IB Textbook Reviews
From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection
Contents |
[edit] Group 3
[edit] Economics
IB Economics Course Companion International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme by Ian Dorton and Jocelyn Blink, published by Oxford University Press (2007), ISBN: 978-0199151240. A must-have book for IB-Econonomics. It is concise, and one of its authors is the chief examiner at IB Economics. You can find analysis of past exams. It is for SL and HL. Very highly recommended!
Economics from a Global Perspective by A Glanville, published by Oxford: Glanville Books, (2003). A good textbook written especially for the IB diploma. Has clear easy to understand explanation of concepts but supplementary material may be needed since it lacks examples and great depth. Highly recommended
Economics -In terms of The Good, The Bad and The Economist by Matt McGee, published by IBID Press, (2005). A very detailed and thorough textbook written for the IB. Has broad and detailed coverage of concepts and examples. However it does not explain concepts clearly and is also overly verbose, with some irrelevant information.
Economics - 6th Edition by William Boyes and Michael Melvin, published by Houghton Mifflin, (2005). This economics textbook does a good job of covering most of the material but its relevance in terms of the IB Economics examinations is not entirely clear. However, if a general textbook is needed to learn economics, the Boyes/Melvin book makes an excellent resource.
[edit] Geography
Planet Geography by S Codrington [1] is an excellent textbook to read and is interesting for the avid geography student, including many photos and charts. It may suffer from not being focussed enough specifically on the IB curriculum, although this has been improved in later editions.
[edit] History
For both European and American HL history, the text Our Western Heritage is an excellent resource.
[edit] Group 4
[edit] Biology
Biology by NA Campbell published by Benjamin Cummins. 4th edition or higher is also an excellent textbook - self explanatory, covers much more than the IB requirements, helpful for reviewing and self studying as well. The most widely used biology textbook worldwide for high school and universities. Only downside is its price and weight, however definately worth it.
Biology for the IB Diploma by Allott, published by Oxford University Press (2001). An excellent summary of the course, but which will need to be augmented by your teacher over the two years. It provides brief and easy to understand explanations of concepts and information.
Biology for use with the IB Diploma (2001) Minka Peeters Weem, IBID Press. A useful textbook to refer to directly for statements relating to the IB syllabus. A very useful buy since it contains notes/explanations under every IB objective, so one can concisely study for the subject. Use this book preferable with a more comprehensive textbook as a reference alongside as well.
[edit] Chemistry
Chemistry for the IB Diploma by G Neuss, published by Oxford University Press (2001), ISBN 0199148074 An excellent summary of the course, but which will need to be augmented by your teacher over the two years. It provides brief and easy to understand explanations of concepts and information. It has a great section about the options. Each option is layed out very clearly. [OUP website]
Chemistry by S Damji & Green, 2nd edition published by IBID, ISBN 1876659416. A dedicated text for the IB Diploma. [IBID website]
- Be aware many of the answers to question are incorrect and/or would not be an adequate response to gain full marks in an IB exam. 58.160.145.69 (Anonymous IP address) 24 May 2008. On the other hand, the drawback with the new version is the lack of answers at the back of the book. 80.221.34.204 (Anonymous IP address) 6 March 2009. If your school uses the book, you should have the Student Guide, Chemistry for the IB Diploma. Henryh 6 March 2009
Chemistry in Context by G Hill & J Holmann, 5th edition published by Nelson Thornes. Primarily an A-level text, but with a guide to its coverage of IB topics. Thorough for SL, almost complete for HL; nothing for the Options, apparently. [Chemistry in Context website]
Advanced Chemistry (Advanced Science) by Michael Clugston and Rosalind Flemming (2000), ISBN: 978-0199146338. If you are a dedicated higher-level-chemistry student, the book makes many things more clear. It is not necessary, but it helped me a great deal in my studies. 80.221.34.204 (Anonymous IP address) 6 March 2009
[edit] Physics
Physics for the IB Diploma published by Oxford University Press (2001). An excellent summary of the course, but which will need to be augmented by your teacher over the two years. It provides brief and easy to understand explanations of concepts and information.
[edit] Group 5
[edit] Mathematics HL, SL and Further
Mathematics For The International Student: SL, Mathematics For The International Student: HL (Core) and Mathematics For The International Student: HL (Options) by Haese & Harris Publications. Full textbooks following the syllabus with exam-like review exercises at the end of each chapter. These three are excellant companions for IB Maths. Really. I mean it. Also, try the Exam Preparation & Practice Guides too. Get them [here]. They're a bit tough to get - you'll probably have to order them straight from the publisher - but it really is worth it.
- Disagree totally, a poorly set out text. Distinguishing between HL and SL material and questions is a difficult task. Difficult to follow with regards to the syllabus and to understand the concepts. Eg) normal distribution and standard distribution significance and over 300 pages apart - is there ANY common sense??? Harder HL questions often become tedious, ridiculous and nothing like what is expected in an exam. Quite frankly anything would be better.
- 58.160.145.69 (Anonymous IP address) 24 May 2008
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- Then suggest a book that is better then!
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- 212.251.133.223 (Anonymous IP address) 3 June 2008
Book:- How about the IBID book?
