Introducing American Politics

by Patrick Brogan and Chris Garratt

Totem Books, 192 pp., $10.95 (paper)

Aimed at a high-school and college-level audience, this slim, illustration-heavy primer on politics American-style gives a very rudimentary introduction to our political history from the birth of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights (the texts of the latter two are included in the back of the book) right up through the Clinton impeachment, the NATO bombing of Kosovo, and George W. Bush. While the authors touch on a multitude of topics and personalities, unfortunately there is only the most cursory and elementary discussion of each. Over half of the book’s space is taken up by Garratt’s illustrations, often replete with humorous, informative, slightly left-leaning asides. Although this is strictly for political neophytes, it can’t hurt to brush up on some long-forgotten high-school civics.

This article appears in March 10 • 2000.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US