These two books are the most notorious prep books for the AP US History exam on College Confidential forums. I have read far too many reviews and opinions of these two textbooks on College Confidential, so why not summarize, compare, and contrast the two?</p>
Direct Hits US History in a Flash: for the AP and SAT II
- This 348-page textbook seems like an appropriate choice for a concise overview on key concepts covered throughout a typical APUSH course. Though, from what I have heard, using this as a primary textbook doesn’t seem wise, as it might not cover history in enough depth and detail.</p>
(AMSCO) United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination
- This 768-page textbook is intimidating, to say the least, but if one has enough time, it should suffice as an alternative APUSH textbook.</p>
Would you agree? Disagree? Chip in your two cents if you’ve used these textbooks. On a side note, these two are a bit pricey on Amazon, so I’m not sure where to buy them. Any suggestions?</p>
Edit: Someone found the latest version of AMSCO and its review question answers online. Cheers to technology. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/history-social-sciences/1233793-amsco-apush-needs-sticky-somewhere.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/history-social-sciences/1233793-amsco-apush-needs-sticky-somewhere.html</a></p>
I would say read AMSCO twice and then DH as a review a week before the exams.</p>
Gahh now I don’t know if DH is really good or not. Some ppl say it destroyed the mc exam! And some now say its too concise???</p>
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DH morphed into AP US History: The Essential Content. I bought a copy on Amazon for $16.95. I like the book a lot. I also wanted to buy the Amsco book so I would have both. I searched on Amazon and couldn’t find it. Apparently it is no longer available.</p>
I bought the AMSCO book directly from the company’s website. It shipped very quickly, and it’s cheaper than Amazon. [Product</a> Information](<a href=“http://amsco.extendsales.com/AMSCOPUB/control/productdetails?&item_id=9781567656602]Product”>http://amsco.extendsales.com/AMSCOPUB/control/productdetails?&item_id=9781567656602)</p>
I’ve been using AMSCO as my main study book, and it’s doing a pretty good job. My class is very behind, so I’ve been pretty much self-studying. It is very thorough and can be dull at times, but when you compare it to a full-scale textbook it’s not that bad! I find that defining all the terms provided at the end of each chapter is very helpful, along with completing (or at least looking at) the four standard essay prompts for each chapter. There are about 10 DBQs and each chapter has primary documents to read. I also like how it has a “historical perspectives section” that gives historians’ takes on events through the years. Oh and there’s multiple choice sections and a practice exam.</p>
I really recommend it if you have the time. Just don’t get it for cramming the night before. The length of it will just freak you out. I don’t have experience with the Direct Hits, but I’m planning to get it in a couple weeks for a quick review.</p>
^Thank you! So here is what I am doing. Using The Essential Content as my primary review book. Using the AMSCO free online site for supplemental information. This is working out really well.</p>
^why wouldn’t you use DH? That book is brand new and you don’t know how it will fare on the AP exam. DH has brought many many people success. </p>
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DH is overpriced, no longer publishes. I also got the new book and am hesitant, but I hope it’s as good as the old DH book. I have amsco also, but idk if I’ll have the time for it…</p>
The new DH Book (US History: Essential Content) is supposed to have all the same information as the old DH plus more.</p>