Parties Books

James Bryce's "The American Commonwealth" is a basic text of American government and politics, one of three such texts, the others being Hamilton, Madison, and Jay The Federalist Papers (Signet Classics), and de Tocqueville Democracy In America (Complete). These three works, two by foreigners, form the groundwork of a basic understanding of the American system of government. Such an understanding is basic to good citizenship. The lack of such an understanding is sadly demonstrated every day by America's journalists, professors, politicians, and average citizens.

Reading Bryce's "Commonwealth" seems a formidable task at the beginning, since it is two volumes with a total of over 1600 pages. Yet once you begin, Lord Bryce's style is so natural, almost conversational, and the material so interesting to anyone with the slightest interest in American history and politics (and shouldn't that include every American citizen?), that it is actually a very easy book to read.

Bryce was Scottish, born in Belfast, Ireland. He became an attorney and a professor of law at Oxford, then a member of Parliament. He was Ambassador to the United States from 1907 to 1913, became a viscount in 1914. He was very well-traveled and well-known in the US, about as well-qualified as anyone could be to write a description of the American form of government. Because of his reputation as a friend of America he had an important influence on the US entry into World War One on the Allied side.

The first volume covers the national and state governments, the second volume covers the party system, public opinion, and various aspects of American political and social life. The first edition was published in 1888, and it was last revised in 1914. Over the years Bryce made many revisions as his observations and knowledge of America broadened and deepened.

Bryce explains exactly how American government works. A listing of some of the more significant chapters will give an idea of the subjects covered:

Chapter 3: The Origins of the Constitution
Chapter 8: Why Great Men are not Chosen President
Chapter 33: The Interpretation of the Constitution
Chapter 34: The Development of the Constitution by Usage
Chapter 53: Political Parties and Their History
Chapter 78: How Public Opinion Rules in America
Chapter 84: The Tyranny of the Majority
Chapter 85: The Fatalism of the Multitude

Of special interest are three appendices. The first is a review by Bryce of the predictions of Hamilton and de Tocqueville. The second is a review of "The American Commonwealth" written in 1889 by Woodrow Wilson when Wilson was a professor of political science at Weslyan University in Connecticut. The third is a review by Lord Acton.

Bryce believed that had the Constitution been put to a popular vote in 1787 it would never have passed. As it was, the only reason the Constitution gained popular support was because of the fear of foreign powers. As Bryce puts it, in the years following the Revolution and the collapse of the Articles of Confederation, Americans felt very vulnerable to foreign intervention:

"The fear of foreign interference, the sense of weakness, both at sea and on land, against the military monarchies of Europe, was constantly before the mind of American statesmen, and made them anxious to secure at all hazards a national government capable of raising an army and navy, and of speaking with authority on behalf of the new republic."

His comments on the relationship between the Constitution, the Supreme Court, and the American people are very timely.

Of the Presidency he says, "The president has developed a capacity for becoming, in moments of national peril, something like a Roman dictator."

His description of the development of the political parties is equally timely, and is the best I have ever read.

Some final quotations from Bryce:

"Someone has said that the American government and Constitution are based on the theology of Calvin and the philosophy of Hobbes. This at least is true, that there is a hearty Puritanism in the view of human nature which pervades the instrument of 1787. It is the work of men who believed in original sin, and were resolved to leave open for transgressors no door which they could possibly shut. Compare this spirit with the enthusiastic optimism of the Frenchmen of 1789. It is not merely a difference of race temperaments; it is a difference of fundamental ideas."

He ends on this pessimistic note, echoing Benjamin Franklin:

"To expect any form of words, however weightily conceived, with whatever sanctions enacted, permanently to restrain the passions and interests of men is to expect the impossible. Beyond a certain point, you cannot protect the people against themselves any more than you can, to use a familiar American expression, lift yourself from the ground by your own bootstraps."

Highly recommended in this authoritative and economical edition.

I have used this well-organized, well-illustrated textbook in a community college course on American Federal government which I have taught for 14 years as an adjunct instructor. The textbook does an excellent job of not only discussing the format of our Federal government but also the methods which citizens use to become involved in democracy and politics (i.e. elections, political parties, interest groups). The photos and names of political leaders, Congressional committee assignments, and Cabinet members are about as up-to-date as a hard cover text can be. Since political science has a lot of jargon, I like having the definitions of terms in the margins close to where the terms first appear--which is true of this textbook. It has an annotated copy of the U.S. Constitution, which is expesically helpful for those students not familiar with the "King's English". The essays (Politics Wired, Critical Perspectives) provide wonderful examples of the function of our Federal government that is discussed in a particular chapter and can be very effective discussion tools.

I have looked at several government textbooks, and this is by far one of the very best I have seen! Definitely a great buy!!

This book is a great example of what the VSI series should (and often does) achieve. It provides a thorough introduction to the topic that somehow combines incredibly mastery of detail with lively writing. The reader comes away with a solid grasp of the subject. As a professional political scientist who read this as a possible classroom textbook, I can attest that the information is of top quality. I'm enough of an academic that I always worry with well-written books if I'm really getting an accurate grounding in the subject, or if it is instead readable but superficial or misleading. No worries in this case. Maisel does it right. Non-American readers might detect a tinge (or more) of patriotism shining through, and sometimes the book seems pitched too clearly to Americans. I often thought I heard Maisel's voice lecturing his undergraduates when I read the book (not a bad thing in itself, I'm sure his lectures are fantastic). This is really a minor point though and, after all, we academics can never bring ourselves to write ONLY positive things in a review. All in all, this book more than delivers what it promises: an excellent, thorough, information-packed, and readable overview. Sandy Maisel was surely the right person to ask to write the book.

Despite all the high-level media coverage that politics gets in the US, the way that American political system works is rather obscure even for someone who has been following politics for many years. There are several key aspects of this system that make it very different from other highly developed democracies around the world. The most notorious one of these aspects, the electoral system, prevents direct election of the American president, and makes only a handful of states competitive in the presidential race. Furthermore, what makes the political system particularly complicated is the fact that each one of the fifty states has its own political and electoral idiosyncrasies.

This book is a very useful first step for anyone who is serious about learning more about American politics. It covers all the main features of the system, without getting bogged down in technical details. It provides a concise and accessible overview, from both historical and contemporary points of view. The inclusion of several recent political contests makes the material relevant and approachable. It is an easy and enjoyable read and will be appreciated by anyone who is interested in the subject, whether you have been following American politics for decades or are completely new to it. I highly recommend it.

This book is amazing. The reason why I am now a political science major. It is the book that my government teacher assigned in high school, and has thus shaped my opinions towards the constitution and our political system today. It offers a great dichotomy between classic works (such as the federalist papers) and contemporary classics (such as Robert Putnam's 'Bowling Alone'). I would recommend this book to anyone interested in politics or looking to be....

"The American Revolution" is the 11th book in the "American Adventure" series. So far, my nine year-old son and I have taken turns reading aloud the first 14 books in the series. Although the books are aimed at 8-12 year-olds, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading and listening to the engaging stories. "The American Adventure" series is historical fiction at its finest! This is definitely NOT the dry, boring, dumbed-down stuff of my school years...

Readers will "experience" history as seen through the eyes of girls and boys their own age. Combining "The American Adventure" books - numbers 6 thru 12 cover the American Revolution --with a couple of non-fiction books, such as the excellent "Brown Paper School USKids History: Book of the American Revolution" (ISBN 0-316-96922-2), your reader will have a very comprehensive knowledge of this period in our country's history.

From the back cover of "The American Revolution" -

"Stephen Lankford and his cousin, Anna Allerton, are shocked when they see a group of men dump a shipment of tea into the Boston Harbor. Then they overhear a British admiral threaten revenge as a result of this "Tea Party." Soon all of Boston is suffering.

Stephen's parents and older brother are Patriots, willing to risk everything to gain independence from England. Anna's parents are Loyalists, who feel honor-bound to support the king. When Stephen's older brother, Will, asks him to spy for the Patriots right in Uncle Cuyler's shop, Stephen is torn.

Then Anna discovers what Stephen is doing. Will she report his actions to the British soldiers? And will the approaching war destroy Anna and Stephen's families?

The American Socialist Movement 1897-1912 scrutinizes the rise and decline of the American Socialist Party, which at its height had more than a hundred and fifty thousand members and almost a million votes for its presidential candidate. A classic history first written in the mid-twentieth century, The American Socialist Movement 1987-1912 discusses socialist ideology in the early 1900's, party propaganda, the influences of Christianity and immigration, attacks on constructive socialism, the repercussions of factionalism, the recall of Bill Haywood and much more. An extensively researched and documented account ideal for scholarly study and reference, and a welcome addition to college library and reference shelves.

my daughter loves angelina!! great to have books to read to her and for her to go thrue til she can read!!

What a great little ant book this is! Anthony Ant (a cute black ant "kid" wearing a day pack and sneakers) tramps all through his underground nest to deliver Birthday invites to all his buggy friends. The pages fold out as you follow Anthony through the maze. The pictures are bright and charming, with lots of visual jokes that kids can spend hours discovering. Plus, anyone with an interest in real ants will be amused by all the appropriate and accurate nature details (such as Anthony's "pet" aphid). Very, very entertaining and cute... I hope this is re-issued soon so I can send copies to all my little friends..

This is a fanastic cookbook. I first bought this cookbook because the title made me laugh my ass off. This book has everything in it. It has cookies, cakes, drink (with alchol or without), food for important dinners, and everyday food. I have cook a lot of these recipes and they are fantastic.