I bought this book at Borders a week before my AP European History Exam, because I desperately needed to cram in all the material I had learned that year. It covers the material I learned quite well. I found that the Multiple Choice practice tests included in the book were much simpler than the actual exam. The example essays provided are also really lengthy, which isn't realistic when you're trying to write three essays in 2 hours. Overall it's great as a smashed down version of a textbook so it's easy to review information.
As I am sitting here, trying to study for an AP Euro midterm tomorrow, I was shocked to find that this book misses HUGE points in European History. The political changes of Monarch for 40 years is completely left out of the book! How can such a reputable company publish a book that overlooks major points of history? Do not buy this book. I am now screwed because my Bookstore is closed and our school textbook is impossible to read. Thank you Cliffsnotes for most likely making me fail my AP Euro midterm exam.
Book is a text book for some type of school. Relates little to past history of Europe. Doesn't belong in the category of "European History. I should not have bought it and threw it away.
I became familiar with all three major books on this subject while studying (Cliffs, Princeton Review, & Kaplan) and this one is the worst. Its 2002 publication date is fatally old for a book that is supposed to cover a constantly morphing test, and most importantly, the practice exams in the back are WAY too easy.
The summaries are good, but for your money, you might as well get one of the other two, since they have better practice tests. Princeton did it for me personally; they also have a good breakdown of how you need to take the test itself.
I implore you not to waste your money here, at least until they publish an updated version.
I used this book as my main study guide for the AP European history test in 2008 and I got a 5! It is truly the single best review book out there. I also owned Baarons, REA, and princeton review, but this was the best one information wise. REA is way to long and alot of the information is very very unnecessary and too detailed. Baarons is to brief and has to little detail. Princeton was pretty good but not as good as Cliffs. Cliffs has the best review. The review covers pretty much everything and in a good amount of detail. Just to let you know, the practice tests in cliffs book are horrible and princeton has the best practice tests so use theirs. Anyway, if you only have enough time for 1 book use cliffs and if u are really dedicated Princeton is also pretty good so read that as well for a second perspective. But I would recommend to read princeton only if you have read cliffs at least 3-4 times if not, just stick with cliffs and it will really help you. Good Luck!
(39 customer reviews)