I thought having a book that had a cross reference of Minkus and Scott stamp catalog numbers would be great. After using the Krause-Minkus Standard I have my doubts that this catalog is all that useful. I had problems with several sections of stamps not being listed and many listed incorrectly. Several stamp pictures were swapped around and several have the same Scott catalog numbers even when the denominations were different. As I said it was a good attempt at combining the two different publications into a single catalog but I feel that more time should have been taken to edit and proof the work prior to publishing. I think that if Krause-Minkus were to provide a credit to those that had purchased the 1998 edition it will keep some collects using the Krause numbers. I for one would ask for a refund or a replacement 1999 catalog.

If you want to get a higher score on your ACT DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!!!

Unlike its other successes in the realm of AP Exams and subject testing, Barron's has FAILED MISERABLY in its attempt to provide students with a clear-cut, accurate study guide to the ACT. Instead, they published a morass of page-long explainations to problems that never even appear on the ACT. One would think that just from the sheer size of the book that it would contain at least some merit but I have not found one thing in this so-called study guide that has been clearly explained or accurately presented. Unfortunately, frustrated students usually give up on studying for the ACT altogether rather than attempting to improve their score by using another book. (I know--I've worked in college admissions for almost five years and have seen it happen repeatedly.)

Those attempting to get into a university should look elsewhere for a good Study Guide for the ACT (ARCO and The Princeton Review are what I use with my own students). But, if you want confusing and verbose explainations to obsure "example problems" then consult Barron's. They will not disappoint you. Tracey K. Hempe