical Empire with a focus on their major characteristics and their falls.

Unit Three: Post-Classical world.

[Seth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Try reading a text book style History book in two weeks. Its laborious to say the least. However, John McCannon writes smoothly through the course of 12,000 years of human history in under 500 pages. It has been an incredibly meaningful experience to view so much of history so quickly. I don't know if the AP History Exam places special emphasis on or if it is a result of the author's hypersensitivity. Each section places particular attention on the role's of women. Whether the author is justly righting the wrong of the traditional historical perspective, or if the Exam itself is, the continuous reminder of women's roles in each chapter was obnoxious because they were the least informative about the period. They were likely the most speculative. For example, The Stone Age chapter is difficult enough to write because the only durable relics that survived that period are the stone tools. Therefore, in order to make sure we are looking at History from a pro female point of view the author doubles his efforts to explain that hunter gatherer societies were likely more equal because of the labor roles were unspecialized and everyone did the same kind of work. He fails to continue his imaginations 12,000 year leap backward into that kind of life for women in any other way. Were they less likely to be used as sex objects? Did they prefer their equal work conditions? That kind of overemphasis on women studies in History is undesirable because it strays from the discipline of History and enters into ethics.

The book was a great experience and invaluable condensed version of History. I am reading a Kaplan AP History edition currently and it doesn't read as smoothly. No emphasis on women though so it offsets the lower quality writing.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, what a wonderful overview. I can honestly say that I do believe that my many (MANY) hours spent in bed with this book, a couple of pencils (if you keep two with you, you can alternate every twenty pages and spend half the time sharpening. Or, if you want more breaks, use only one. Three takes too long), and a notebook. The notes taken are far too extensive, but for use on the AP World exam, it is most definitely suggested that you marry yourself to this book for two-three weeks before the exam. Cramming for the win.

[Nathan Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very glad I got this book to study for my AP World class. It gives all the needed information for the AP exam, and is very good to study along with the textbook. Although there is a bit of unneeded information also, it is very helpful and organized. I would recommend this study book to anyone taking AP World History.

[Jia Jia]

Reading it for my AP exam.... I'll rate with after I take the exam. =]

[Hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haha. Studying for the AP World History test this Thursday!! I am sooooo nervous!!!

[Greta]

It focused a lot more on the America's than my class text.