American Government and Politics Today, 2006-2007, The Essentials Edition

by Steffen W. Schmidt, Barbara A. Bardes, Mack C. Shelley II

The best-selling book published for American Government, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY: THE ESSENTIALS helps students experience the excitement that comes from active, informed citizenship in a concisely organized package. Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt's text is renowned nationwide for its balanced, unbiased, comprehensive, and up-to-date coverage of constitutional, governmental, political, social, and economic structures and processes. The overriding theme is the importance of informed active citizenship. The pedagogy underscores this theme by soliciting critical thinking about political issues and encouraging students to become involved the political process. With keen awareness of its audience, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY: THE ESSENTIALS incorporates current examples, the Internet, and other media to stimulate learning and excitement about American government. This truly interactive text gives students more than reading material-it gives them tools to become good citizens.

Genres: Politics, Textbooks, Government, Political Science, Nonfiction

532 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Nex Juice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this book as part of my American Federal Government class for the Fall 2020 semester. I actually learned some interesting information about the different powers of the different branches of the government. I had a good basic understanding, but didn't feel like this class was a complete waste. I've had an increasing interest in government as I've gotten older.

[Shun · Rating 5 out of 5]

textbook used in an undergrad class, but it's well-written!

[Hatim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. While thorough, it covers about the same information as a thorough AP Gov class will. I like the pictures, but any college level themes are more "repeated phrases" than college level analysis.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This educational government book has too many things going on in each page and I found it very hard to focus. My eye kept wanting to travel all over the pages and I had to really really concentrate to take in what I was reading. That said, I don't know that this book actually taught me anything new or misunderstood, in fact, I find the fact that our political parties flip-flopping over the last century in who and what they represent disconcerting to say the very least, and am just now realizing how very uninformed we, the people are when we go to our polls. If I didn't have a real fear of fascism I would probably refrain from voting all together, and well, isn't that part of the problem, fear.

[Melissa Brogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, and very modern/updated. Chapter on Constitution was sort of ridiculously long, even if that is understandable.

[Nick]

Hey