Anybody who has taken APUSH

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>As part of the summer assignment, I'm supposed to read two out of the following books:</p>

<p>Freedom Road by Howard Fast</p>

<p>Slaves in the Family by Edward Ball</p>

<p>Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis</p>

<p>In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick</p>

<p>A Midwife's Take: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812 by Laurel Ulrich</p>

<p>Andrew Jackson and his Indian Wars by Robert Remini</p>

<p>The Approaching Fury: Voices of the Storm 1820-1861 by Stephen Oates</p>

<p>1776 by David McCullough</p>

<p>If you had to choose two of them, which books would you say help prepare you for the course to the greatest extent? Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I've only read Founding Brothers, and I doubt its the most helpful book. Ellis spends a whole chapter each on the Duel, the compromise for the capitol, which I didn't fight too important in the big picture. It does cover Washington's Farewell Address which is important, but hardly worth reading a whole book for. </p>

<p>The thing that is helpful with this book is you can understand Federalist vs. DR's.</p>

3

<p>1776 by David McCullough.</p>

<p>great, great book. You will not be disappointed.</p>

4

<p>though i have not read any of them (seriously, they probably wouldn't help significantly), it seems the one concerning Jackson and the Native Americans might be most helpful. in recent years there has been rumor that a DBQ on the natives might show up, but that hasn't happened yet. so, might the DBQ (or any other free-response question for that matter) for next year be on the natives? more likely than any other topic, i would think</p>

5

<p>Sad thing is, you can get by just fine (getting a 5) without reading any of those.</p>

6

<p>"Sad thing is, you can get by just fine (getting a 5) without reading any of those."</p>

<p>Absolutely. I didn't even read my textbook and I got a 5.</p>

7

<p>You people act like getting a "5" is the ultimate goal of learning about U.S. History.</p>

<p>1776 is a great book, I'd highly recommend it.</p>

8

<p>I had to read Founding Brothers over summer, and it wasn't too great of a book, in my view. I haven't read any of those other books so I can't give you too much help over there. Just read the amazon reviews if you want to choose between books, that's what I do. :P</p>

9

<p>read them all. you need to know it all.</p>

10

<p>Thanks for all your replies (except asdfjkl1's) haha. I actually just found out that it's optional. I'm thinking of reading A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn. Has anyone read it?</p>

11

<p>I haven't read it, but a friend has and he loved it.
And as a history non-lover, my goal was to do well on the exam to make my teacher (sweetest man you'd ever meet) happy. I read the textbook (except maybe a chapter or two) and although I thought that I did terribly, I got a 5 on the exam. So for some people, classes ARE just to do well..and sometimes, it's okay. You don't have to love every subject.</p>

12

<p>yes, i have read it
excellent essay prep b/c every chapter has thesis/point not just factual information
however, he hates on EVERY political figure ever and is EXTERMELY liberal. im pretty liberal too, so i didnt mind but my friends hated this man with all his heart. but basically makes the entire US history seem fradulent and corrupt.</p>

13

<p>Zinn is pretty liberal. Not everything is accurate.</p>

<p>1776 is a great read.</p>

14

<p>My school didn't have summer assignments for APUSH.
However, My APUSH teacher loved 1776. I heard Team of Rivals is also a good book..it's about 800 pages paperback, but it's definitely worth it.</p>

15

<p>I think Zinn is a pretty important person to read, he might not be totally "accurate" all the time but his view of history is a valuable one.</p>

16

<p>None of those books are necessary. All you need is Brinkley and the American Pageant. Believe me, I got a 5 on AP US, and the most important thing is to know historical information, not read novels about history. However, if I had to choose...Jackson and the Fury.</p>

<p>Jacksonian Democracy is a hot topic on the exam. This book will give you a better understanding of those concepts.</p>

<p>Also, the antebellum years are very important and somewhat confusing. The Fury will probably help with that.</p>

17

<p>Definitely go with the one by Oates --great writer</p>

<p>Also, I found Jackson a pretty interesting president so I would read about him</p>

18

<p>abt zinn, hes a good use on essay writing
got me a 5</p>

19

<p>Omggg Do Not Read Approaching Fury!!!</p>

20

<p>I didn't get any reading assignment from APUSH and I finished the course this year....did everyone else get a summer reading before they started the course?</p>