<p>I'm self-studying AP U.S. Gov and Politics this year. What would the best textbook for this course be? I've found a list online (AP</a> United States Government & Politics: Example Textbook List) but I have no idea which one I should get. Does anyone who has taken the class before know which textbook would help me the best? Any suggestions are welcome. (:</p>
<p>I’m also self-studying this course next year!
Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy is the course my school uses, so I’ll probably just use that!</p>
<p>Awesome! Any ideas on how useful this textbook is compared to others?</p>
<p>Also, if anyone has any tips or comments on the U.S. Gov course in general that they want to share, that would be great. For example, I’ve heard that this is a difficult exam to score a 5 on if you don’t have prior knowledge on Gov and Politics. Is this true?</p>
<p>not sure about a textbook for self-study, but for a prep book, get Barron’s.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how hard it is for someone who knows little about government, but as someone who’s been following politics since I was old enough to understand it, I found most of it to be common sense, and flipping through REA’s crash course was enough for me to self-study for the AP. So it might be easier than you think, though I’m not sure how hard it would be for someone without any previous knowledge. I would assume that any of the main prep books (Barrons, Princeton Review, 5 steps to a 5) would be good enough to help you understand all the concepts and prepare you for the test.</p>
<p>I’m definitely going to be getting Barron’s! I’ve heard the Princeton Review book is not that great, but I’ll also make sure to look into 5 Steps for a 5.</p>
<p>I’ve interested in politics (which is why I want to study this course, haha) but I haven’t been following it that intently. I know the basics, but other than that, I’m lost. So I think the textbook will be helpful. But I’ve heard that the percentage of students who receive a 5 is low (around 8%) compared to the other AP exams. But I think I’ll be fine if I review the textbook and the prep books, yeah?</p>
<p>One more thing. Does anyone here use The Lanahan Readings? Is it a supplemental text or a main text? Also, does anyone know how useful the American Government: Power and Purpose is?</p>
<p>From what I hear, Barron’s AP US Government and maybe even REA Crash Course for AP US Gov’t should more than suffice if you’re self-studying.</p>
<p>But anyway, my school’s AP US Gov’t class uses: Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy (by Edwards, George C., Robert L. Lineberry, and Martin P. Wattenberg). I skimmed through it once, and it seemed pretty straightforward and clear.</p>
<p>I’m using American Government: Power and Purpose. It was what my counselor recommended. And I’m definitely getting Barron’s and I thiiink 5 steps to a 5! It still hasn’t come in the mail yet, but hopefully I can start soon.</p>
<p>5 steps to a Five worked out really well for me, but I was taking the class at the same time.</p>
<p>I only read the Crash Course (REA) book for US Government & Politics the week before and managed a 5. I’d highly recommend their book- it’s short, too (less than 200 pages if I remember correctly)</p>
<p>Don’t bother with a textbook… it’ll just waste time and $$$</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help 
I’m currently reviewing Barron’s. I’ll probably take a look at both REA and 5 Steps to a 5 before the exam.</p>