Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy

by George C. Edwards III, Martin P. Wattenberg, Robert L. Lineberry

How should we govern? and What should government do? Professors Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry evaluate how well the American system lives up to citizens' expectations of democratic government and discuss alternative views concerning the proper scope of American government. In doing so they help students answer the critical question, "What difference does politics make?"

Genres: School, Textbooks, Nonfiction, Politics, History, Political Science, Reference

643 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this like 6 times before I took the exam...

[Finn Cronin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very Informative, but stole my soul every night before notes were due.

[Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

DNF over halfway through, it was pretty alright though. Definitely much better than I expected though.

[Darrin Jackson]

Although this book is boring, like every other textbook. It is a very good resource for learning and studying AP Government

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Main Takeaways:
1. Politics is everywhere. Whether you are looking for funding for your organization, paying sales tax when buying an ice cream, or going to school, the government is closely involved.
2. In a democratic society, it is ultimately the political action of the people that determines policy, albeit the extent of which may vary.
3. The American system has an intricate system of checks and balances that make it much harder for one person/institution to hold too much power.

Thoughts:
Considering I read an AP edition, I’m not surprised that it was boring. I find that books that center around tests are just very often extremely boring. I guess this shows how testing can ruin the joy in learning. Oh well.
Still, this book has its merits. Everything is explained relatively clearly, and if someone understands this book well, I’m sure they can do well on the AP government exam (hopefully that will be me). However, I think the book sometimes takes too many words on examples to a point where it does not help. Also, many of the pictures felt superfluous for me. The book did have some very neat diagrams and flow charts though.

They also conveyed the importance of politics and political action well.

Overall, it makes sense to read this book for AP government. Maybe the non-study/AP edition will be a more interesting read though.

[Katre Ans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wretched. Soul-sucking. Helped me pass AP Government & Politics with flying colors. I regret every evening spent bent over this stupid book. I am so glad I had it as a resource.

SPOILERS: most of the characters die.

[Belle Meade School]

320.473

[KC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, it's an AP textbook! I get it!!! You don't need to rub it in with the densest writing I've ever read!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this textbook for a class I am taking for teacher recertification. I already read the first half for the first semester--it's a really good book.
I finished my class with A! This textbook is very interesting!

[Janise · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a very conservative slant to it, made it a challenge to read without feeling irritated at the state of the government.

[columbialion]

Textbook for PoliSci

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. It gives thorough explanations of the way that politics work. It also has an online study site that can test you on all of the knowledge.

[Splen · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPRING 2011 (St. Philip's College)
Federal Government
Prof. Dr. Gregory Hudspeth

[Amanda W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good textbook all in all. A good review over the US Government as a whole. I could see this as a high school text book over a college book in some ways though.

[Elijah McCarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

GUD BOOOK!!!!!!!!!

[Heather West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading the green label, study edition.