Reviews (38)

"Let us march against Bush, the corporate media, and the complacent Democrats"
Mark Crispin Miller's eye-opening FOOLED AGAIN is not a book to enjoy and then lend to a neighbor.Rather, FOOLED AGAIN is a call to action.When Aeschines spoke, they said, "How well he speaks."But when Demosthenes spoke, they said, "Let us march against Philip."
Fooled Again
Wonderful and at the same time frightening.A must read by
Let's be brief.Pick a reasonBush defeated Kerry.
Here's one.You live in southeastern Ohio and you have one issue that is vital to the survival of the United States.
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Subjects:  1. (George Walker),    2. 1946-    3. 1989-    4. 2001-    5. Bush, George W.    6. General    7. Government - Executive Branch    8. Political Corruption    9. Political Process - Elections    10. Political Science    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics and government    13. Politics/International Relations    14. U.S. Presidential Elections    15. United States    16. United States - 21st Century    17. 21st century    18. Elections & referenda    19. USA   

Reviews (3)

will not age well
[A review of the 7th Edition, 2004.]
The Subtleties of the Left
Patterson's American Democracy is engaging and accessible for Intro students in pol sci. But the text also reflects the pervasive and, apparently never-ending, influence of the Left in the academe. For instance, It is depressing and occasionally infuriating to soon discover that all examples of political peccadillos in US government included by the author in this text are of alleged Republican missteps or viciousness in government. A howler is his citing of bias on the right in Fox news, but without corresponding acknowledgement of a similar left bias in MSNB and CNN. For the intro student not attuned to the fiery partisanship of the current climate of US politics, Patterson's habits of quickly passing over these examples as if their accuracy was beyond dispute will be politically effective. But contemptible.

POL 201: american political systems
This was the text used for my introductory poly-sci class. This book is one of the better texts I've been required to read. It's very concise and easy to understand, but doesn't talk down to the student. A wonderfulreference and overview. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. Government - National    3. Political Science    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Politics/International Relations    6. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    7. Political Science / Government / National   

Reviews (1)

American Government: Continuity and Change
While this textbook may seem inexpensive, you must also purchase an internet code to use along with it. They don't tell you this when you buy the book. As for the book itself, it's a hassle to keep together. Thumbs down. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. General    3. Political Science    4. Politics - Current Events    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics and government    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Texas    9. United States    10. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    11. Political Science / General    12. USA   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Executives    4. Business ethics    5. Business/Economics    6. Corporate governance    7. Corporations    8. Directors of corporations    9. Entrepreneurship    10. Industries - General    11. Leadership    12. Management - General    13. 21st century    14. Business & Economics / Leadership    15. Central government    16. Political leaders & leadership   

Editorial Review

According to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, America currently faces five threats that could undermine, if not eliminate, the United States if immediate steps are not taken to correct them. The threats as he sees them are Islamic terrorists and rogue dictatorships armed with nuclear or biological weapons; the removal of God from American public life; a loss of patriotism and sense of America's history; a decline in economic supremacy because of poor science and math education; and the increasing budgetary burden of Social Security and Medicare. To tackle these problems, Gingrich offers his "21st Century Contract with America," which he outlines in great detail in this bold and thought-provoking book. His updated contract, which comes a decade after the original Republican Contract with America that marked the high point of Gingrich's national power, calls for a dramatically simplified tax code that favors savings and investment; government investment in science and technology, particularly regarding space, energy, and the environment; transforming Social Security into personal savings accounts; overhauling the civil justice system to reduce the burden of lawsuits; and updating the federal government, including the privatization of some functions, so that it moves at the speed and effectiveness of the information age. And that's just the beginning. He also calls for tripling the size of America's intelligence community, reforming its election system, developing a more intelligent health care system that creates jobs and increases quality of life, and balancing the federal budget. Read more

Reviews (72)

Common Sense
Newt Gingrich presents common sense solutions to the pressing issues of our day in a clear concise and easily understood manner.This book should be required reading for all civics and history classes in high school and college.If the policies Dr. Gingrich proposes could be implemented, the US would not only become the shining city on a hill, it would also become, far and away, the world's most powerful economy throughout the next fifty years with prosperity for all Americans who chose to join the ownership society he envisions.

NEWT '08
I long ago gave up on both mainstream American political parties, and do NOT cast my vote for candidates on whether they have a "D" or an "R" behind their name (and it's usually a vote for the lesser of two evils), but I have long been fascinated by the voracious intellect and diversity of issues that the former US Representative from Georgia has addressed throughout his public career; and this book is no different. From taxes, healthcare and defense to God in the marketplace of ideas, former Speaker Gingrich not only points out a plethora of challenges facing America (both today, and in the future), but, unlike most politicians, he offers bold and thoughtful ideas for addressing these problems before its to late.
This man is a visionary and a genius
If only Washington could embrace the ideas laid out in this book.
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Subjects:  1. 2001-    2. Conservatism    3. Economic Policy    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics and government    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Public Policy - Economic Policy    11. Public Policy - General    12. Public Policy - Social Policy    13. Social Policy    14. United States    15. Political Science / Political Parties   

Reviews (2)

Good book for understanding US Law and preparing Law School
I am from South Korea and now living in Indiana, USA. This book has been Affirmative Action chapters worth the price of book
In the shadow of the upcoming Supreme Court decision concerning affirmative action, I wanted to do some research on the issue. This books treatment is excellant. There are detailed articles about the Bakke and Hopwood cases. There's a summary of the Harvard's affirmitive action policy which was praised by the Supreme Court in the Bakke case as an excellant policy. An article opposing all civil rights laws followed by an artcile that justifies affirmative action are both thought provoking. There is also an intersting article about various ways to look at equality and fairness in treating your children in different situations.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Interpretation and construction    3. Law    4. Legal System    5. Philosophy    6. United States    7. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (1)

College Textbook
While the text offers important thought provoking articles and essays on Race Gender and Social Issues, it is not Student friendly text. A text with such a wide array of information should offer a section of review at the end of each reading. By having a review "for students", it ensures an understanding of concepts and objectives. Furthermore, it offers students a place to review when studying for exams. I give the text a 5 star rating for the informative articles and essays but 1 star for none existing review material. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1980-    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Ethnic Studies - General    5. Gender Studies    6. Government - National    7. Pluralism (Social sciences)    8. Social Science    9. Social conditions    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - General    12. United States    13. Social Science / Sociology / General    14. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (119)

An argument for "noblesse obliege"
Dr. Zakaria's _The Future of Freedom_ is both brilliant and disturbing.There is much that I agree with in his analysis of democracy - that a strong and vibrant middle class is necessary in order for a genuine democracy to exist and flourish andthat a free-market economy is instrumental in supporting democratic institutions (and vice-versa).However, I was disturbed by the larger argument Zakaria makes - that democratic institutions need un-democratic safeguards to protect it from the fickle will of the people.
Brilliant
Fareed Zakaria is an excellent foreign policy analyst and this book is no different.He argues that without a strong middle class, democracy is doomed to fail, and in fact can make things worse.One cannot help to see what is happening in the middle east right now, where oil-rich nations elect terrorist-supporting officials.Contrary to the Bush doctrine, forced-upon democracy is not the answer to our world's greatest threat.A must-read.

Forget Democracy - Your Betters Should Rule
The author is a journalist, but he seems straight out of the Chamber of Commerce or a right-wing think tank. Like business elites, the author basically does not particularly like democracy. In his view societies should be run by elites from several areas - even authoritarians if needed. He is a proponent of constitutional liberalism, based on laws, rights, especially property rights, separation of powers, with much of that power being held in unelected bodies, and most of all free-market capitalism. He finds that set of conditions to be far more important than the exercise of democracy. His low regard for democracy is easily seen in his minimal interest in the manner in which a society of laws is created or even its exact nature and who benefits. Most in the West do care. Rights and legal systems are not neutral: the manner of construction determines relative winners and empowerment.
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Subjects:  1. Democracy    2. Freedom    3. Liberty    4. Philosophy    5. Political Freedom & Security - General    6. Political Ideologies - Democracy    7. Political Science    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Political science & theory    11. Political structures: democracy   

Reviews (48)

Gore those sacred cows!
The dark side is revealed! Our national hubris is spotlighted in this gutsy expose' of things we don't talk about as "loyal Americans." As in most cases of blind loyalty, this is a perfect breeding ground for our shadow side as Americans. Hat's off to Berman for blowing the whistle on some of the traits we export as "the American Way." While it may be painful or embarrassing in the short-term, we will be a far healthier nation in the long-term if we are willing to look at ourselves candidly and truthfully. Kudos to the author for guts and frankness.

Strongly argued, if not sometimes unscholarly
Morris Berman's Dark Ages America was a mixed bag for me.I found his analyses and critique of corporate culture and degenerating morals and values in American culture as well thought out and superbly argued, for the most part having strong supporting evidence to back up his claims.I find citing sources such as Jay Leno and Seinfeld as a bit unscholarly, however, even if they superficially serve to bolster his points.Also, much of his statistical evidence is too general.He speaks about world economics and U.S. foreign and domestic policy very broadly for the most part, and much of it resonated with me and rang as true, but many of the arguments presented in each chapter could very well be expanded into a book of their own.I think a holistic critique of American society is quite an auspicious undertaking, and I cannot fault him for his end result, however the repeated usage of terms (for example, his references to Bush as an 'anti-intellectual bafoon') and the like serve to give the book a tone I found unneccesarily condescending, or at least much more heavily opinionated and not relying as much on hard, factual evidence as it could have been.Let it be said that I agree with most of his critique of the Bush administration, I just think it could have been handled all the more scholarly, not sugar-coating the subjects discussed, but overall increasing the amount of legitimacy and resonation that he was attempting to get across without using such brash terminology. All of what I just wrote sounds like I didn't like the book, but my rating shows I enjoyed it for what it is, and I look forward to reading his backlog of previous releases.I sincerely hope that the current state of the U.S. improves, and that Berman is proven overly pessimistic in his overall critique, but as he argues, our decline may be irreversible.We shall see.

Many good oberservations, but too much liberal tripe and many poorly supported assertions.
Many good oberservations, but too much liberal tripe and many poorly supported assertions.
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Subjects:  1. 1970-    2. 1980-    3. 2001-    4. Civilization    5. Economic Conditions    6. Government - National    7. History - General History    8. History - U.S.    9. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    10. Political Science    11. Politics and government    12. Politics/International Relations    13. Social conditions    14. United States    15. United States - 21st Century    16. Miscellaneous Items    17. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    18. Political Science / Economic Conditions   

Reviews (1)

The first sensible book on the subject
With the "war" generating more harsh rhetoric and more flying spittle by the day, here's the first book that dares to tell the truth: the metaphor doesn't fit.The prosecution of the war on terror makes about as much sense as trying to fight the war on poverty by sending tanks into West Virginia.
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Subjects:  1. History - U.S.    2. Political Freedom & Security - International Secur    3. Political Freedom & Security - Terrorism    4. Political Science    5. Politics/International Relations    6. Prevention    7. Public Policy - General    8. Terrorism    9. United States    10. United States - 21st Century    11. War on Terrorism, 2001-    12. International relations    13. Political Science / International Security    14. Terrorism, freedom fighters, armed struggle   

Reviews (15)

Good job
Good job getting merchandise to me in great condition.Would buy again.

Neither for dummies, nor comprehensive on the politics
Having only read the first few chapters, I was somewhat hesitant to submit a review for this book. Ultimately I decided that, notwithstanding, I had some worthwhile comments to put forward which may be of use to other potential readers.
Slightly flawed, but a good place to start
I would simply like to state that the premise of lower-class whites primarily voting as democrats is way off base.The fact is, white males with a high school diploma or less vote republican, college grads generally vote democrat, and anything above that is generally split.Typically those in the lower class have either a high school diploma or less and thus vote republican.Trust me, I do this for a living.While this book is lightly flawed in some areas and does leave some critical areas untouched, I feel that it is a great primer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Political Process - Elections    3. Political Science    4. Political Science (General)    5. Politics    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics and government    8. Politics, Practical    9. Politics/International Relations    10. United States    11. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    12. Political Science / General   

Reviews (6)

It works!
I studied the Cliff Notes American Government book and Microsoft Encarta for 2 weeks and got a 68 on the CLEP. This book has got it all covered for you.
Almost perfect
I used this book as my ONLY study guide for the CLEP test of the same title.
Great for CLEP
I used this book to study for the American Government CLEP.I easily passed.I support what the other reviewers have said exactly- this book covers almost everything on the exam but a few questions and it does not contain much extra information that you don't need to know.Easy to read.Easy to understand. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Book Notes    2. Civics & Citizenship    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Study Aids    5. Study Guides    6. Education    7. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    8. Political Science / Government / General    9. USA   

Reviews (2)

On conditions for democracy
Having read this book, I understand why Linz has gained international reputation. (As an example, he was made honorary doctor at The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Oslo, Norway, 2000.) This book is written in an engaging way, with lots of interesting information. Its clear structure and quite simple language also makes it easy to read. Those believing that political science is "heavy, dry and dull" will probably change their minds if they read "Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation". Personally, I found the chapters on South America very enlightening. The book gives information about how citizens view "democracy" in the respective countries, and the challenges each country faces in terms of democratic transition and consolidation. I agree with the first reviewer that this book is a must-have for all interested in the countries in question or political science in general. (Having just finished my dissertation in political science, I've read my share of less interesting and poorly written works!)

A clear and concise presentation
This is the book for everyone looking for the ultimate answer to the questions regarding democratic transitions in the east as well as in the west. Although somewhat fuzzy and unclear in the theoretical outline it does offer some serious answers as well as questions on the democratization waves in former communist countries and dictatorships all over the planet. This is a must for all political scientists as well as those with inclination towards contemporary political subjects. This will be a standard opus on this subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Democracy    3. Europe, Southern    4. Government - Comparative    5. History    6. Political Ideologies - Democracy    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. South America    10. Constitution: government & the state    11. Eastern Europe    12. Political science & theory    13. Political structures: democracy    14. Southern Europe   

Reviews (1)

I shot this book then burned what was left
I was forced to read this book for the written portion of my Sergeant promotional exam.I have a BA in Criminal Justice and a BA in Psychology.This is the worst textbook I have ever read. The authors have so little information to impart, that they quote themselves from other chapters! After sifting through the c_ _ p in this book, I now have a clear understanding of what community policing actually is:People are too stupid to fix their own problems and are unable to rely on their elected leaders, so the police must pick up the slack.In this book, you could just as easily substitute Mail Woman, Garbage Man, or Cable TV Repairman for Police Man.As you read, you find out that you have been a terrible police officer.Further, the only way to fix yourself is to read this book and internalize its junk.Simply put, community policing is a way for your department to get federal funding.Next time someone asks you to fix a social problem, tell them that their elected local representative, home owner's association, town council, or governer is responsible for those concerns, not the police.Though, you will be glad to lock up their neighbor for kicking his dog. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Community policing    3. Criminal Procedure    4. Criminology    5. Police-community relations    6. Political Science    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Public Policy - Social Policy    9. Sociology    10. United States    11. Law / Criminal Procedure    12. Police & security services   

Reviews (2)

Good Graduate Level Text
This was a required text book for one of the classes in my master of public administration program (MPA).I found it to be extremely useful for understanding both the historical evolution of public administration and the current practice. The emphasis on the (sometimes conflicting) managerial, legal, and political perspectives of each aspect of public administration works nicely if you are also learning the Hamiltonian, Madisonian, and Jeffersonian perspectives on the founding of the government.I always find it useful to understand and remember how things work if I get a good explanation of why it is so--this book does a good job of balancing the how/why.
Public Administration
Public Administration: Understanding Management, Politics, and Law in the Public Sector is a textbook that explicitly examines and explains the three major issues of public administration: management, politics, and law.Itis an excellent text for advanced undergraduate or graduate students.Inaddition, this book identifies the differences in roles involved in publicadministration.For example, it describes the difference between themanagerial and leadership roles in delivering public services.Itdiscusses the traditional management style versus the New Public Managementstyle in dealing with accountability on the part of administration, as wellas the public. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Political Science    2. Politics / Current Events    3. Politics and government    4. Politics/International Relations    5. Public Administration    6. Public Affairs & Administration    7. United States    8. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    9. Political Science / Public Affairs & Administration   

Reviews (1)

Strengthen your legal vocabulary in seriousness and fun
This is an excellent resource for law students, paralegals, legal secretaries and law clerks.Each chapter shows the words in use and gives real-world explanations of the terms.At the end of each chapter there are true/false, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and crossword puzzle exercises to test your knowledge.This book covers just about all the major areas of law:criminal, civil, torts, bankruptcy, property, wills/estate... you name it.I swear by this book - it really helped me in pre-law.At many colleges, this book is standard. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business Law    3. General    4. Law    5. Law (General)    6. Legal System    7. Terminology    8. United States    9. Law / General    10. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Subjects:  1. Citizen participation    2. Evaluation    3. General    4. Policy sciences    5. Political Science    6. Political planning    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Public Affairs & Administration    10. United States    11. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Reviews (2)

Geat book!
This book is a great book full of cases to help you learn how some of our nation's laws came into effect.

Great book, clear and concise
Government text, and writings, and so on, can be very difficult to understand, but this book clearly explains what the text means, it also is organized greatly, I would recommend this book to anybody wanting a littleextra knowledge about US Government ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. General    3. Poetry    4. Political Science    5. Politics and government    6. Politics/International Relations    7. United States    8. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    9. Political Science / General    10. USA   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Measurement    5. Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    6. Nonprofit organizations    7. Organizational effectiveness    8. Performance    9. Public Affairs & Administration    10. Public administration    11. Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    12. Civil service & public sector    13. Non-profitmaking organizations    14. Personnel & human resources management    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. Government - National    2. History    3. History: American    4. Religion, Politics & State    5. United States - 21st Century