EasterBlack-owned or founded brands at TargetGroceryClothing, Shoes & AccessoriesBabyHomeFurnitureKitchen & DiningOutdoor Living & GardenToysElectronicsVideo GamesMovies, Music & BooksSports & OutdoorsBeautyPersonal CareHealthPetsHousehold EssentialsArts, Crafts & SewingSchool & Office SuppliesParty SuppliesLuggageGift IdeasGift CardsClearanceTarget New ArrivalsTarget Finds#TargetStyleTop DealsTarget Circle DealsWeekly AdShop Order PickupShop Same Day DeliveryRegistryRedCardTarget CircleFind Stores

Sponsored

The Handy American Government Answer Book - (Handy Answer Books) by Gina Misiroglu (Paperback)

The Handy American Government Answer Book - (Handy Answer Books) by  Gina Misiroglu (Paperback) - 1 of 1
$27.49 sale price when purchased online
$49.95 list price
Target Online store #3991

About this item

Highlights

  • A practical, accessible, engaging, and comprehensive guide to how American democracy works (and how it sometimes doesn't work).
  • About the Author: Gina Misiroglu has authored or edited more than three dozen books in the popular culture, biography, American history, folklore, and women studies genres.
  • 400 Pages
  • Political Science, American Government
  • Series Name: Handy Answer Books

Description



About the Book



The stakes have never been higher: national security, civil liberties, the economy, the future of the republic. Yet few outside Washington and its interlocking world veiled in power brokering, bureaucracy, and big money actually understand how our government and political system should work or operates.

Understanding how modern America is governed and answering basic questions about how our very complex government operates and what it promises, The Handy American Government Answer Book: How Washington, Politics, and Elections Work takes a comprehensive look at the history, systems, people, and policies that comprise American democracy through well-researched answers to nearly 800 questions, including Why is America's democratic system considered so precious? What does 'checks and balances' mean? Where do the party symbols of the donkey and the elephant come from? What is electoral realignment? What does it mean to lobby? Who pays for the campaigns of candidates?



Book Synopsis



A practical, accessible, engaging, and comprehensive guide to how American democracy works (and how it sometimes doesn't work).

The stakes have never been higher: national security, civil liberties, the economy, the future of the republic. Yet few outside Washington actually understand how our government and political system should work, much less how it actually operates. On one level, it's a complex, interlocking world veiled in power brokering, bureaucracy, and big money. On another, it's the biggest, richest, most influential organization in the world, for better or worse.

Understanding how modern America is managed and governed is more vital than ever, but television, radio, newspapers, and social media frequently aim to spin, seduce, and sell product rather than serve anything resembling the truth. Filling the breach and answering basic questions about how our very complex government operates and what it promises, The Handy American Government Answer Book: How Washington, Politics, and Elections Work takes a comprehensive look at the systems, people, and policies that comprise American democracy, providing much-needed clarity to the current political drama.

This informative book traces the historic development of the government, the functions of each branch of government, and how they work together. It provides clear and concise definitions of who does what and why. Written in an entertaining, reader-friendly, question-and-answer format, The Handy American Government Answer Book deciphers the news behind the headlines through well-researched answers to nearly 800 common questions. You will also read about such fascinating tidbits as

  • Why is America's democratic system considered so precious?
  • How are shifting demographics related to the electorate?
  • What can Americans do to influence their government?
  • Did the framers of the Constitution place equal weight on the concepts of liberty, equality, and democracy?
  • What does "checks and balances" mean?
  • What generally happens when members of Congress act inappropriately?
  • How many presidents have been impeached?
  • How does a case reach the U.S. Supreme Court?
  • Which president appointed the most justices?
  • How do civil liberties differ from civil rights?
  • How does the Bill of Rights protect individual liberties?
  • Is measuring public opinion a new phenomenon in politics?
  • What does the concept ?majority rule with minority rights? mean?
  • Why has trust in the government declined?
  • What does it mean to lobby?
  • How are PAC donations and political decisions linked?
  • Where do the party symbols of the donkey and the elephant come from?
  • What is electoral realignment?
  • Who pays for the campaigns of candidates?
  • Did the electoral college ever vote unanimously for a president?

    This handy primer also includes numerous illustrations, graphs, tables, a helpful bibliography, and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness. In the midst of the overheated rhetoric of the moment and the fast-changing, crisis-dominated world, a well-informed citizenry armed with The Handy American Government Answer Book is the best defense against political and corporate chicanery!



    Review Quotes




    "... provides clear definitions and explanations for nearly 800 areas of governance ... a solid resource for high-school students and any general readers with questions about how government works." -- Booklist

    "If there was ever a book you need to wrap up for your political giftee, it's "The Handy American Government Answer Book" by Gina Misiroglu. Imagine pages and pages that make politics easy to understand and that explain how things work." - Bookworm Sez

    "... answers about 1,000 questions related to the function of the US government, covering basics and contemporary issues ... the origins of American government; the Constitution; federalism; the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and related concepts ..." -- Protoview Book News

    Praise for the previous edition ...
    ". . . this easy-to-navigate book removes complexity from a serious subject: government." -- Tampa Tribune

    "This reference is a meaningful addition to the educational tools [for] students as well as general political observers and voters who want to better understand the issues of the day." -- American Reference Books



    About the Author



    Gina Misiroglu has authored or edited more than three dozen books in the popular culture, biography, American history, folklore, and women studies genres. She holds two degrees from UCLA and has worked in various editorial capacities for publishers such as Price Stern Sloan, New World Library, Visible Ink Press, Facts On File, and Routledge. She has contributed to or authored several 'Handy Answer Book' titles, including The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) and The Handy Politics Answer Book. Additional notable works include the three-volume American Countercultures: An Encyclopedia of Nonconformists, Alternative Lifestyles, and Radical Ideas in U.S. History, winner of the 2010 RUSA Award for Outstanding Reference Source; The Superhero Book: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-Book Icons and Hollywood Heroes; and the trade anthology Girls Like Us: 40 Extraordinary Women Celebrate Girlhood in Story, Poetry, and Song, winner of the New York Public Library's 'Best Book for Teens' Award. Misiroglu lives in Los Angeles and is proud to say she votes in every national and local election.
  • Dimensions (Overall): 9.2 Inches (H) x 7.1 Inches (W) x 1.0 Inches (D)
    Weight: 1.5 Pounds
    Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
    Number of Pages: 400
    Genre: Political Science
    Sub-Genre: American Government
    Series Title: Handy Answer Books
    Publisher: Visible Ink Press
    Format: Paperback
    Author: Gina Misiroglu
    Language: English
    Street Date: December 1, 2017
    TCIN: 83221114
    UPC: 9781578596393
    Item Number (DPCI): 247-50-4509
    Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
    If the item details above aren’t accurate or complete, we want to know about it.

    Shipping details

    Estimated ship dimensions: 1 inches length x 7.1 inches width x 9.2 inches height
    Estimated ship weight: 1.5 pounds
    We regret that this item cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.
    This item cannot be shipped to the following locations: American Samoa (see also separate entry under AS), Guam (see also separate entry under GU), Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico (see also separate entry under PR), United States Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands, U.S., APO/FPO

    Return details

    This item can be returned to any Target store or Target.com.
    This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup.
    See the return policy for complete information.

    Get top deals, latest trends, and more.

    Privacy policy

    Footer

    About Us

    About TargetCareersNews & BlogTarget BrandsBullseye ShopSustainability & GovernancePress CenterAdvertise with UsInvestorsAffiliates & PartnersSuppliersTargetPlus

    Help

    Target HelpReturnsTrack OrdersRecallsContact UsFeedbackAccessibilitySecurity & FraudTeam Member Services

    Stores

    Find a StoreClinicPharmacyOpticalMore In-Store Services

    Services

    Target Circle™Target Circle™ CardTarget Circle 360™Target AppRegistrySame Day DeliveryOrder PickupDrive UpFree 2-Day ShippingShipping & DeliveryMore Services
    PinterestFacebookInstagramXYoutubeTiktokTermsCA Supply ChainPrivacyCA Privacy RightsYour Privacy ChoicesInterest Based AdsHealth Privacy Policy