The House and Senate Explained: The People's Guide to Congress [Paperback]

Ellen Greenberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393314960 | ISBN-13: 978-0393314960 | Publication Date: September 17, 1996

Your guide to understanding how Congress works, who does what, and why--and how to reach out and do something about it.

Ellen Greenberg sets the stage for both the House of Representatives and the Senate, explaining what the mace and hopper are, how the chambers are laid out, who the onstage actors are and what they do. Her section on the jargon--the most common phrases used--goes far beyond mere description to show how our government operates. She also explains how business is done: what happens on a daily basis and during the weekly schedule and how a bill becomes a law--or doesn't. The House and Senate Explained includes a chapter on using the Internet to access information about the House, the Senate, and the White House, from getting around Washington to accessing proposed bills to sending E-mail to your congressional representatives. In addition, you'll learn how to be heard by your representatives and how to take a more active role in committee hearings. A listing of all the congressional committees and subcommittees lets you know where your special concerns are being addressed. Whether a C-SPAN addict, a concerned citizen, or a general reader watching the nightly news, this hands-on manual will help you understand Congress and how to make it work for you.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA. The perfect book for teens agonizing through Civics or American Government classes and finding the workings of Congress completely incomprehensible. Greenberg simplifies, explains, and presents the legislative branch in ways that bring clarity to confusion. She begins with the basics?how both the House and Senate are physically organized. Two diagrams for each explain and show the positions of the "mace," the "hopper," and other accouterments of government. Seventeen "players," or named positions, in the House and 13 in the Senate are described as well. A chapter entitled "The Script" gives alphabetically listed terms used in legislation. A typical congressional day is outlined and a pithy explanation of the steps from a bill to law is offered. An excellent reference source, the book includes a full index and sections on written and Internet accesses to the government.?Carol DeAngelo, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Ellen Greenberg has written a guide to Congress just the way we would have--all facts and no partisan commentary.” (Brian Lamb, C-SPAN )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (September 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393314960
• ISBN-13: 978-0393314960
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Government     > Congresses, Senates, & Legislative Bodies

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide to the vocabulary and proceedings of Congress!, November 27, 2000

By 

"clikker" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The House and Senate Explained: The People's Guide to Congress (Paperback)

Whether you're a C-SPAN addict or simply a citizen who wants tolearn about how our Constitutional Republic works, this book is agreat introduction into the workings of the Legislative branch, and ahandy reference that's a lifesaver when watching C-SPAN or during aCivics test.

This book is conveniently divided into threeparts. The first part deals with the makeup of each chamber, and whereeveryone goes. Answers to questions like "Where does the Speakerof the House sit?" and "How are the seats in the Senatearranged?" can be found here.

The second part, the heart ofthe book, is a large dictionary of Congressional terms. This is themost useful section of the book. Find out what a "SecretSession" is, as well as a "filibuster", a"line-item veto", and what a "Pro-Forma session"is. Clear, consise definitions, in laymans terms.

The thirdsection deals with Congressional procedure. This section detailscommon phrases, how to testify for Congress, how a Bill becomes Law,and a common day in the life of Congress.

Last of all, is anappendix with Congressional websites, ... and other Internetresources. At the end is a lengthy listing of all the CongressionalCommittees (just so you know, a Congress is subdivided into committeesthat focus on certain aspects of the government), such as theCommittee on Indian Affairs and the Agriculture Committee.

Overall, this is a great book, and I highly recommend it for anyonethat wants to have a better knowledge of the enigma that isCongress.
For political junkies, this is a very handy referncetool, as is a dictionary to a grammarian.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Basic 101!, January 14, 2011

By 

L. Smith "Lauren" (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The House and Senate Explained: The People's Guide to Congress (Paperback)

This book provides a very clear and unbiased break down of the House and the Senate, including definitions of the roles of each member as well as explanations of commonly used terms. I really found this book helpful and clear. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who really needs a House and Senate 101 lesson.

3.0 out of 5 stars a reference book, title suggests otherwise, November 16, 2009

By 

Kevin Rarick "grit granite" (portola valey, ca United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The House and Senate Explained: The People's Guide to Congress (Paperback)

based on the title of this book i was looking forward to a book which provided an explanation with good narrative, description, and historical context into the workings of congress. instead this book is simply a reference for terms and phrases used by and for congress. granted someone took the time to look up and define the many obscure terms and phrases but the lack of meaning and context is frustrating. a better title for the book might be, "A Reference to Terms and Phrases Used in Congress".