This is one of the better vocabulary builders that you are ever likely to find. Instead of being banal and boring, the book approaches vocabulary building with an entirely different approach. It introduces a word and consequently its root, and then builds up a luxuriant number of words over the same and hence acquaints you with them in no time. The book also focuses a lot on revision of the words and this is what makes it a complete vocabulary book. And the very fact that this is the most coveted book in its regard, obviates the very prospect of me claiming it to be the best. Its a true value for money book and gives you much more than what you spend on it.. :)

Very good

The author followed an innovative approach to enrich the readers vocabulary by explaining the meaning of root words other words sharing same roots, which will enable us to guess the meaning of new word and that gives us a new hold and command over vocab. The sessions are so realistic that readers can find immediate application in your everyday life and the exercises are so powerful because they repeat the same words in different scenarios which makes easy to find a place in our memory. I do recommend it to children and students out there who are in search of a tonic to boost their vocabulary to a whole new level.

This Book is great for people who are preparing for some kind of entrance exam or IQ test or people who are struggling with English, especially with English vocabulary. I was really afraid of English because I didn't know most of the English words and eventually I sort of created an aversion to English until I read this book which made learning vocabulary easy. English started to make sense to me. For the most part of my life, I thought English is all about learning grammar rules but the reality is you can start to speak English even if you're bad at grammar. You just have to know the meanings of most of the words and you should be aware of basic grammar rules.
don't waste your time memorizing all the grammar rules, just spend more time learning new words and consuming more content in English.

This book makes learning vocabulary easy by using etymology. So Etymology is the study of the origin of words and Most English words have the same root, they’re either taken from Greek or Latin. Like parity disparity disparaging, pair, and peer is made from the same Latin word “par” which means equal so parity means equality and disparity means inequality because of the prefix “Dis” and disparaging means insulting remarks more like unequal remarks and peer is someone who is equal at the workplace and pair is two of same things, more like equal things. This method is so awesome because it is logical and doesn’t force you to mug up words and their meaning without any logic. I remember I used to mug up words by looking in the dictionary and after a week I wouldn’t even remember them. The approach was really regressive. I memorised the meaning of 400 words in just one summer after reading this book. Even my first video on youtube was about this book. You can see it, I will leave a link in the description box down below.

I initially purchased Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis during my engineering college days to improve my vocabulary. However, I barely made it through one or two sessions before setting it aside. Having recently completed the book, I deeply regret not finishing it sooner.

This book has profoundly enhanced my understanding of words, their meanings, origins, roots, and applications. Norman Lewis' focus on etymology provides a comprehensive approach to vocabulary building. The brief interjections after each chapter effectively reinforce retention, making it easier to remember and apply the new words learned.

My vocabulary has reached new heights thanks to this book, and I am grateful to Norman Lewis for his insightful guidance. Word Power Made Easy is more than just a vocabulary book; it's a tool that significantly improves language skills and ensures you use the right word in the right situation.

I highly recommend this book to all students, whether in school or college. Reading and practicing the exercises in this book at least two to three times is invaluable for any enthusiastic English learner. Don't wait—make this book a priority in your studies.

I think I would have given this book 5 stars in the 1950s when it was first published and certainly in the 1960s when I first read it. I found it extremely helpful. It is still helpful but with caveats.

1. I sometimes disagreed with the pronunciation guide, so I looked words up in the dictionary. Mostly I found that my pronunciation was perfectly acceptable.

2. Some of the words introduced seemed pretentious or not part of my reading universe. I just don't remember seeing them in my reading... ever. So learning them was a useless exercise.

Here are some examples:
Harridan (seen it) but not virago or termagant (not seen it).

ophthalmologist (seen it) but oculist (not seen it).

podiatry (seen it) but chiropody (not seen it).

uxoricide (not seen it).

sororicide (not seen it).

Also, the meaning of some words have changed such as:

chauvinist which has the primary meaning of being patriotic to the extreme, but also has the meaning of being antifeminist. I think the antifeminist meaning has become primary.

But the vast majority of the book was helpful, and it was good to review it once more.

I really went from 0 to 100 in terms of competence in word use and knowledge of the English language.

This is important to note for those with a lacking vocabulary. You can dive into this, no need to get your feet wet and delay your development any further.

Excellent exercises, descriptions, technique, etc. It works!

I started this book as a study material for GRE/TOEFL but over time I have revisited it many times. This book got me into the fascinating world of words. Each word we use, be it in English or any other language, has its own unique history and an evolution story. We don't get to hear this often though. Read this if you want to know about this world too, or as it is called, Etymology. I recommend this book going with another book called The Professor and The Madman. They definitely complement each other.

Every once in a while, I put myself through writing exercises. In this case, it was vocabulary exercises. This was not in an effort at learning to use more four and five syllable words - rather it was an effort (the latest in a continuous series) at learning to use the right word. Lewis does a decent job. But the mass market paperback format is all wrong. This book should be published as at least a trade paperback, if not a notebook sized workbook. It's hard to do the exercises in the 40 something chapters with this edition's tiny print and unyielding binding. I'm glad I'm done!

I have had this book for over a decade now, and I have tried to finish it a number of times. But every time I started it, I would just give up after a few chapters. The closest I ever came to completing this book was about halfway through it. But this time, I was determined to finish it, no matter how long it took. After more than a month, I completed the book.

Unlike other vocabulary books that teach you only the words, this book teaches you the roots and then teaches you words based on the roots. So if you ever come across another word that has the same root, you will be able to guess the meaning. I think this is the perfect way to increase your vocabulary. Anybody can easily follow the book and learn the words. The numerous exercises will make sure you learn all the words. I will recommend this book to anybody who wants to learn new words. This book is especially helpful for students preparing for competitive exams.

Rating: 5/5 stars

"Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to improve their vocabulary. The book is well-organized and easy to follow, with each chapter focusing on a specific topic related to language and usage.

Lewis has a talent for breaking down complex words and concepts into simple, understandable explanations. He uses plenty of real-life examples and anecdotes to illustrate his points, making the material both engaging and memorable.

One of the things I appreciate most about this book is that it doesn't just teach you new words - it also helps you understand how they're used in context. The chapters on prefixes, suffixes, and roots are especially helpful in this regard, as they give you the tools you need to decipher unfamiliar words on your own.

Overall, I highly recommend "Word Power Made Easy" to anyone who wants to expand their vocabulary and become a more confident, effective communicator. Whether you're a student, a professional, or just someone who loves words, this book is sure to enrich your language skills and your life.

For me, this book is an epitome of great pedagogy.

Going to the fundamentals of speech, (almost semiotically) he makes - "words are the verbal symbols of ideas" the central inspiration and an object in itself for any curious mind. What he demands of you is "curiosity" that we all once had in great amounts as kids. The author continuously motivates your progress and positively reinforces subtle changes you may have had in your worldview during the journey. And finally, he says that if he's able to make you habitually more curious about words at the end of this book, his book is a success. With this at centre, he also gives additional "food for thought" and "creative" type of exercises at the end of each chapter which is an important step in learning.

Of course, you are exposed to and, learn a large number of words. But, most interestingly, the author makes you ready for a self-sufficient future into the eternal joyous journey of words.

PS: This must be made as a textbook/course in high school!