Customer Reviews

The Logic Of American Politics, 4th Edition

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

 

 

I have used this textbook in my undergraduate course in American Politics for over 5 years because it is one that encourages students to use theoretical tools to think critically and to understand how government works as well as anticipate what will happen given a set of circumstances - that is what theory is all about. The rational choice perspective is presented very clearly and I have not had a student who has not gained some greater understanding of the governmental process through their reading of this textbook. Moreover, the book is rich in historical and contemporary examples. The book is not perfect, but few textbooks meet that criteria. And it is certainly not above the heads of college undergraduates, but rather interesting enough to get them engaged, and challenging enough so that their brains grow a bit rather than having material that is dummied down for them. It does have some big words in it, but students can look them up or the teacher can explain them to them... ; )

As an undergraduate, I find newsman's assertion that I can't grasp free rider problems insulting. It's not rocket science.

Anyway, the prose is amazing, the book is chock full of fascinating historical examples, and the exposition of ideas is logical and tidy. It doesn't even strike one as a textbook upon reading. The typical dry, textbook blandness can be found nowhere.

After my class was over, we hadn't completed the book, but it was interesting enough for me to finish it on my own -- and I'm an engineering major!

This book is a very easy-to-understand way of introducing oneself to the basis of our political system here in America. The layout and descriptions are captivating and keeps your interest throughout the book; which is quite a feat considering that some of these descriptions can be daunted with details and rather dry. It not only evinces the logic behind our American government but it also acknowledges the deviations and variations from our Constitution since its inception. I think this book should be required reading for all Americans.

the book lays out some great points but fails to really define key points. what it likes to do is bring up a term or a topic, then just bombard you with examples (most of the examples is about Clinton being impeached, Bush & Gore, and Obama) and forget to really explain the topic or term in detail.

unnecessary information is put in it and it's SO LONG it makes me NOT want to read it. make a 5th edition and cut out all the unnecessary examples. go straight into the topics and terms, explain in detail (STOP USING SO MANY OF THE SAME EXAMPLES) IT'S SO DRY i don't even think the TAs read the book in detail!

This book was in excellent condition!!!! This book was very helpful in my political science class !!!

This product is exactly what I was looking for and the seller was very reliable and professional.

Kernell and Jacobson try to combine historical and rational-choice understandings of American government in this text, but not in a particularly successful manner. The issues of collective action and free rider problems are above the heads of most undergraduates, who care about what actually happens in politics, not what a game-theoretic model in a book thinks should happen.

The writing style is also very dense. It's not particularly engaging for the reader, and the occasional cutesy attempt to insert cartoons or other stylistic improvements falls flat. The history is very interesting to someone who cares, but doesn't show the average student why history is important, why it matters that they know it in order to properly understand American politics today.

For a slightly better take on an American government textbook with a historical focus, take a look at Landy and Milkis' new textbook.

Ordered this book for a summer class. Waited, and it never came. I contacted the seller for tracking info, but seller could not provide it. I got behind in class and finally just went out and bought the book at the campus bookstore. According to the seller, it got lost at the post office. Advice to the seller: Have more than one delivery option. I would have paid more to get overnight, 2-day, or 3-day shipping through UPS, or fedex. Seller did issue a full refund which I appreciate but the damage had been done.

i needed this book for my politics class .. it shipped in just a couple days ... exactly when i needed it!

I got my item way before the estimated date and the item was in perfect condition. Thanks!