Customer Reviews

The American Democracy

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was the text used for my introductory poly-sci class. This book is one of the better texts I've been required to read. It's very concise and easy to understand, but doesn't talk down to the student. A wonderful reference and overview.

I am brand new to the subject but found this book an excellent starting point. It has easy to read chapters and supporting graphs. I reccomend to anyone who may be interested or a text book.

This is one of the more readable textbooks that I've encountered, yet in achieving that status, it does not seem to have sacreficed any degree of thoroughness. It is an excellent introduction to the American political system, and if, as one reviewer has noted, it is somewhat mistitled in that the American political system is NOT, technically, a democracy but is rather a representative republic, that's a pretty minor quibble to slam an otherwise excellent book over. Heck, I'd have given it a second star just for its appendices; it includes the text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the US (including all amendments), and Federalist papers #s 10 and 51. As to the reviewer who complained that the book is biased against the south, I think he's oversensitive; I certainly didn't see anything of the sort.

The American Democracy is a great reference for anyone to refresh and reflect on the history in which our nation evolved. The factual stories told are to remind us that our freedom as Americans is not "free." Many Americans died for the life, liberty, and property of others. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are within The American Democracy text, and should be a part of not only history, but everyone's reference to today's democracy in the United States.

Shipping:
- on the specified time.
- charges greater than book itself
- small visible damage upon recieval

Conditon Inside:
- Nearly new very small writing inside the book cover page.
- Undamged inside

Material:
- Too lengthy doesn't get to the point. Require addional research to learn the material.
- Does provide sub title group, vocabulary and glossary.
- No disk included.
- Not the newest edition.
- Adviced little is changed

Will consider this seller again in the future

Had some writing in it. Dents and creases were in the book as well. But was good price for a book like this.

I would have like to known in what year this book was published or updated.

price was high,should have come with study guide for the price.it was
cleaper in book store.

Patterson's American Democracy is engaging and accessible for Intro students in pol sci. But the text also reflects the pervasive and, apparently never-ending, influence of the Left in the academe. For instance, It is depressing and occasionally infuriating to soon discover that all examples of political peccadillos in US government included by the author in this text are of alleged Republican missteps or viciousness in government. A howler is his citing of bias on the right in Fox news, but without corresponding acknowledgement of a similar left bias in MSNB and CNN. For the intro student not attuned to the fiery partisanship of the current climate of US politics, Patterson's habits of quickly passing over these examples as if their accuracy was beyond dispute will be politically effective. But contemptible.

This book is easy to read. It does not always explain exactly what a professor wants you to talk about when posting on line. If you need this book then I would get it but if you just want a book to read. This is not the book.