America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work for You and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more


or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
or
Amazon Prime Free Trial required. Sign up when you check out. Learn More
Kindle Edition
 
   
Sell Back Your Copy
For a $7.20 Gift Card
Trade in
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work for You
 
 
Start reading America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work for You on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work for You [Paperback]

Bob Graham (Author), Chris Hand (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

List Price: $19.95
Price: $18.92 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $1.03 (5%)
  Special Offers Available
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it delivered Thursday, February 2? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
Textbook Student FREE Two-Day Shipping for students on millions of items. Learn more

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $9.99  
Paperback $18.92  
Sell Back Your Copy for $7.20
Whether you buy it used on Amazon for $10.10 or somewhere else, you can sell it back through our Book Trade-In Program at the current price of $7.20.
Used Price$10.10
Trade-in Price$7.20
Price after
Trade-in
$2.90

Book Description

1604264764 978-1604264760 March 23, 2009 1

Would you teach someone to play basketball using just chalkboard diagrams? Or would you get them on the court and have them play? In basketball, the answer is easy -- you do both. So why teach politics only as a spectator sport?



Senator Bob Graham believes that US citizens should expand on their classroom learning about the political system: he spurs them to hit the court and actually play the game. If citizens work on an issue they care about, politics will become a meaningful and positive experience. This short, how-to guide takes readers out of theoretical discussions of policy and into a world where they can affect change. Graham's goal is to have readers identify a problem, and then walk them through each step from researching the issue, to getting others involved, to engaging the media. Each chapter starts with a real case, showing citizens tackling a step in the process, and ends with a summary checklist and a series of questions that help readers put Graham’s game plan in action. By offering readers concrete guidance, an array of resources, and advice for troubleshooting and overcoming barriers, this compact user's guide gets readers way beyond textbook learning.



This book is the culmination of his efforts that began after a year in the state legislature more than 30 years ago, when Senator Graham took on the challenge of civic education at one school in Jacksonville. His time as both a governor and a senator has only strengthened his resolve to pique students' curiosity about politics and teach them to get what they want from government.


Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • Buy $50 in qualifying physical textbooks, get $5 in Amazon MP3 Credit. Here's how (restrictions apply)

Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with America's New Democracy (6th Edition) $44.68

America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work for You + America's New Democracy (6th Edition)
  • This item: America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work for You

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • America's New Democracy (6th Edition)

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details



Editorial Reviews

Review

If you want to be a part of the political action instead of sitting in the grandstands, then Bob Graham's America, The Owner's Manual is for you. Not only has he been one of America's most effective political leaders, along the way he became a first-rate teacher of his art. --- Senator Lamar Alexander, Former U.S. Education Secretary and Former Governor of Tennessee

Bob Graham is a true statesman who has spent a lifetime developing future leaders and encouraging the youth of our country to participate in public service we are a nation incredibly grateful for all of his gifts. This is an extremely important book and a crucial undertaking that will teach generations of Americans about our government and the very special impact of their contributions. --- Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

At a time when the United States needs an engaged citizenry more than ever, America, the Owner's Manual gives a road map on what it takes to be involved and how individuals can actually influence the political system. Calling on a long and distinguished career in public service, Senator Bob Graham illustrates each of his chapters with real-world examples of success, failure, and the stops in between. It's a must read for anyone who cares about what is going on around them and the future of our country. - --Christine Todd Whitman, Former EPA administrator and Governor of New Jersey

Bob Graham is a true statesman who has spent a lifetime developing future leaders and encouraging the youth of our country to participate in public service we are a nation incredibly grateful for all of his gifts. This is an extremely important book and a crucial undertaking that will teach generations of Americans about our government and the very special impact of their contributions. --- Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

At a time when the United States needs an engaged citizenry more than ever, America, the Owner's Manual gives a road map on what it takes to be involved and how individuals can actually influence the political system. Calling on a long and distinguished career in public service, Senator Bob Graham illustrates each of his chapters with real-world examples of success, failure, and the stops in between. It's a must read for anyone who cares about what is going on around them and the future of our country. --- Christine Todd Whitman, Former EPA administrator and Governor of New Jersey

About the Author

Bob Graham was elected Governor of Florida in 1978 and served two successful terms. Graham was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, serving three consecutive terms. One of his most important contributions came during his last term, when he was named chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He co-sponsored the bill to create the Director of National Intelligence position and co-chaired the "Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001." Graham later authored 2004's Intelligence Matters, revealing serious faults in the U.S. national security system.


Since retiring from public office in early 2005, Graham spent the 2005-2006 academic year at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. He now plans to focus his efforts on training the next generation of public leaders by mobilizing the academic resources of the University of Florida to solve public policy challenges facing Florida, the nation, and the Americas.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: CQ Press; 1 edition (March 23, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1604264764
  • ISBN-13: 978-1604264760
  • Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars The nuts and bolts approach of getting your ideas heard in government., January 24, 2010
By 
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work for You (Paperback)
Clearly written, easily understood explanation of government. It's not at all partisan. Senator Graham distills a lot of his experience in life into his examples and suggestions. You can fight city hall, but is requires more than just a spasm of anger to get it done.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Incisive book on gov't from one of the better politicians, October 25, 2009
This review is from: America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work for You (Paperback)
Bob Graham would have made a fine president, but when (after serving with distinction as both governor and senator from Florida) he offered himself in the primaries, he couldn't even get out of Iowa. As chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, he warned that the WMD rationale President Bush used to lure us into war in Iraq was totally false. No one listened.

Now in private life, Graham has written this small book: an invaluable primer designed to teach you how to make government work for YOU and your cause. Interesting case studies. If you want to work within the system, this book tells you what that system holds in store.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


4.0 out of 5 stars Bob Graham knows American organization, November 8, 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work for You (Paperback)
Bob Graham gives a deep and insightful view on grassroots organizing in modern America. There are great stories, interviews, and examples that definitely relate to anyone trying to get involved or better organize a community or organization.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews


Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
southern loop, bond proposal
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, South Beach, Miami Beach, Crown Coach, Steamboat Springs, Jackson County, All Your News Is Fit, New York, The Buck Stops Where, Art Deco, Just the Facts, You've Won, Monroe County, You've Lost, Florida Legislature, Nothing But Nets, East Los Angeles, The Price of Progress, Timing Is Everything, Smart Roads Alliance, South Florida, Testinq the Waters, House of Representatives, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles Times
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
Taking Possession of America 0 Jan 14, 2010
See all discussions...  
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
   
Related forums



So You'd Like to...

Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject