The SAT Subject Tests are generally over by now, but by the start of the year 2009 - 2010 there will again be many people who will be interested in purchasing this again.
Content Advantages
Like any other review book, Barron's offers a review section and a practice exam section. The content is very in depth to the point that I think it is too in depth for those who don't want any overkill. This probably should go into the disadvantages section. However, it is important to know that this depth does in fact appear in some of the most "random" of questions on the SAT II, and this depth and precision is probably something that other study guides lack.
Important key terms are bolded and the review section is ordered chronologically by president, listing the major accomplishments that each of them did.
Content Disvantages
Unfortunately, this book also contains huge paragraphs. That is, paragraph after paragraph of information, half of which you are much better off not knowing. It is literally like a textbook ... only, without the metaphors in The American Pageant and largely with descriptions that are understandable to the average highschooler.
With any US History exam however, the themes throughout history are also emphasized. This book unfortunately focuses too much on the facts and not the themes, and this is a setback that does not bode well for those who cannot catch on "themes" unless they are explicitly mentioned.
Having said that, this does apply to most other review guides -- unfortunately, this book has given me the impression that is has a worse case of not emphasizing connections between events.
The Practice Tests
One significant advantage to this book is that it has a total of 8 practice tests. This is the practice that you want to get so you know what to expect in the SAT Subject II!
In the cases of Kaplan for example, even though their practice tests are relatively easy, for the several questions that stand out, that is one more thing you'll know to avoid on the actual test -- practice makes perfect.
HOWEVER, there is always the element of "time" and energy that we want to focus on. Are these practice tests good? Well, truth be told: Barron's practice tests are harder than the actual thing. This is coming from me who just took my first (?) SAT II for US History not hours ago.
It is harder than the actual thing -- that's not saying that it's testing things that will hardly ever appear up -- it's testing things that will seldom come up.
It does have a nice emphasis on themes that makes up for its content however.
Final Recommendations
USE this book for its practice tests. Its juicy collection of 8 practice tests with great explanations, in my opinion.
If you're going to use this book for review, you might as well buy a textbook with highlighted key terms and a relatively more organized way of showing what each president has done in his term.
If you have the time, PRACTICE with this book!
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