This brief, practical survey text is based on the best-selling Practicing Texas Politics and covers the major topics of the larger text in a format that is 40% shorter. The concise coverage makes the Brief ideal for instructors who want to supplement it with additional readings or other texts, or use it as a supplement to an American Government text. Several study aids throughout the text support student learning, including lists of key terms and concepts, bold-faced vocabulary, end-of-chapter readings, a glossary and index, and selected sources for research and reading.