American Politics

An Audio Guide

By: Jon Roper

Narrated by: Adrian Mulraney

To understand the world events today, you need to understand American politics. Exploring the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Jon Roper provides a sharp analysis of how history has shaped the way America governs itself.Examining the recent emergence of the right-wing Tea Party movement, President Obama’s administration, American foreign policy, and the role of powerful lobbies, this is the perfect primer for anyone interested in the world’s most powerful (and controversial) country.

©2011 Jon Roper (P)2012 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

“For those looking for a concise overview of American government and politics, this superb book will be a boon. An engaging guide.” (James Pfiffner, University Professor of Public Policy, George Mason University, USA)

“A superb communicator, Jon Roper has written as good an introduction to American politics as one could wish to find.” (Nigel Bowles, Honor Balfour Fellow in Politics and Director of the Rothermere American Institute, University of Oxford, UK)

“John Roper has long been one of the most astute foreign observers of the American political scene. This fine book promises a general introduction to its topic, but it delivers much more.” (Cal Jillson, Professor of Political Science, Southern Methodist University, USA)

“Excellent. Drawing upon his deep knowledge of American politics and history, and written with typical fluency, Roper has produced an eloquent supplement to general texts on American politics.” (Chris Bailey, Professor of American Politics, Keele University, UK)

“A lively and accessible text offering help to those entering the sometimes bewildering universe of US politics for the first time.” (Niall Palmer, Lecturer in American Politics, Brunel University, and Associate Fellow of the Institute for the Study of the Americas, UK)

Thorough but boring

It might just be that I don't find politics interesting which is why I felt compelled to purchase this book so I could learn more.
I just found myself drifting off quite a lot during the audio.
Detailed overview of American political history and I'm sure I'll visit it again in the future.

Good history but far from instructional

If you're looking for a through history of the American political system, you'll be quite happy with this book. I personally found it to be quite good at explain what steps led to certain developments in the American political system. The neutral viewpoint of the book was largely refreshing rather than having bias towards either party that in my view poisons many core lessons when one wants to learn of politics. It was pure fact and causality (A+B=C), no agendas or propaganda to glorify or vilify either democrats or republicans.

That being said, if you're looking for a book that teaches you about the current political system down to the nuts and bolts, you'll probably be disappointed. Where it shines in history, it lacks in instruction. You get the why, but not the how. This was my biggest gripe about the book.

But that aside, the reader was well spoken and like I said earlier the history was very enlightening. I'd recommend it, so long as you temper your expectations a little.