IB Textbook Reviews
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[edit] Group 3
[edit] Economics
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 Recconmended
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 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. Do not use this book as your only source of information as it does not go into very much detail in some parts, but 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 the one stated above (Andrew Allot's book) and perhaps a more comprehensive textbook as a reference alongside as well(I use the Campbell one above, but any A Level textbook that covers all specifications are ok 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]
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]
[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.
