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Verbal Advantage, Volume 8 (Verbal Advantage)
Book Summary InformationReader: Charles Harrington Elster Edition: Audio Cassette Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published) Format: Abridged, Audiobook Published: 2000-05-19 ISBN: 1559275952 Publisher: Macmillan Audio Accessories:
Book Reviews of Verbal Advantage, Volume 8 (Verbal Advantage)Book Review: Don't bother with this ABRIDGED edition. But DO get either the UNABRIDGED edition AND/OR the competing "WordMaster" product! Summary: 1 StarsThe original, UNABRIDGED [24-cassette (or 24-CD)] edition of Charles Harrington Elster's "Verbal Advantage" existed at least as early as 1995. It was--and still is--arguably the finest vocabulary-improvement product ever issued for mass-market consumption.
HOWEVER, starting around 1998 a drastically inferior ABRIDGED edition of "Verbal Advantage" was unfortunately (and confusingly) published by "Audio Renaissance" in various "volumes" of cassette tapes.
These "abridged" volumes are inferior on at least two counts:
(1) They contain significantly fewer words than the original (unabridged) edition, which, by the way, is still being separately marketed as the Verbal Advantage "Success Edition".
(2) Along with the (abridged!) vocabulary itself, these Audio Renaissance tapes contain some protracted (and, mercifully, "exclusive") introductory/intervening "supplementary discussions" that are, in the first place, arguably somewhat superfluous to the primary objective of vocabulary improvement; and--even more irritatingly--the identical "supplementary discussions" are REPEATED on subsequent tapes/volumes in this (abridged) "Audio Renaissance" series. Considering that much time is taken up by those superfluous discussions, there isn't that much space left on any given tape for the actual vocabulary; hence, these "Audio Renaissance" tapes are INDEED "abridged"!
Moreover, if you'll want to SKIP past those redundant "supplementary discussion" segments of the tapes directly to the segments comprising the actual "vocabulary" (and, trust me, you WILL soon want to!), then you'll have the continual hassle of repeatedly fast-forwarding (or rewinding) a given tape to get to the (abridged!) "good stuff".
Accordingly, why bother with any of these "Audio Renaissance" (abridged) Verbal Advantage tapes? Instead, you should do one (or, if you can afford it, all) of the following three things:
(1) Get the REAL THING, i.e, the "Verbal Advantage 'Success Edition'" (comprising 24 CDs or 24 cassettes). That product's ISBN number is: 1131987233. Unfortunately, the unabridged edition is VERY expensive.
(2) Get the following competing product by Denis Waitley: "WordMaster" (comprising 9 CDs). That product's ISBN number is: 1596590289. And it's downright cheap (typically less than twenty bucks).
(3) Consider the (459-page paperback) BOOK edition of "Verbal Advantage" (ISBN: 0375709320), published by Random House. Albeit the book edition is, thankfully, unabridged, I must emphasize that merely reading the text of Elster's discussion is nowhere near as gratifying or effective as experiencing his original audio edition (i.e., the aforementioned "Verbal Advantage 'Success Edition'")!
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P.S.: Regarding other "vocabulary-improvement" products, I very much like the "Word Smart" series of CD-ROMs (compatible with both Windows and Macintosh computers). The various volumes (CD-ROMs) comprising that versatile, multimedia product amount to yet another treasure-trove of vocabulary/linguistic edification and amusement, so do yourself a favor and check it out--either directly via its publisher, or perhaps via your public library.
Summary of Verbal Advantage, Volume 8 (Verbal Advantage)A strong command of the English language is directly linked to career advancement, your income, your social status, and success. Now, by mastering Volume 7 and Volume 8 of the Verbal Advantage program, you'll continue the journey that will lead you to joining the elite segment of society that enjoys the highest levels of professional and personal achievement. By adding new words to your vocabulary, you'll win the admiration of friends, peers, and colleagues. You'll come to possess the word power you previously envied in others. You'll forever stop fumbling for words, using them incorrectly, failing to understand, or, perhaps worst of all, remaining silent. With Verbal Advantage you will never again be at a loss for words, for you will: Add hundreds of new power words to your vocabulary. Develop clarity and variety in your speech. Learn how to correctly pronounce the most difficult words. Be certain you are using the right words every time. Learn effortlessly without classroom study or written tests. Obtain the key ingredient to personal and professional success. Verbal Advantage has been the top-selling vocabulary program in the world since 1985. A major benefit of the series is that listeners can pick up any volume, and begin the program in no particular order, to gain from Verbal Advantage. It's perfect for every age and occupation, including public speakers, business-people, students - and you! Start now and develop the confidence that comes with real word power, whether in business, school, or everyday conversation.
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