This was a book that I dreaded to read for a college class. I opened it and stared at the cover with dread. However, I was very surprised to find that it was easy to understand and even.....interesting? Yes, I admit, I fell in love with the subject of genetics by reading this book. It had real world applications and provided many sample questions. The pictures were great and a perfect addition to the entire book. I really enjoyed this book.

As a undergrad at Harvard who took Prof Hartl's intro genetics class (in which we used this textbook), I can tell you that this encompasses all the information we covered in a semester-legnth class. What you miss out on, however, is Prof Hartl's funny, engaging teaching style and graphically complex computer demos. That said I learned (both from class and this book) why female cats' fur can be calico and other interesting applications of genetics. In the age of the Human Genome Project, basic genetics knowledge is crucial, and this book is a great intro to the topic.

I hate memorizing lists of words and their respective definitions. Even though they have one or two sentences to show you how they are used. My favorite method is to read them in context. This will probably only be done by reading copiously. Reading the Princeton word (Junior) was fantastic. I wish they could make one like that, but at a higher level. The Junior book had great cute stories and the most amount of new word learning anyone can have from reading so little.

Yes, alliteration was intended. Robert Jackson has been predisposed to a myriad of vocabulary books. I can vociferously divulge(alliteration intended again) that Word Smart II proves to be a most resplendent addition to my extensive bookshelf. Needless to say, I skipped Word Smart I due to its insipid vacuousness. Unless you are an ingrate neophyte, I highly suggest you do the same.

All other vocab books induce an incendiary, and seemingly ineluctable, grandiose sense of malaise, or ennui, if you will.
I scored a 99 Percentile on my SAT Verbal - that's 790 for you incorrigible philistine heathens. If you value your vocabulary prowess, I entreat you to procure this erudite and quintessential book for yourself. I cannot underscore this enough. It is demonstrably incumbent upon you to do so - unless cultivation is anathema to your morbid proletariat existence.

The WordSmart series is excellent. I worked through WordSmart I and then I worked through this book. I can use more words and I can use words better since studying WordSmart II.