Rating: 
Summary: A reader
Review: 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.This is not to say that the Idiot's book is bad. It is a good book that is packed with information.
Rating:
Summary: A reader
Review: I used it as a secondary source preparing for the CLEP in Americn 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. This is not to say that the Idiot's book is bad. It is a good book that is packed with information.
Rating:
Summary: What? You didn't take Civics in high school??
Review: I went to a private high school that did not offer a course explaining the structure and function of the US government. I'm in my twenties and I live in Washington, DC. I was feeling like the BIGGEST idiot in town. This book did its job; it outlined the federal government, it discussed local government, and it presented the complexity of the three branches of government in detail that helped me to understand current events on a deeper level. It could have been better. Some aspects of the Bill of Rights were not explained very well. And once or twice I felt that the book was trying to tell me which politics to agree with (e.g. during discussions of supreme court precedent cases and during the definitions of "republican" and "democrat"). Overall, however, it was an easy read and there were lots of interesting facts. For example, the first woman elected to congress, the longest filibuster in history, and how many times certain constitutional amendments were proposed before they passed. This book will not provide a cure for "politicians don't care about my vote" depression, but it cures ignorance with facts and provides encouragement by explaining how individuals can get involved in running the country, at least on a local level. I now feel ready (and even eager!) to read more complicated texts. Also, I feel that my vote is just a little more meaningful than before, now that I actually know what I'm voting for and why I am voting.
Rating:
Summary: What? You didn't take Civics in high school??
Review: I went to a private high school that did not offer a course explaining the structure and function of the US government. I'm in my twenties and I live in Washington, DC. I was feeling like the BIGGEST idiot in town. This book did its job; it outlined the federal government, it discussed local government, and it presented the complexity of the three branches of government in detail that helped me to understand current events on a deeper level. It could have been better. Some aspects of the Bill of Rights were not explained very well. And once or twice I felt that the book was trying to tell me which politics to agree with (e.g. during discussions of supreme court precedent cases and during the definitions of "republican" and "democrat"). Overall, however, it was an easy read and there were lots of interesting facts. For example, the first woman elected to congress, the longest filibuster in history, and how many times certain constitutional amendments were proposed before they passed. This book will not provide a cure for "politicians don't care about my vote" depression, but it cures ignorance with facts and provides encouragement by explaining how individuals can get involved in running the country, at least on a local level. I now feel ready (and even eager!) to read more complicated texts. Also, I feel that my vote is just a little more meaningful than before, now that I actually know what I'm voting for and why I am voting.
Rating: 
Summary: A comprehensive guide
Review: This book provided a lot of essential information about the American Government and how it functions.
Rating: 
Summary: I didn't think it was that good
Review: this book was alright. There are better books. Personally, I like Congress for Dummies a lot more. Besides, this book didn't help me on the CLEP test at all
Rating:
Summary: I didn't think it was that good
Review: this book was alright. There are better books. Personally, I like Congress for Dummies a lot more. Besides, this book didn't help me on the CLEP test at all
Rating:
Summary: A reader
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good For Clarifying Structure, A Guide For More Study
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Good for CLEP test
Review: This was the only American Government that covered most of the subjects for the American Government CLEP test. Unlike a lot of idiot books, this one is well written and doesn't talk down to you. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to get a better grip on what's going on in Washington, and WHY.
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