Barron's Pocket Guide to Vocabulary (Barron's Pocket Guides)

I bought the Barrons Pocket Vocabulary guide thinking it was a learning large paperback book. It's more for somebody who does not know English and is on trip to US. It was not what it appeared to be in sales section. I am not pleased.

The same as good as when I had used it as young.

Very Good Book Of Vocabulary!!!!!

This little book is of great help for both test prep and daily survival.

Has a lot of vocabs but there aren't any examples. Quick for learning the definition.

I bought this book to improve my vocabulary, period. I hope to improve my chances at writing fiction, albeit a lofty, daunting ambition. This book may not have all words you'll need, so a regular thick backup dictionary is advisable. This book certainly presents a myriad of words likely to be quite helpful, whether reading or writing. I hope to take a course in creative writing when I finally finish this book. I am well over half way through it, so luck favors the prepared mind. This book would also help with the SAT, and legal terms, as the preface suggests. One thing I did like about this vocab. book is that they give anecdotal examples and you will likely learn something just by reading them and paying attention. Like for instance... at the vernal equinox, rain is quite likely. Okay, that's a bit lame, but there's others as well. That's just the one that came to mind.There were at least a few words that I disagreed with the book's definition.Irksome was one. book's definition was boring, repetitive. But Webster's it annoying, bothersome.Libido was the other one. book's definition was emotional urges behind human activity. But Webster's was sex drive, and I think that is what most people associate (Freudian slip) with libido.I believe there was another word I disagreed with, but I didnt bother at the time thinking, what's one word.This is still an excellent reference because it will improve your vocabulary and having a powerful mental lexicon is prima facie evidence of an educated person. Enough said.

If you are looking to build a writing vocabulary this would be the book to buy. Most other vocabulary books are intermixed with a special set of words or bombarded with the author's interpretation on how to build your own vocabulary. But for the most part, people who are looking to expand their writing vocabulary already have a coup on how they want to expand their vocabulary and are just looking for the words to do so. This book allows that to happen. With 3,000 perfect vocabulary words, this is a quintessential book for anyone who is trying to expand their writing vocabulary.**Warning**Don't buy this book if you are looking to expand your reading vocabulary. Reading definitions won't help you expand your vocabulary-it's a very inactive form of understanding. Try "Word Power Made Easy" by Normal Lewis or read the classics which are laden with great words. (If the classics aren't your thing, try Asimov's Foundation Series, it's a fun read and chalk full of great vocabulary words.) If you love looking up definitions or looking for an easier way to expand your vocabulary; think about buying Merriam-Webster's speaking dictionary (mws-1840.)

英検1級の単語は完璧にマスターしたのに、小説、新聞等を読むと知らない単語が結構あると感じる人も多いと思います。要するに、英検1級でもネイティブの中学生か良くても高校生程度の単語しか基本的にはカバーしていないのです。この本は、一般のネイティブレベルにまで一気に力を伸ばしてくれます。私も、スラングを除けば、小説、新聞等を読む際、知らない単語に出会うことが一気に減りました。

I think it is a little bit difficult for people like me as English as second language