Reviews (7)

Great overview, quick read
Easy reading on the plane to immediately get smart on how the American government and the different branches work.

A reader
I used it as a secondary source in preparing for the CLEP in American Government.I found Cliffs QuickReview of American Government to contain the same information but much more concisely.If you want additional interesting tidbits concerning government then the Idiot's book is for you.However, if you are looking for a prep book for the CLEP exam then get the Cliffs book. Very Good For Clarifying Structure, A Guide For More Study
This simple book is excellent as an introduction to American civics.It begins with the development of our nation's constitution and progresses from there.While some of the areas don't go into enough detail (the Bill of Rights, for example) they do allow the reader to discern structure in our government and identify specific areas for further study. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civics & Citizenship    2. Government - Legislative Branch    3. Government - National    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics and government    7. Politics/International Relations    8. U.S. Government (General)    9. United States    10. Central government    11. Political Science / Civics    12. USA   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Congress    3. Congress.    4. Government - Legislative Branch    5. House    6. Leadership    7. Political Science    8. Political parties    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Politics and government    11. Politics/International Relations    12. United States    13. United States.    14. Political Science / Congress    15. Political structure & processes    16. USA   

Reviews (1)

A New View on Legislative Organization
The core of Krebiel's work is an analysis of the debate between two schools of thought regarding legislative organization, the distributive and informational perspectives. Still, the both paradigms maintain some similarities, most notably their reliance on the rational choice approach.Krebiel illustrates by saying that the legislature is a competitive arena populated by "rational, goal-oriented individuals" (62).
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Subjects:  1. Government - Legislative Branch    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. Politics / Current Events    4. Politics/International Relations    5. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    6. Political Science / General   

Reviews (3)

Help for the budding lobbyist
This is a clearly written introduction to how the legislature works, right down to how to get around the different Congressional buildings. OK, so it's not exactly a graduate poli-sci text but Silverberg is the Editor ofThe Hill, so he's certainly got the credentials to put this book out. Sure wish we'd had this book *before* we'd done our first legislative visit!!

Very good book
This was a Dummies book that didn't look down on me.It had a lot of info on it that was pretty cool.It sure helped me on my AP Government test.Also considering I'm interested in Government, it had a lot of useful ideas to help me write bill proposals and other things to Congress. THE BEST CONGRESS BOOK EVER
If there was ever a book for congress that you had to buy, this is it.In fact, if this was the only book you had to buy, buy this book before any other.It is the Bible of budgets, the Torah of truth, and the Koran of Congress.Read more

Subjects:  1. Congress    2. General    3. Government - Legislative Branch    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. U.S. Congress (General)    8. United States    9. United States.    10. Central government    11. Political Science / Congress    12. USA   

Reviews (7)

Couldn't send it due to bankrupcy or something?
I never got this book though I ended up being refunded.

Congress The Electoral Connection
The goals of individual congressmen have a significant impact on the quality and power of Congress as an institution.The exact role of Congress is a much debated issue but it can be safely stated that at a minimum, Congress is to make quality public policy, which in aggregate, benefits the nation as a whole.The extent to which this is achieved is in large part dependent on the willingness and ability of Congress as a collection of individual goals and desires to strive toward this end. Really?
Mayhew comes to the earth-shaking conclusion that politicians want to be re-elected. Do you really need to read a book to tell you that -- give me a break! This was known by my grandfather who never attended school beyond the third-grade. Save your time and save your money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Congress    2. Elections    3. Government - Legislative Branch    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Political Process - Elections    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. United States.    10. Central government    11. Political Science / General    12. USA   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Government - General    3. Government - Legislative Branch    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Political Science / General   

Reviews (7)

Elegant Description of aTransformation in American Politics
This book provides an elegant description of one of the most important transformations of American politics: the end of the Dixiecrats and the transformation of the Solid South from the Democrats to the Republicans. He importantly connects this with the rise of the power of the caucus and leadership. It also has implications for the crisis of partisanship in Congress. REVIEW
From the Publisher: "Nelson Polsby has been studying, reading about and hanging around the U.S. House of Representatives for more than 40 years. In "How Congress Evolves", he provides the definitive--and often witty-account of how the House has changed over time, and why." Michael Barone, coauthor, "The Almanac of American Politics"

Polsby at his best
"How Congress Evolves" is elegantly written, cogently argued, and politically astute. Nelson Polsby gives his readers the benefit of four decades and more of immersion in and observation of Congress, along with his penetrating insights into politics, people, and institutions, and a writing style that is at once accessible and sophisticated. Novices and experts, students and practitioners, scholars and journalists, all will learn immensely about how the House of Representatives works and how it changes."--Norman Ornstein, American Enterprise Institute ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Congress    3. Congress.    4. Government - Legislative Branch    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. History    7. House    8. Political Process - Elections    9. Political Science    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. United States    13. United States.    14. Central government    15. History of specific subjects    16. Political Science / Congress    17. Political structure & processes    18. Politics | American Politics | Legislative Studies    19. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    20. USA   

Reviews (1)

An American Temple
I used to think that the United States Government Printing Office was responsible for putting out lots and lots of documents only politicians and lawyers might find interesting, as well as pamphlets on home canning, fallout shelter design, and other arts.I was thus delighted to find that this government branch has produced a quite beautiful volume, _History of the United States Capitol: A Chronicle of Design, Construction, and Politics_ by William C. Allen.It even has a publication note: "106th Congress, 2d Session / Senate Document 106-29 / Printed pursuant to H. Con. Res. 221," but don't be put off by this.It may be an official US Government publication, but it is a large format book of almost five hundred glossy pages, it is well illustrated, and it is written with no touch of bureaucratese.Cynics alert: the government can do some things very well.Read more

Subjects:  1. Government - Legislative Branch    2. History    3. History - U.S.    4. History: American    5. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    6. United States - General    7. United States - State & Local - Middle Atlantic    8. Travel / United States / South / South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV)   

Reviews (9)

Extraordinary Case for a New Independent Party

A Must read about Congress. The Scum!
Short and sweet. Will confirm your worst fears.Leo Hamel

An Important Book for Citizens of Our Republic
Dr. Coburn provides an in-depth look at how the Congress works; and, as importantly, offers specific recommendations as to how thesystem can be revitalized to reflect the founding fathers' original plan for providing government by and for the people, run by citizen representatives rather than career politicians.Great work, Dr. Coburn! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bureaucracy    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Political Issues    3. Government - Legislative Branch    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Political Process - Leadership    6. Political Science    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Public administration    10. United States    11. Current Events    12. Political Science / Congress   

Reviews (39)

Hillary-mania : A wonderful thing!
Whatever Hillary Clinton says and does is perfectly alright with me! If Hillary says it, then it's the truth. Hillary is perfect in every way! I love Hillary so very much!

Great book about a big liar
R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. should be given a lot of thanks for exposing the liar named Hillary Rodham.
Swing and a miss, a good article expanded to a book
Plainly stated, I was disappointed with this book.I am certainly part of the target audience for this book, being pretty disgusted with the Clinton duo.However, what I hoped for was a factual tome of the flaws, failings, and deceit of the junior senator from NY.What I got was a repetetive, smarmy, and poorly constructed screed against her that offered little new information and was so partisan in tone that it became untrustworthy even as a source of dirt. Authors on both sides of the political debate need to realize that too snippy a tone tends to turn off the average reader.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Clinton, Hillary Rodham    4. Ethics    5. First Ladies    6. Government - Legislative Branch    7. Legislators    8. Political    9. Political Process - Leadership    10. Political Science    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Presidents' spouses    13. U.S. Senate    14. United States    15. Women    16. Women And Politics    17. Women legislators    18. Biography & Autobiography    19. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    20. Political Science / Leadership    21. Political leaders & leadership    22. USA   

Reviews (2)

A classic work
Fenno's Home Style may have since been surpassed by some of his own work, but the original is still the best, in my humble opinion.Fenno traveled with congressmen from around the country and examined how they interact with their constituents while "at home" and out of the Beltway.His findings are a must-read for anyone interested in politics, Congress, and the legislative process.
Analysis and Adnecdotes
Homestyle is easy to read and full of wonderful examples of how Congressmen relate to their districts.Based upon Fenno's extensive travels with and interviews of eight different Congressmen, it is a mustfor anyone interested in understanding American politics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Congress    2. Congress.    3. Constituent communication    4. General    5. Government - Legislative Branch    6. House    7. Legislators    8. Political Science    9. Political campaigns    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. United States    13. United States.    14. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    15. Political Science / General   

Reviews (1)

Goes beyond public opinion and into social constructs
I read the book for the first time as a student of public opinion in Singapore where the issue, because of government policies, is very restricted and controlled. Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Government - Legislative Branch    3. Political Science    4. Politics/International Relations    5. Sociology    6. Sociology - General    7. Public opinion & polls    8. USA   

Reviews (5)

Very enjoyable, anecdotal book by the late, great Tip O'Neill
I really enjoyed this book---it made me appreciate the late, great Tip O'Neill even more. The book is well written (and reads like the author speaks) and provides good, easy-to-understand information on political life in Boston and Washington. In particular, the info. on the Kennedys is first rate. Do yourself a favor: get this asap.

Tip O'Neill is the Speaker of the House and the Speaker of Random House
Tip O'Neill was a great politician and you can feel this though his writing. This book covers Kennedy, LBJ, Vietnam, Watergate, the Carter White House, and The Regan White House in one book. He is an amazing writer. He was a true peoples Democrat. I belive that the Democrats will never win congress back until they look back on his philosophy that "All politics is locale."

Excellent for Young Aspriring Politicians
I recently received this book as a gift from an older, wiser cousin after I asked for something to help me learn a bit more about the politics of our nation.It was superb.I found it difficult to put down and it has inspired me to seek out more political memoirs and learn more about the infamous politicans that have made their mark on Washington.Tip O'Neill is a magnificent story teller and his honest opinions make the book that much more true to life.I highly recommend it to anyone, young or old, looking for a good book with a lot of class. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Congress    4. Congress.    5. House    6. Legislators    7. O'Neill, Tip    8. U.S. House Of Representatives    9. United States    10. United States.    11. Biography & Autobiography / General    12. Politics & government    13. USA   

Reviews (1)

Environmental Policymaking inn Congress
This is a great book if you are interested in how environmental policy is made in Congress.It is a sholarly book that also provides practitioners useful information about their impact on the Great Lakes, wetlands and wildlife. It is the most comprehensive piece of well researched and clearly written literature on environmental policymaking to date.The author is thorough in providing description with the book beginning in 1789-current. Certainly a must read for anyone who is a policymaker, student, scholar or has a serious interest in the environment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Environmental Policy    3. Government - Legislative Branch    4. Legislative hearings    5. Political Science    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Public Policy - General    9. U.S. Congress (General)    10. United States    11. Central government policies    12. Conservation of the environment    13. Political Science / General    14. USA   

Subjects:  1. Committees    2. Congress.    3. General    4. Government - Legislative Branch    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. House    7. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    8. Political Science    9. Political parties    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. United States    13. United States.    14. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    15. Political Science / General    16. Political structure & processes   

Subjects:  1. Campaign funds    2. Congress    3. Elections    4. Government - Legislative Branch    5. Political Process - Elections    6. Political Process - General    7. Political Science    8. Political action committees    9. Political campaigns    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Politics/International Relations    12. U.S. Congress (General)    13. U.S. Practical Politics    14. United States    15. Central government    16. Political campaigning & advertising    17. USA   

Reviews (8)

Shallowness of intellect is scary
The Speaker would be a great neighbor.I'm sure his friends, family, and neighbors are extremely proud of the Speaker and rightly so.He is a good man, the salt of the earth, but he is also a lightweight that has allowed politics over principal to prevail in the House he runs.
You really don't know all this man has accomplished
It seems to me that we overweight the past with a significance it never had when it was the present.Certain events seem more to have a more straight line connection and they are remembered and most else is forgotten or temporarily put aside in our memories until needed to create a new explanation of how we arrived in the present.I bring this up because it is easy to remember the Tip O'Neill or the Sam Rayburn as significant Speakers of the House and to dismiss Denny Hastert, but I think that would be a real mistake.
A Speaker, Not A Writer

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Subjects:  1. 1942-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. General    5. Government - Legislative Branch    6. Hastert, Dennis,    7. Illinois    8. Legislators    9. Political    10. Political Science    11. Politics/International Relations    12. U.S. House Of Representatives    13. United States    14. Wrestling coaches    15. Biography: general    16. Central government    17. Political Science / General    18. Political leaders & leadership    19. USA   

Subjects:  1. Congress    2. Government - Legislative Branch    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. United States    8. United States.    9. Political structure & processes    10. USA   

Editorial Review

Despite the book's title, and its gushing dedication to her daughter Susan Ruby, ("I think of you, and I thank God (and my own mother)"), former congresswoman Susan Molinari's Read more

Reviews (2)

Ms. Molinari and her climb to the top
This book is an interesting look into how my former U.S. Representive spent her time. Susan talks about all the obstacles she had to overcome.But what other job in the world would allow its members to bring children to work and allow one to dress like a bag lady? It's too bad that Susan had to wait until she was re-elected to decide that her dream job would be a T.V. anchor. Representive Mom and her climb to the top was a real let down.

this book is very upbeat and amazingly non-partison
Representative mom is a look at the amazing life so far of one of americas former brightest political stars.Susan Molinari tells us her well wishers how and why she gave up a very promising career and future as an american politcian, and maybe even the first female president.She tells about growing up in politics, being the only Republican on the New York City council.Ms. Molinari lets the american people in on the magic that happens when you are a member of the House of Representatives. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Congress    6. Government - Legislative Branch    7. Legislators    8. Molinari, Susan    9. Political    10. U.S. House Of Representatives    11. United States    12. Women    13. Women And Politics    14. Women legislators    15. Women politicians    16. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (1)

Thoroughly wonderful
This book, is one I bought for my Human Rights class. It is very clear and thorough. The chapters are not long, and each case shows both point of views so it comes off as neutral. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Financial    2. Criminal Law - General    3. Government - Legislative Branch    4. Law    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Jurisprudence & General Issues    7. Law / Criminal Law