boring but big review

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(as of Jan 07, 2025 15:07:14 UTC - Details)

“Engaging and inspiring . . . Reading this book should make you want to vote.”—Barack Obama

Jobs, health care, energy, civil literties, and more more are on the ballot again. In a world of sound bites, deliberate misinformation, and a political scene colored by the blue versus red partisan divide, how does the average educated American find a reliable source that’s free of political spin? What You Should Know About Politics . . . But Don’t breaks it all down, issue by issue, explaining who stands for what, and why—whether it’s the economy, income inequality, Obamacare, foreign policy, education, immigration, or climate change. If you’re a Democrat, a Republican, or somewhere in between, it’s the perfect book to brush up on a single topic or read through to get a deeper understanding of the often mucky world of American politics. Table of Contents:

Introduction to the Third Edition, by Naomi Wolf
Preface
An Introduction to Political Affiliations
Elections
The Economy
Foreign Policy
The Military
Health Care
Energy
The Environment
Civil Liberties
Culture Wars
Socioeconomic Policy
Homeland Security
Education
Trade

This is an essential volume for understanding the background to the 2016 presidential election. But it is also a book that transcends the season. It’s truly for anyone who wants to know more about the perennial issues that will continue to affect our everyday lives. The third edition includes an introduction by Naomi Wolf discussing the themes and issues that have come to the fore during the present presidential cycle.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Arcade; Third edition (May 17, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 408 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1628726725
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1628726725
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.06 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
Reviewer: Joshua Rodgers
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Should Be Titled: American Election User Guide
Review: Excellent book. I purchased this book with the intention of becoming better acquainted with the pertinent issues of the 2016 election. This desire came about after realizing the extreme degree to which news media force feeds the public the ideas that should concern them. It's as though people have become unable to think for themselves, resulting in deep divides among citizens who otherwise have nearly everything in common over issues of little consequence to their daily lives. I felt myself slipping into this pattern, and so I decided to try and educate myself somewhat on how government really works.To put it simply, I could not put this book down once I began reading. There is a lot of information here and normally that would make it all a bit difficult to absorb and retain. However, I found that this was not the case here, in that much of the information relates to matters that are either popular topics or have received considerable media coverage, and the reading serves to provide the background to these stories that is so often missing in popular understanding of political topics. A perfect example of this is the explanation of events leading up to the Iraq War. I was in junior high school at the time and I remember the mood of the country during that period. I thought I understood how and why popular opinion of the conflict had shifted, but after reading a more comprehensive overview of these events, many of the questions or confusion I had about what went on in that period became obvious. It was like reliving those days with new eyes. This was the case with many of the issues discussed in this book; it was like one continuous stream of "a-ha" moments, which is why although dense, the info was not at all hard to retain.My only critique is the occurrence of two typos, several chapters apart, that make the meanings of a couple of sentences unclear. Both are so obvious however, that it is immediately recognized that a mistake was made.Lastly, I have to commend the author for maintaining a neutral, very academic perspective throughout the book. There is no political slant whatsoever. The author manages to present each issue from all points of view equally and without criticism. Where popular criticism of a piece of legislation or a political position is discussed, it is discussed from the perspective of each party with the respective positions of that party outlined without bias.Everyone should be required to read this book (or listen to it read) before they are allowed to vote. I think many people have no idea what their chosen political parties' ideologies and beliefs actually are. When you read the totality of its official platform and see the evidence of those beliefs presented in the form of somewhat obscure but nonetheless significant legislation supported by the elected officials of the organization, it can be something of a wake-up call as to the importance of being an informed voter. I was surprised that some of my own beliefs don't match those of my party and actually found some of my ideas being challenged numerous times as I read. The nuances of these belief systems are critical to the effects that policy decisions will have on voters' lives. I was unaware of the degree to which this is true before this book. I walked away wondering whether it is actually possible to be well informed and still identify wholely with a single political party as most people do.

Reviewer: Obubba Binetin Bakon
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Makes for great bathroom "reading".
Review: Its a book. It has lots of words in it. If you actually read it you may learn something. If you don't read it you can still use the pages for toilet paper, kindling or to roll up and whack your dog with. You can use the whole item as a projectile or as a wedge for a shelf or table, or any other myriad of creative uses. The book does not appear to have many pictures in it. Not sure. I ordered it for my kid, who probably is not reading it either, and may not even be utilizing in any other of its potential ways. its probably just collecting dust under his dresser. I think i saw his mother waving it over her head the other day while shouting at him, so maybe she has gotten an opportunity to us it as a projectile. I personally prefer hard cover books for this. I like the kinda solid resounding Thunk and Whack sound a hardcover gives you. Paperbacks are just kind of wussy and mushy sounding. Actually, rolled up magazines are pretty amazing. You can achieve a great effect with one that is even better than the hard cover. And, except for the glossy pages the toilet paper sheets are larger. THe glossy sheets tend to just kinda smear the poo, not really wipe it. Newspaper is good for this too, but the news print ink gets all over you hands and, um... parts. so, really, this exact kinda book is just the perfect shape and size for TP. Not too big, not too small. Good quality non smearable ink. A good fit as it were. Also, Given that this appears to be some kind of book about politics, its really the perfect KIND of book to use for this sort of application as well. One hypothesizes that with all the hot air that is probably spewed about in its pages that it could be used to WIPE and DRY!! lol. Thats a little bathroom humor there. So anyway,... I've got nothing here. really. Drawing a blank at what to say that i havn't already, so I'm gonna just leave it at that.

Reviewer: 1/2d
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: This book helped me understand the news better!
Review: Jessamyn Conrad does a very nice job identifying and describing some of the most important political and cultural topics of this decade. For each topic, Conrad provides background information about the issue at hand and the players that surround it, sometimes going back several decades. This background was essential in helping me weave a narrative (in my mind) and be better equipped to formulate a position.The book touches on 13 topics in a little less than 400 pages. With approximately 30 pages per topic, the book is not at risk of being boring, especially because the topics are independent of each other.As for the subtitle, Conrad limits her narrative to providing the main viewpoints around each topic, and the arguments presented by opposing parties. She doesn’t adjudicate the upper hand (ethical or logical) to any particular position. So, in my opinion, it checks the nonpartisan box.The one thing missing perhaps is a complete update of the 13 topics, and perhaps the addition of new ones… things changed on January 20, 2017! This is the third edition, published in 2016, when Obama was still president.In sum, if you’re looking to build or strengthen your blueprint of current American politics, read this book… and buy the fourth edition when it comes out.

Reviewer: Mr.Wiggims
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Well written book that everyone should read whether you're into politics or not!

Reviewer: Monteil Bruno
Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Good introduction to contemporary policy issues. However, it is misleading to claim that the book is updated every four years. The last meaningful update of the book dates back from 2012 and recent developments are clearly missing and should be added (e.g. Clean Power Plan, SCOTUS decisions on gay marriage...).

Reviewer: Interested Buyer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I chose my 5 rating because I never felt that I was being guided. I like to make up my own mind, once I have as much information as possible from all perspectives. This book delivered!

Reviewer: Gfanal
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Loin d'un pamphlet politique, c'est une sorte de manuel de l'usager de la politique américaine, avec un effort louable pour présenter le bon et le mauvais des diverses institutions, pratiques et idéologies. M'a surtout été utile pour comprendre ce qui se passait à la fin de l'ère Trump.

Reviewer: francois veilleux
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Verry good explanation of all politic department!Really help understand where each parti stand.I recommend that book to anyone!