The Complete Idiot's Guide To American Government (Paperback)

by Mary Shaffrey (Author), Melanie Fonder (Author) "In modern times, the United States has been the one and only superpower, with a strong central government serving as a model of democracy for..." (more)
Key Phrases: federal budget process, home rule charter, federal candidate, United States, New York, White House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The most up-to-date general reference book on the history and structure of U.S. government.

This overview of all the government’s major institutions and agencies, the election process, and the creation and passing of laws and taxes has been updated with the latest information on such important issues as campaign finance reform, fundraising, and homeland security.

• Completely updated resource section includes the latest government websites

• The only American government book to include the results of the 2004 presidential election

• Re-structured to complement high school and college political science/civics courses --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author
Mary Shaffrey is the Washington correspondent for the Winston- Salem Journal. In 2004, she covered the presidential and later vice presidential campaign of U.S. Senator John Edwards.

Melanie Fonder is the press secretary for Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle. She most recently was associate editor for WisPolitics.com, an online political news service. Fonder is working on her M.A. at the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 1st edition (May 13, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028643534
• ISBN-13: 978-0028643533
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #403,446 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What? You didn't take Civics in high school??, March 4, 2004

By	Regina "RCM" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews

I went to a private high school that did not offer a course explaining the structure and function of the US government. I'm in my twenties and I live in Washington, DC. I was feeling like the BIGGEST idiot in town.

This book did its job; it outlined the federal government, it discussed local government, and it presented the complexity of the three branches of government in detail that helped me to understand current events on a deeper level.

It could have been better. Some aspects of the Bill of Rights were not explained very well. And once or twice I felt that the book was trying to tell me which politics to agree with (e.g. during discussions of supreme court precedent cases and during the definitions of "republican" and "democrat").

Overall, however, it was an easy read and there were lots of interesting facts. For example, the first woman elected to congress, the longest filibuster in history, and how many times certain constitutional amendments were proposed before they passed.

This book will not provide a cure for "politicians don't care about my vote" depression, but it cures ignorance with facts and provides encouragement by explaining how individuals can get involved in running the country, at least on a local level.

I now feel ready (and even eager!) to read more complicated texts. Also, I feel that my vote is just a little more meaningful than before, now that I actually know what I'm voting for and why I am voting.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A reader, May 26, 2004

By A Customer

I used it as a secondary source in preparing for the CLEP in American Government. I found Cliffs QuickReview of American Government to contain the same information but much more concisely. If you want additional interesting tidbits concerning government then the Idiot's book is for you. However, if you are looking for a prep book for the CLEP exam then get the Cliffs book.

This is not to say that the Idiot's book is bad. It is a good book that is packed with information.

46 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for CLEP test, October 4, 2002

By	J. Lee (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was the only American Government that covered most of the subjects for the American Government CLEP test. Unlike a lot of idiot books, this one is well written and doesn't talk down to you. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to get a better grip on what's going on in Washington, and WHY.