A fascinating, provocative read, UNDERSTANDING AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, ALTERNATE EDITION, gives you an inside look at the American political system and how the government works. You'll read about 2008 election controversies, ethical choices, diversity issues, and more--all important information that you will need throughout your life as an involved voter and citizen.
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Editorial Reviews
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"It is the best American government textbook I have ever encountered. Since I have at least 80 students per year, and sometimes as many 160, I have had many other publishers send me examination copies. None have matched the strengths of UNDERSTANDING AMERICAN GOVERNMENT."
"The text is rigorous and does not cut corners on presenting the nuances and complexities of the concepts and issues being presented."
"It is an exceptional textbook on American national government and one that I believe would be of great value to the student taking a course in this subject. It is exceptionally well-written, comprehensive, incorporates not only traditional material included in an American government text book but also incorporates this material with current issues and promotes critical thinking in the student. In my opinion, this book could not only serve as a textbook for a course but be a valuable reference book that a student could use long after the formal course is over. It highlights the dynamics of government, the issues of the basic belief in the American democratic system while raising the important questions of legitimacy and the need for participation by the student in the future. I would highly recommend this book and think it would meet and exceed the expectations of both an instructor and student.
"I commend some of the photos for the candor by which they address difficult issues that need to be addressed and are avoided in other textbooks. This material prompts course discussion about the difficult issues and events in American national government but, at times, the best way to address American government and democracy is to deal with those that are the most difficult and highlight some of the most difficult periods in government--the slave ship, the photograph of immigration in New York City, Founding Mothers, Prohibition, and the Depression. . . . It is the first text I have seen that not only deals exceptionally with the written material presented but uses graphic illustrations to reinforce the written material and make the subject matter both interesting and relevant to the student.
"The text is rigorous and does not cut corners on presenting the nuances and complexities of the concepts and issues being presented."
"It is an exceptional textbook on American national government and one that I believe would be of great value to the student taking a course in this subject. It is exceptionally well-written, comprehensive, incorporates not only traditional material included in an American government text book but also incorporates this material with current issues and promotes critical thinking in the student. In my opinion, this book could not only serve as a textbook for a course but be a valuable reference book that a student could use long after the formal course is over. It highlights the dynamics of government, the issues of the basic belief in the American democratic system while raising the important questions of legitimacy and the need for participation by the student in the future. I would highly recommend this book and think it would meet and exceed the expectations of both an instructor and student.
"I commend some of the photos for the candor by which they address difficult issues that need to be addressed and are avoided in other textbooks. This material prompts course discussion about the difficult issues and events in American national government but, at times, the best way to address American government and democracy is to deal with those that are the most difficult and highlight some of the most difficult periods in government--the slave ship, the photograph of immigration in New York City, Founding Mothers, Prohibition, and the Depression. . . . It is the first text I have seen that not only deals exceptionally with the written material presented but uses graphic illustrations to reinforce the written material and make the subject matter both interesting and relevant to the student.
About the Author
Susan Welch received her A.B. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Professor of Political Science at The Pennsylvania State University. Her teaching and research areas include legislatures, urban politics, and women and minorities in politics. At the 2002 APSA, she and her co-authors, Lee Sigelman, Timothy Bledsoe, and Michael Combs won the 2001 urban politics Best Book Award, for RACE AND PLACE: RACE RELATIONS IN AN AMERICAN CITY (Cambridge University Press, 2001).
John Gruhl, a Professor of Political Science, received his A.B. from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and his Ph.D. from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Since joining the University of Nebraska faculty in 1976, he has taught and done research in the areas of judicial process, criminal justice, and civil rights and liberties. He has campus- and university-wide distinguished teaching awards for excellence in undergraduate teaching and became a charter member of the university's Academy of Distinguished Teachers in 1995.
John Comer is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Nebraska. He received his A.B. in political science from Miami University of Ohio in 1965 and his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in 1971. His teaching and research focus on interest groups, public opinion, voting behavior, and political parties.
Susan M. Rigdon received A.B. and Ph.D. degrees in political science from the University of Illinois in 1966 and 1971. While focusing her teaching in Comparative Politics and IR, she has taught American Government courses at several institutions in the United States and China. Her research interests include culture and politics, security policy, and poverty and development. She is a Research Associate in Anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
John Gruhl, a Professor of Political Science, received his A.B. from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and his Ph.D. from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Since joining the University of Nebraska faculty in 1976, he has taught and done research in the areas of judicial process, criminal justice, and civil rights and liberties. He has campus- and university-wide distinguished teaching awards for excellence in undergraduate teaching and became a charter member of the university's Academy of Distinguished Teachers in 1995.
John Comer is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Nebraska. He received his A.B. in political science from Miami University of Ohio in 1965 and his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in 1971. His teaching and research focus on interest groups, public opinion, voting behavior, and political parties.
Susan M. Rigdon received A.B. and Ph.D. degrees in political science from the University of Illinois in 1966 and 1971. While focusing her teaching in Comparative Politics and IR, she has taught American Government courses at several institutions in the United States and China. Her research interests include culture and politics, security policy, and poverty and development. She is a Research Associate in Anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lot of material; basic principles, history and so on,
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This review is from: Understanding American Government (Hardcover)
I took a course in which the teacher used this manuel and I found it really helpful; pretty much everything is in there: basic principles of the political system with a lot of history (which is really interesting because that helps you to understand and remember what you learned: put things in context) The book is divided in about 15 chapters, each of them on a particular aspect: american society, federalism, justice system, elections, etc.
I think the most important aspect of this book is all the history in each chapters. This book is fine for beginners and for intermediate as well.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
ok- better versions out there,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Understanding American Government, Alternate Edition (Paperback)
The authors have done a rather textbook version of the same information. The previous editions of this book are much more readable and enjoyable.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lots to learn from "Understanding American Government",
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This review is from: Understanding American Government (Hardcover)
This book, being a recently revised edition, presents U.S. Governmental History from a fresh current and unbiased perspective. I recommend every adult citizen to read this book or something like it every 10 years. Let's not forget how and why we do things the way we do.
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founding mothers, surveillance court, minor realignment, fringe media, personal presidency, neutral competence, commercial bias Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Cengage Learning, All Rights Reserved, Supreme Court, United States, White House, New York, African Americans, Civil War, World War, Electoral College, Iraq War, George Washington, Republican Party, President Bush, Warren Court, Bill of Rights, First Amendment, Democratic Party, New Deal, Hillary Clinton, The American System, Barack Obama, John Kerry, Bill Clinton, Rehnquist Court Browse Sample Pages:
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founding mothers, surveillance court, minor realignment, fringe media, personal presidency, neutral competence, commercial bias Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Cengage Learning, All Rights Reserved, Supreme Court, United States, White House, New York, African Americans, Civil War, World War, Electoral College, Iraq War, George Washington, Republican Party, President Bush, Warren Court, Bill of Rights, First Amendment, Democratic Party, New Deal, Hillary Clinton, The American System, Barack Obama, John Kerry, Bill Clinton, Rehnquist Court Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
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