American Government 2e by Krutz, Glen
2020 / 654 pgs. Political Science/Textbook

American Government2e is a textbook for PSC-1030. Another Community College class that I will be teaching in the fall. Like previously, I needed to completely read this book to assure my course is built and ready for my class. I’m not trying to kill my brain reading two textbooks.

This textbook breaks down the government in a simple order. However, what is very different than the previous textbook is the detailed information that I felt was missing. Also, this is designed as an introduction to American Government. Naturally, it is divided into sections that start with how the government was formed, born from the failures of the Articles of Confederation to the evolution and adoption of the Constitution, same as the previous textbook I read for my course in American Government.

Between the two books, I would recommend this one. It’s better detailed and easier to digest. Plus, the bonus, this book is free to download on the Openstax site.

If one wants a desire to understand the US government in simplistic terms, this is a wonderful book. However, it is a textbook, so I would imagine that not many finish reading this, including my future students.

Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a delightful book!

Lopaka

American Government: Roots and Reform by O’Connor, Sabato, and Yanus
2016 / 550 pgs. Political Science/Textbook

American Government is a textbook for PSC-1030. A Community College class that I will be teaching in the fall. Naturally, I needed to completely read this book to assure my course is built and ready for my classes. If an individual would like a good understanding of the political system of the United States, this is a good book. It can be very dry at times, naturally, that is the nature of textbooks.

This textbook breaks down the government in a simple order and is not very detailed. It is designed as an introduction to American Government. Naturally, it is divided into sections that start with how the government was formed, born from the failures of the Articles of Confederation to the evolution and adoption of the Constitution.

Other sections break down into more details to understand the progression of our Federal system. Also, explaining the three branches of government and the challenges they have all faced over the years. Details of other impacts on our system like political parties, news media, and domestic policy and also explained in the book.

If one wants a desire to understand the US government in simplistic terms, this isn’t a bad book to read. However, it is a textbook, so I would imagine that not many finish reading this, including my future students.

Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a delightful book!

Lopaka