The Handy Politics Answer Book (The Handy Answer Book Series) [Paperback]

Gina Misiroglu (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Handy Answer Book Series | Publication Date: September 1, 2002

In these politically charged times, interest in the political process is peaking. Enormous decisions must be made at a time when the world seems to be teetering on the edge of chaos. The Handy Politics Answer Book dares to ask the tough questions (not like the ones reporters lob at incumbents) and answers every one thoroughly and clearly (without the usual political side-stepping and spin tactics). Fifteen chapters explore politics from our founding fathers to current trends, from our branches of government to how they work together (or don't), from noteworthy people and officials to major events. Handy Politics is just the book wannabe politicians (and everyone else) can consult to obtain a solid understanding on such things as "Why were Medicare and Medicaid created?" "What are civil liberties?" "What is due process of law?" "What is NAFTA?" "What is the United Nations?" Then there are the questions you always wanted to know, like, "What is considered the dirtiest presidential campaign on record?" And, "If the president has a job description, what is it?" Great questions for parties, but everyone knows you're not supposed to talk politics at social gatherings. That's why this book exists.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gina Misiroglu is a fourteen-year veteran of the West Coast publishing industry, specializing in the development and editing of popular culture, reference, and women's studies. Misiroglu has edited and developed hundreds of books in her publishing career for a number of presses, including Price Stern Sloan/HP Books, New World Library, Lowell House, Visible Ink Press, Macmillan Reference USA, and Adams Media Corporation. Misiroglu is the author of Girls Like Us: 40 Extraordinary Women Celebrate Girlhoods in Story, Poetry, and Song (New World Library, 1999), winner of the New York Public Library's "Best Book for Teens" Award, and Imagine: The Spirit of Twentieth-Century American Heroes (New World Library, 1999). She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 632 pages
• Publisher: Visible Ink Press; 1st ed,2nd ptg edition (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578591392
• ISBN-13: 978-1578591398
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #403,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Seems thorough, interesting, and useful, January 16, 2004

By 

M. Grapenthien (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Handy Politics Answer Book (The Handy Answer Book Series) (Paperback)

I only browsed through this book in the bookstore, purchasing it now, but since there are no other reviews I thought my impressions might be helpful.

The book is just what it says - a politics answer book in Q&A format, divided into several related sections, making it relatively easy to get info on a particular topic. It seems to cover the subject thoroughly, both in breadth (covers important pols, issues, ideas, domestic and international, key historical people ideas and documents...) and in depth, the answers a general a few paragraphs (though some are longer where necessary) - enough to give you what you need without rambling.

At the title implies, it would be more useful as a reference book, although it was interesting enough that one could browse through it or even read cover to cover. I was impressed, I've been looking for a book like this to refer to for political science courses, more than just a political dictionary.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just what I was looking for, November 12, 2006

By 

"Dity" (Bellingham, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Handy Politics Answer Book (The Handy Answer Book Series) (Paperback)

I wanted to find a basic government information book along the lines of the "Complete Idiot's Guides" or "for Dummies" books. This definitely falls in that category. The information ranges from basic need-to-know facts about how the U.S. government works to interesting bits of trivia (e.g. who was the first African American Supreme Court justice?).

I'm not sure if mine is the same edition as this one (mine has a brown cover, but I'm pretty sure it's from 2002). Due to the controversial political arena in the past 4 years the book could definitely use some updating, but since politics are inherently controversial it would be difficult to keep up unless it was updated once or more per year.

I had a difficult time deciding whether to give 3 or 4 stars. I decided on 4 because I think people should definitely read this book in order to learn the basics about the government. I found it very useful during election time because the political mumbo-jumbo started making more sense. But these were the items I found issue with:

~There are multiple proofreading errors, on the order of 2 or 3 per page at least. If it was just one typo here and there I wouldn't have a problem with it, but I found the frequent mistakes distracting.
~While the book tries to be impartial, every once in a while it leans to the conservative side. It is subtle, such as giving mild praise to President Bush's handling of the terrorism war and mild rebukes to President Clinton's affair. Whatever the author's personal feelings on these issues, they should have presented only the facts and not opinions.
~The book should be reorganized slightly, starting with explaining the branches of government before describing policies (such as foreign policy, economic policy, etc.).

Overall this book is certainly worth reading, and I recommend it to anyone who wants basic information about how our government works. Every registered voter should understand these basics.