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Verbal Advantage: 10 Steps to a Powerful Vocabulary First Edition

by Charles Harrington Elster (Author)

411 ratings

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First time in book form! A successful program for teaching 3,500 vocabulary words that successful people need to know, based on America's #1 bestselling audio vocabulary series.

"People judge you by the words you use." Millions of Americans know this phrase from radio and print advertising for the Verbal Advantage audio series, which has sold over 100,000 copies. Now this bestselling information is available for the first time in book form, in an easy-to-follow, graduated vocabulary building program that teaches an outstanding vocabulary in just ten steps.

Unlike other vocabulary books, Verbal Advantage provides a complete learning experience, with clear explanations of meanings, word histories, usages, pronunciation, and more. Far more than a cram session for a standardized test, the book is designed as a lifetime vocabulary builder, teaching a vocabulary shared by only the top percentage of Americans, with a proven method that helps the knowledge last.

A 10-step vocabulary program teaches 500 key words and 3,000 synonyms.
Lively, accessible writing from an expert author and radio personality.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

n book form! A successful program for teaching 3,500 vocabulary words that successful people need to know, based on America's #1 bestselling audio vocabulary series.

"People judge you by the words you use." Millions of Americans know this phrase from radio and print advertising for the Verbal Advantage audio series, which has sold over 100,000 copies. Now this bestselling information is available for the first time in book form, in an easy-to-follow, graduated vocabulary building program that teaches an outstanding vocabulary in just ten steps.

Unlike other vocabulary books, Verbal Advantage provides a complete learning experience, with clear explanations of meanings, word histories, usages, pronunciation, and more. Far more than a cram session for a standardized test, the book is designed as a lifetime vocabulary builder, teaching a vocabulary shared by only the top percentage of Americans, with a proven method that helps the

From the Back Cover

First time in book form! A successful program for teaching 3,500 vocabulary words that successful people need to know, based on America's #1 bestselling audio vocabulary series.
""People judge you by the words you use." Millions of Americans know this phrase from radio and print advertising for the Verbal Advantage audio series, which has sold over 100,000 copies. Now this bestselling information is available for the first time in book form, in an easy-to-follow, graduated vocabulary building program that teaches an outstanding vocabulary in just ten steps.
Unlike other vocabulary books, Verbal Advantage provides a complete learning experience, with clear explanations of meanings, word histories, usages, pronunciation, and more. Far more than a cram session for a standardized test, the book is designed as a lifetime vocabulary builder, teaching a vocabulary shared by only the top percentage of Americans, with a proven method that helps the knowledge last.
A 10-step vocabulary program teaches 500 key words and 3,000 synonyms.
Lively, accessible writing from an expert author and radio personality.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0375709320
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House Reference
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 26, 2002
Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 459 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780375709326
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0375709326
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.19 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.43 x 0.98 x 8.17 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #124,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #64 in Word Lists
- #85 in Alphabet Reference
- #126 in Vocabulary Books

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411 ratings

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Charles Harrington Elster

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Charles Harrington Elster is a writer, broadcaster, and logophile — a lover of words. He has so far published twelve books and numerous articles about the English language, all intended for a general audience (no textbooks or scholarly tomes).

His latest book is "How to Tell Fate from Destiny and Other Skillful Word Distinctions" (October 2018), a combination of a thesaurus and a usage manual designed to help readers choose properly among commonly confused words. It is also available as an audiobook (from HighBridge) narrated by Charlie.

He is also the author of the popular vocabulary-building program "Verbal Advantage" and its even more comprehensive companion program, "Word Workout," which is available both in print and in audio, narrated by Charlie. His other books include "Tooth and Nail" and "Test of Time," vocabulary-building novels for high school students preparing to take the college entrance exams; "There's a Word for It," a lighthearted look at unusual — and unusually useful — words; "What in the Word?" a salmagundi of word lore, wordplay, and advice on usage and pronunciation; "The Big Book of Beastly Mispronunciations," now in its second edition, which the late William Safire of The New York Times hailed as "the best survey of the spoken field in years"; and "The Accidents of Style: Good Advice on How Not to Write Badly," which Constance Hale, author of "Sin and Syntax," called "useful, nuanced — and funny, too."

Charlie was a consultant for "Garner's Modern English Usage," and he is the pronunciation editor for "Black's Law Dictionary." He was a guest contributor to William Safire's "On Language" column in The New York Times Magazine, and his articles have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, the San Diego Union-Tribune, and other publications.

Charlie has also been talking about language on the radio since 1985. He has been interviewed on NPR's "Talk of the Nation," "Weekend Edition," and "All Things Considered" and been a guest on hundreds of radio shows around the country. For five and a half years he cohosted a weekly public radio talk show on language called "A Way with Words." He currently appears live for an hour on the third Thursday of each month on KOA 850 AM Denver.

Charlie was born in New York City in 1957 and earned his B.A. cum laude from Yale in 1981. He lives in San Diego.

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Customers find this vocabulary book effective, noting it lists examples of how words are used and is particularly useful for English learners. Moreover, they appreciate its value, describing it as an enjoyable read that's worth the investment. Additionally, the material is well-structured, progressing from easy to more challenging concepts, and customers find it useful for various purposes.

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Vocabulary Value for money Ease of understanding Use

57 customers mention "Vocabulary"57 positive0 negative

Customers find the book effective for building vocabulary, with examples provided for how words are used, making it particularly useful for English learners and a painless way to expand knowledge.

"...For some reason Verbal Advantage is really enjoyable for me. Maybe it's because now I can see the correlation between success and vocabulary?..." Read more

"...around themes" that not only increase vocabulary, but remind of us unused words, and also make them more precise (including pronunciation)...." Read more

"This is a fun book for learning new words. The words are divided in 10 levels, each level containing 50 "key" words...." Read more

"...the chagrin of the author of my wording this way, the gamified approach to vocabulary building. You learn words and take a quiz at the end...." Read more

35 customers mention "Value for money"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and worth the money, with one customer noting it's a good companion to the expensive recorded CD version.

"...project, and this book certainly takes that task seriously and performs well. Overall, it is an impressive and very useful device." Read more

"...The book is entertaining though, and my vocabulary did improve a bit by the end of it...." Read more

"...anyway this book is wonderful! I also recommend word smart I and II, although not as great as this book, they are still good tools to have around...." Read more

"...and of all the books I have read, I must say that this is the best one yet!..." Read more

8 customers mention "Ease of understanding"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the vocabulary course easy to understand, with one customer noting how it progresses from simple to more complex concepts.

"...I'm still working my way through it and revisiting chapters. It's challenging. I've been helping a friend's 13-year-old with her spelling bee prep...." Read more

"...They couldn't so they bought another. The course starts deceptively easy...." Read more

"...an index is a crutch. this book progresses from easy to hard, so you don't need an index. anyway this book is wonderful!..." Read more

"Very good book, it was a challenge and provided some interesting depths to further my vocabulary in writing poetry and expression...." Read more

7 customers mention "Use"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book useful and great for anyone.

"...school \ early college young adults this book because I've found it so useful...." Read more

"...You learn the meaning of words along with their history, usage, pronunciation, etymology...." Read more

"This book is great for anyone who wants to build their vocabulary...." Read more

"I adore this book. Concise definitions and usage coupled with warnings against misuse and common errors in everyday language...." Read more

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Nathan B
Single Wide Trailer Park Kid
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2014
Verified Purchase

I grew up in a few single wide trailers and had the vocabulary that you would expect. After my military career and over 10 years in the corporate world, my vocabulary increased just by association with my peer groups (even before I ever purchased Verbal Advantage).

I still have many friends who I care about deeply that never left that small town I grew up in. When I communicate with them today I can't help but to think they are not as intelligent as I am. I don't want to feel that way, but it's true. If I owned a company, the chances are I would not hire them.

Verbal Advantage made me realize that successful Executives probably view my current communication ability in the same regard as I view my childhood friends from the trailer parks. As much as that Executive may like me and believe I have a high aptitude, I doubt he would give me a Vice President job. There is a communication gap between executives and myself in the same way there is between myself and my old buddies.

Is this fair? Probably not... But not much in life is fair. In reality however, we all play by the same rules. One of those rules is that people in a position to hire you need to be able to see you in that role before they will put you into that role. Vocabulary is one facet that will help. Two other details that you should investigate are 1) Your appearance, including your attire and physical looks and 2) The way you carry yourself.

I despised vocabulary and grammar in school. For some reason Verbal Advantage is really enjoyable for me. Maybe it's because now I can see the correlation between success and vocabulary? Not sure, either way I thoroughly enjoy Verbal Advantage. I suggest getting both the audio program and this book.

I've went through this entire program more than once. It's not a fast process. I never realized how many words I just glossed over while reading or talking with others. I've reread books from a few years ago and noticed the author used many words that I had never seen until I went through VA. How did I not notice that I didn't know these words the first time I read the books? You'll be amazed at how many words you gloss over without even slowing down.

Even at times when the learning curve feels slow, all of a sudden during a conversation you'll whip out a brand new word you learned weeks ago and didn't even realize you were ready to use it. It's a great feeling when you use the precise word to communicate effectively.

There are no downsides to improving yourself. Success is not something you pursue; Success is something you become...

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Cristi
This has long since been a favorite book of mine
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023
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I have had this book about 10 years and love it so much. I'm still working my way through it and revisiting chapters. It's challenging. I've been helping a friend's 13-year-old with her spelling bee prep. She is on her way to nationals. I had told her this was my favorite book for learning words and that reading everything I could get my hands on when I was her age is what helped me really learn words, context and grammar When going through her practice words, I noticed she knew the words and sometimes the context but not really how to use them. I bought this copy for her. She will grow into it over time, as I did, and I hope she loves it as much as I have.

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3 people found this helpful

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D. S. Heersink
"Easy" in the Sub-title is Relative
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2007
Verified Purchase
Initially, I was disappointed, because I seem to possess already a larger than average vocabulary, so I tabled the book awhile and came back later.

Now, I see its virtues more clearly. Everyone can benefit from the book's riches, including its 3,500 words. The scheme is based on "levels" and then on "organization around themes" that not only increase vocabulary, but remind of us unused words, and also make them more precise (including pronunciation). Many include etymologies. Most juxtapose synonyms to differentiate meanings. Sometimes definitions seem sparse or omitted, but one still develops the sense by other routes.

The "levels" are degrees of sophistication and/or complexity, arbitrary obviously, but with deliberation that is sensible, which then the user can determine how sophisticated to enrich his vocabulary. For example, Level 10 is Latinate vocabulary one might not use/encounter with frequency, but even these arcane words suggest other possibilities for different uses. Even so, one can always pick-and-choose words suggested.

Everyone can benefit from this work, from the articulate to the newbie, going to a "level" of one's own choosing. Acquiring a vocabulary this large will require time, and a strategy to exercise with it regularly. Just being reminded of words so often unused is itself a valuable tool. And most importantly, each word is actually developed with substance not merely quick definition and/or synonyms. Even words already-known can, and have, become more precise through re-acquaintance with this book.

My only cavil, and it's minor, is not being able to use this resource as a "reference" also. But even I'm not sure how that could be achieved alongside its other ambitions. Just enriching one's vocabulary is itself a noble project, and this book certainly takes that task seriously and performs well.

Overall, it is an impressive and very useful device.

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14 people found this helpful

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44thMongol
Good book
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2024
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Keep up with the high brow crowd

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Nicole
This is a very cool book
Reviewed in Germany on September 12, 2014
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The package of the book is really safe, and the content of the book is helpful for enlarge people's vocabulary. I am using this book for preparing my GRE verbal tests. Recommend to people who is going to take the test as well.

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Chee L
Thank you for FREE and FAST delivery!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 29, 2021
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Top seller! Item received way earlier than expected. Highly recommended!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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beethoven
A good read
Reviewed in Brazil on March 2, 2015
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This book is a good option if you want to increase your vocabulary with other words. And additionally improves your grammar skills.

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phenorin
音声教材がある最難関英単語帳。英単語を説明している読み物としても面白い。
Reviewed in Japan on March 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
ばっと見の内容は500のキーワードがあり、それぞれに同義語、反意語、語源等が紹介されているという感じです。キーワードのリストだけ見ると数はそれほど多くなく、他に類似の洋書と比べてもそこまで際立った違いは感じないかもしれなく、目次を見て物足りないと思う人もいるかもしれませんが、この本の神髄はその説明に含まれている単語・熟語全部込みで、まず、作者が意図してる同義語等も含めた収録語彙が総数が3500＋、そして説明文には、それ以上に、恐らく非母語話者はお目にかかったことのない単語・表現がものすごく散りばめられています。さらっと読む分には、同義語として紹介されていて流してしまうような物も、しっかり見てみるととても難しいものが多く、特にフレーズはさらっと読むと本当に分かった気になって飛ばしてしまいそうなものがかなり使われているので、完全に読み込むなら単語本として最高の難語、そして情報量がつまっています。そして単語・類語の説明として、語源や神話、歴史・文化的な側面、文学の一節等、きちんと読めば読むほど単語に付随した情報を得られるので（それを全てかみ砕いていくのは大変ですが）、トータルで英語力が上がる事間違いなしだと思います。

そして、単語帳の洋書にしては珍しく音声があり、音声は別売りで高いのですが、このレベルで音声がついているのは珍しいと思うので、耳でも勉強も含めおすすめです。上で述べた難しい同義語・反義語等、そして10語ごとのテスト、珍しいラテン語等の語源の発音も入っているので、一気に非常に多くの数の単語の発音が聞けてしまうのも利点。

ただそれ故、キーワードはもとより、同意語等も他の色々な英検1級レベルを超えるような上級英語帳で紹介されているようなものがさらっとたくさん使われていて、説明文も含め難しい語のオンパレードであり、それなりに上級語彙を見たことがないと説明を読むのも大変だと思います。ただし、定義や類義語、反意語でやさし目な単語等も使われているので、英英で理解できる人にはある程度は読解も可能？

とは言え、個人的には、この手の語彙に挑戦したい人がいきなりこの本を使うとかなり大変だと思うので、英検1級向けないしそれ以上対応の語彙本をどれか1冊の半分くらいは分かるくらいまでやった経験がある方が、本書を使うのにはいいと思います。（もちろんそれを承知で辞書等で調べまくって一気に3500～語覚えてしまうのも、選択肢かとも思いますが、ある程度知っていても細部まで読むとまさに辞書を覚えるような情報量。）

普通の単語帳より読み物として楽しく、音声付きの難単語収録本ということで、個人的に洋書の語彙本では断トツにおススメです。

ちなみにWord Workoutという続編もあり、そちらも音声が入手可能になったので、この本が合う人は、さらなる語彙増強がシリーズで可能です。

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Balraj Jhawar
Excellent for retention
Reviewed in Canada on August 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
I purchased probably 10 books on how to increase in your vocabulary. This was hands-down the best. The reason is the explanations are two or three paragraphs for each word. I think that really helps you retain the information.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Single Wide Trailer Park Kid

5.0 out of 5 stars This has long since been a favorite book of mine

5.0 out of 5 stars "Easy" in the Sub-title is Relative

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a very cool book

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you for FREE and FAST delivery!

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read

5.0 out of 5 stars 音声教材がある最難関英単語帳。英単語を説明している読み物としても面白い。

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for retention

Single Wide Trailer Park Kid

This has long since been a favorite book of mine

"Easy" in the Sub-title is Relative

Good book

This is a very cool book

Thank you for FREE and FAST delivery!

A good read

音声教材がある最難関英単語帳。英単語を説明している読み物としても面白い。

Excellent for retention