The Complete Idiot's Guide to a Smart Vocabulary

by Paul McFedries

Defines over 1,000 words in subject areas such as people, computers, business, law, culture, and government, as well as foreign terms and new words.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0028639979
• ISBN13: 9780028639970
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.2" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

a good guide for non-native English speakers

Though I doubt it would contribute much to native English speakers, the book is a true gem for a person like me who only recently moved to an English speaker country. It is humorously written and well presented. It is loaded with all-you-need-know about the words that will ease you into an English-speaking life. I recommend it to any non-native English speakers who are keen to construct a useful and usable vocab.

Good for life, not very useful for standart tests

As the date for my GRE and MCAT test approaches, I needed a book to increase my vocabulary for the verbal section (specially for the MCAT where vocabulary section is very tough) so I borrowed this book from a local library... the reading is very appealing: each vocabulary list are classified under a general topic, interesting and curious facts about the words are provided. However, I do not find it very useful for graduate examinations test since it devotes many sections to computer jargoon which obviously do not appear in the GRE. Yet for real life, I think it is useful since many words are used; moreover, one featured that I loved is that it presents English idioms... this is specially useful for people whom English is their second language such as moi

The most thought provoking vocabulary book I ever read . . .

If you enjoy words, love reading, and are naturally curious about meaning, this book is bound to become one of your all time favorites. I borrowed a copy from the library twice before realizing I'll be coming back to this book forever so I bought my own copy. It takes today's most relevant words and injects a stimulating and compelling reason for learning them. To summarize this book in one word "fascinating", to summarize in two words "must have." Jay Myers 2-23-03