What do you think?
Rate this book
Verbal Advantage: 10 Steps to a Powerful Vocabulary
First time in book form! A successful program for teaching 3,500 vocabulary words that successful people need to know, based on America's #1 bestselling audio vocabulary series.
"People judge you by the words you use." Millions of Americans know this phrase from radio and print advertising for the Verbal Advantage audio series, which has sold over 100,000 copies. Now this bestselling information is available for the first time in book form, in an easy-to-follow, graduated vocabulary building program that teaches an outstanding vocabulary in just ten steps.
Unlike other vocabulary books, Verbal Advantage provides a complete learning experience, with clear explanations of meanings, word histories, usages, pronunciation, and more. Far more than a cram session for a standardized test, the book is designed as a lifetime vocabulary builder, teaching a vocabulary shared by only the top percentage of Americans, with a proven method that helps the knowledge last.
A 10-step vocabulary program teaches 500 key words and 3,000 synonyms.
Lively, accessible writing from an expert author and radio personality.
"People judge you by the words you use." Millions of Americans know this phrase from radio and print advertising for the Verbal Advantage audio series, which has sold over 100,000 copies. Now this bestselling information is available for the first time in book form, in an easy-to-follow, graduated vocabulary building program that teaches an outstanding vocabulary in just ten steps.
Unlike other vocabulary books, Verbal Advantage provides a complete learning experience, with clear explanations of meanings, word histories, usages, pronunciation, and more. Far more than a cram session for a standardized test, the book is designed as a lifetime vocabulary builder, teaching a vocabulary shared by only the top percentage of Americans, with a proven method that helps the knowledge last.
A 10-step vocabulary program teaches 500 key words and 3,000 synonyms.
Lively, accessible writing from an expert author and radio personality.
459 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2000
220 people are currently reading
1304 people want to read
About the author
Charles Harrington Elster
44 books53 followersCharles Harrington Elster is a writer, broadcaster, and logophile—a lover of words.
He is the author and narrator of the audio vocabulary-building program Verbal Advantage and the book by the same name. His other books include Tooth and Nail and Test of Time, vocabulary-building novels for high school students preparing to take the college entrance exams; There's a Word for It, a lighthearted look at unusual—and unusually useful—words; and The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations, which William Safire of The New York Times hailed as "the best survey of the spoken field in years." In 2005 Harcourt published What in the Word? Wordplay, Word Lore, and Answers to Your Peskiest Questions About Language, and in 2006 Houghton Mifflin released the second edition of The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations, featuring nearly 200 new entries.
Charlie was pronunciation editor of the seventh and eighth editions of Black's Law Dictionary and a consultant for Garner's Modern American Usage. He is a guest contributor to the "On Language" column of The New York Times Magazine, and his articles have appeared in the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the San Diego Union-Tribune, and other publications.
Charlie has also been talking about language on the radio since 1985. He has been interviewed on NPR’s Talk of the Nation, Weekend Edition, and All Things Considered and been a guest on hundreds of radio shows around the country. For five and a half years he cohosted a weekly public radio talk show on language called A Way with Words.
Charlie was born in New York City in 1957 and earned his B.A. cum laude from Yale in 1981. He lives in San Diego with his wife and two daughters.
He is the author and narrator of the audio vocabulary-building program Verbal Advantage and the book by the same name. His other books include Tooth and Nail and Test of Time, vocabulary-building novels for high school students preparing to take the college entrance exams; There's a Word for It, a lighthearted look at unusual—and unusually useful—words; and The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations, which William Safire of The New York Times hailed as "the best survey of the spoken field in years." In 2005 Harcourt published What in the Word? Wordplay, Word Lore, and Answers to Your Peskiest Questions About Language, and in 2006 Houghton Mifflin released the second edition of The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations, featuring nearly 200 new entries.
Charlie was pronunciation editor of the seventh and eighth editions of Black's Law Dictionary and a consultant for Garner's Modern American Usage. He is a guest contributor to the "On Language" column of The New York Times Magazine, and his articles have appeared in the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, the San Diego Union-Tribune, and other publications.
Charlie has also been talking about language on the radio since 1985. He has been interviewed on NPR’s Talk of the Nation, Weekend Edition, and All Things Considered and been a guest on hundreds of radio shows around the country. For five and a half years he cohosted a weekly public radio talk show on language called A Way with Words.
Charlie was born in New York City in 1957 and earned his B.A. cum laude from Yale in 1981. He lives in San Diego with his wife and two daughters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 8, 2009
I own the paper version, the Kindle Version, and the entire audio set. Yes, I know that’s insane, but I put myself on a mission. Just as I build my body, I have challenged myself to build my vocabulary. Who knows where an increased vocabulary will take me, but I’m up to it! I’m actually excited about it. As Mr. Harrington Elster clearly put it, the importance of "read, repetition, review" will follow me along my journey. I seriously can’t be the same person. I’m sure how I read, write, think, and speak will change. I shall, however, not become altiloquent. I won’t accept that! (No way, no how.) Anyway, I have read the book before, and I shall read it and listen to it for as long as I live. Let’s see where that’ll take me.
November 3, 2009
One of the Best books that I have ever read. It took me 3 years to go through the whole thing.
November 8, 2010
A MUST READ for everyone. Everyone can benefit from an advanced vocabulary. I re-read this book at least twice a year.
February 17, 2009
Not really wanting to READ vocabulary. I like gaining it through context.
December 30, 2020
Let's be clear-this is a pretentious book. All books about language guidance, rules and advice are. I did not expect this to be an unpretentious book for the simple reason that they don't exist.
I read this book in a day, which is NOT advised. The only reason it worked for me (I think) was because most of the words were not new to me-as much as the author claimed we were "climbing a mountain" in our vocabulary. This book really helped solidify some murky words for me, that I know when I read them, but when asked to define I'm at a bit of a loss. At times, I felt the definitions were a bit lacking-not much effort was given to using the word in a sentence or explaining the part of speech, but for the most part, good context is provided. I found the definitions to mostly be more helpful in terms of usage than a dictionary would have been. There were a couple dozen totally new words to me-and these were all great words! Except, why was "chrysalis" included? How is that a winning word. It reminds me think of an old vocab test I took in school. Mostly new, challenging words, and then kayak-REALLY?
My most favorite part of the book are the essays that the author featured between word lists, or to begin or wrap up a lesson. There are about 5 word lists per lesson, each featuring 10 new words. I enjoyed the author's prose, even if I did, occasionally, find myself disagreeing with his more traditional viewpoint. I am a snob about language-and in that way, we are kindreds. He hit on all my pet peeves, and it was awesome, finally, my gripes had a voice! I was also gratified to find that I wasn't grossly mispronouncing too many words-some were pretty egregious though :( Some of the articles I only gave cursory review-especially the one recommending a reading habit of at least 6 books a year (this book is #45 for me). Others simply didn't apply.
I would definitely recommend this book to anybody looking to expand their vocabulary, the book is engaging and interactive, and really built to get you engaged. I will definitely be using this book to brush up on my vocabulary in years and months to come, in an effort to solidify some of the awesome words contained within this volume.
I read this book in a day, which is NOT advised. The only reason it worked for me (I think) was because most of the words were not new to me-as much as the author claimed we were "climbing a mountain" in our vocabulary. This book really helped solidify some murky words for me, that I know when I read them, but when asked to define I'm at a bit of a loss. At times, I felt the definitions were a bit lacking-not much effort was given to using the word in a sentence or explaining the part of speech, but for the most part, good context is provided. I found the definitions to mostly be more helpful in terms of usage than a dictionary would have been. There were a couple dozen totally new words to me-and these were all great words! Except, why was "chrysalis" included? How is that a winning word. It reminds me think of an old vocab test I took in school. Mostly new, challenging words, and then kayak-REALLY?
My most favorite part of the book are the essays that the author featured between word lists, or to begin or wrap up a lesson. There are about 5 word lists per lesson, each featuring 10 new words. I enjoyed the author's prose, even if I did, occasionally, find myself disagreeing with his more traditional viewpoint. I am a snob about language-and in that way, we are kindreds. He hit on all my pet peeves, and it was awesome, finally, my gripes had a voice! I was also gratified to find that I wasn't grossly mispronouncing too many words-some were pretty egregious though :( Some of the articles I only gave cursory review-especially the one recommending a reading habit of at least 6 books a year (this book is #45 for me). Others simply didn't apply.
I would definitely recommend this book to anybody looking to expand their vocabulary, the book is engaging and interactive, and really built to get you engaged. I will definitely be using this book to brush up on my vocabulary in years and months to come, in an effort to solidify some of the awesome words contained within this volume.
February 22, 2017
Great way to learn about the english language, how it works, and obviously loads of great words. My favorite part of this, though, is that I feel like my lifestyle change will be premanent. I am much better about writing down new words I look up, at being careful about pronunciation, and I know so many more root words that my comprehension has gone up dramatically.
Surprisingly, I found it to be funny, too. That one caught me by surprise.
Surprisingly, I found it to be funny, too. That one caught me by surprise.
September 24, 2011
This book is awesome. I did not always agree with Elster's opinions on words, especially their pronunciations and the subtle nuances of how to use them, but he taught me so much and showed me that I have been mispronouncing and misunderstanding some words for years without even realizing it. I loved this book and will read it again. It has to be among the best vocabulary builders out there.
Now if only I could remember all those words I read about . . .
Now if only I could remember all those words I read about . . .
October 18, 2009
very good book, recommend it highly to all adults.
May 10, 2021
50 quizzes. 12 tests.
Mean score: 83%
2nd read: Improvement.
Senility theory debunked. 🤪
Mean score: 83%
2nd read: Improvement.
Senility theory debunked. 🤪
July 6, 2017
A very good book to build your vocabulary. The author explains not only the meaning but also synonyms / antonyms and pronunciation. The thing I like it the most is, when you find a word that can exactly describe what you experienced or who you met in the past, it's hard that you don't remember it.
September 3, 2008
A great book for increasing your vocabulary. If you have kids that haven't taken the ACT this will increase their verbal skill
October 9, 2008
I want to learn vocabulary from this book . Furthermore I think
I can learn skill of reading from this book .
I can learn skill of reading from this book .
April 3, 2013
Should read, over and over and over and over... Only way to master.
February 24, 2015
I love words so I really loved this book. I wish he had mphasized word history a little more, but that is a minor quibble.
June 25, 2025
Here are the five main takeaways from Verbal Advantage: Ten Easy Steps to a Powerful Vocabulary by Charles Harrington Elster, based on its core principles and approach to vocabulary building:
1. Systematic Vocabulary Building: The book provides a structured, step-by-step program to expand vocabulary through ten progressive levels, starting with basic words and advancing to more sophisticated ones. Each level builds on the previous, ensuring a gradual and effective learning process.
2. Contextual Learning: Elster emphasizes learning words in context rather than rote memorization. The book includes example sentences, usage notes, and explanations of word origins (etymology) to help readers understand and retain meanings effectively.
3. Practical Application: The program encourages applying new words in everyday life, such as in conversations, writing, or reading, to reinforce learning. It includes quizzes, reviews, and exercises to test and solidify understanding.
4. Word Power Enhances Communication: A strong vocabulary improves clarity, persuasiveness, and confidence in communication. Elster highlights how precise word choice can enhance professional and personal interactions, making this a key motivator for readers.
5. Lifelong Learning Mindset: The book promotes a curiosity-driven approach to language, encouraging readers to continue exploring words beyond the program. It fosters an appreciation for the richness of English and the joy of mastering it.
These takeaways align with the book’s goal of making vocabulary acquisition accessible, engaging, and practical for personal growth.
1. Systematic Vocabulary Building: The book provides a structured, step-by-step program to expand vocabulary through ten progressive levels, starting with basic words and advancing to more sophisticated ones. Each level builds on the previous, ensuring a gradual and effective learning process.
2. Contextual Learning: Elster emphasizes learning words in context rather than rote memorization. The book includes example sentences, usage notes, and explanations of word origins (etymology) to help readers understand and retain meanings effectively.
3. Practical Application: The program encourages applying new words in everyday life, such as in conversations, writing, or reading, to reinforce learning. It includes quizzes, reviews, and exercises to test and solidify understanding.
4. Word Power Enhances Communication: A strong vocabulary improves clarity, persuasiveness, and confidence in communication. Elster highlights how precise word choice can enhance professional and personal interactions, making this a key motivator for readers.
5. Lifelong Learning Mindset: The book promotes a curiosity-driven approach to language, encouraging readers to continue exploring words beyond the program. It fosters an appreciation for the richness of English and the joy of mastering it.
These takeaways align with the book’s goal of making vocabulary acquisition accessible, engaging, and practical for personal growth.
November 24, 2020
One of the most engrossing books that I have ever read, not only in the realm of vocabulary and words but in general. I also listened to the audio version of the book, which I reckon it as one of my most pleasant experiences on audiobooks. Mr Harrington, is not only a versed wordsmith but also a possessor of a dulcet and sweet-sounding voice, a voice talent, and once you get your ears acquainted to his voice, You feel like you can't stop listening to it again and again, and I think that explains it why most commenters have said that they've read the book more than few times or they are going to read it once or twice in a year. also the writing style and witticism strewn through the book has made it one of the wittiest books on English vocabulary.
July 16, 2019
Excellent book. Took me a month to get throught it. A cursory read would've taken a lot less, but I highly recommend perusing this book with pen & paper at hand to thoroughly assimilate the cornucopia of esoteric words in your vocabulary.
Also, this isn't a book to be read once. I reckon I'll be coming back to it time and time again, whenever I sense a deterioration in my linguistic chops.
Also, I went from 44/100 on the pre-test to 94/100 in the post-test.
Also, this isn't a book to be read once. I reckon I'll be coming back to it time and time again, whenever I sense a deterioration in my linguistic chops.
Also, I went from 44/100 on the pre-test to 94/100 in the post-test.
August 14, 2020
I read only eight chapters of it. As an non-native speaker it was really helpful for me, while it is arduous to remember that much advanced keywords, when you get used to study and read outside of your specialty that would be easy too.
April 8, 2022
I find Elster to be eminently listen-able (I have listened to his audio version). He clearly knows his stuff, and it does sink in if you go over it more than once. Vocabulary is a huge part of good diction, and good diction can really distinguish a person i believe. And so does Mr. Elster.
August 13, 2018
Nice book, the author way of writing can mesmerise anyone.
August 21, 2019
Made my GRE preparation a lot easier.
September 1, 2019
Lacks categorizing based on topic
April 11, 2022
特地买了纸质书（还只能从国内买... 花了几天时间过了两遍 真第一次感受到背单词的快乐！很多单词的典故都很有意思，比如ostracize这个词来源是陶片放逐法；还有一个叫Bowlder的人把莎士比亚的著作给删减了，于是有了bowlderize这个词。
November 10, 2022
There's always room for vocabulary!
March 9, 2024
As a foreign language learner, the best part of reading this book is to see how those words I have marked in this book pop out in every English articles I read.
August 31, 2023
This book and audio set are just great. I used to think my English is good till one day I opend up the book and found that most of the words I don't understand. Then I started a daily listening routine while walking my dog for over 2 years. 10 or 20 words a day, over and over again and gradually I understand them all. Helps a lot when reading articles and novels. Highly recommend!
It's sequel, Word Wokout, is great too.
Rest in peace, Mr. Elster, thank you for everything. (Aug. 31, 2023)
It's sequel, Word Wokout, is great too.
Rest in peace, Mr. Elster, thank you for everything. (Aug. 31, 2023)
August 3, 2015
I enjoyed reading this book so much. The author nailed at letting us know how to distinguish between close synonyms and use different words properly according to the contexts. For me, it would be so great if I can look up every word that I'm unfamiliar with in a book (though it would be extremely thick) like this one.
October 2, 2018
Elster has a useful way for learning vocabulary: the vocabulary increases in complexity as one progresses and there are tests at the end of each chapter. He also has excerpts about the etymology of each word. I'd recommend this to anyone.
February 20, 2008
This book is a must have. I read at least a page everyday, and I will continue to reread this book. It's a great way to expand your vocabulary and learn proper pronunciation and usage of words.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews