DISCLIAMER: I didn't actually read this book cover to cover, but I think I read enough to give it a review.
Anyway, I found this to be a great compilation of government related writings. Thus the subject being naturally dry, its not the most entertaining read, but its very good for educational & research purposes.
An excellent collection on current and past writings on American Government. Serow has collected and astonishingly wide array of essays, from the classic "Democracy in America" by De Toqueville to John McCains twitter feed. The readings are a wonderful insight into both the positive and negatives of our system of government, and do a great job at enlightening some of the darker corners of American political thought. For instance, the juxtaposition of Milton Friedman and Michael Harrington does a great job at highlighting conservative and liberal economic theory, and allows them to not only stand on their own merits, but also to allow the reader the opportunity to easily compare the two divergent economists. I use this book in my AP Government class, and have found that by and large, both the students and I really enjoy the readings. Cornel West, Madison, C. Wright Mills, Hamilton, Richard Fallon, Caroline Kennedy, Robert Shapiro and many others are highlighted in this essential look into American Government. The readings have been carefully chosen to be engaging, thought provoking, and often entertaining. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in politics, and should be required of anyone wishing to enter into political life.
I hate politics. And I was in an AP Gov and Politics class so I had to read this. I was lost the entire time, and I was bored to tears. Personally, I would never have read this if it weren't for this class.