A Novel Approach to Politics: Introducing Political Science through Books, Movies, and Popular Culture

by Douglas A. Van Belle

A Novel Approach to Politics isn’t like other textbooks. This is one that students want to read. With his new Fourth Edition, Douglas A. Van Belle continues to turn conventional wisdom on its head by using pop culture references—updated in every chapter—to illustrate key concepts and to cover recent political events. Students will appreciate the tie between George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones and the authoritarian executive as much as House of Cards and cross-cutting cleavages, not to mention World War Z and bureaucracy. Just so things don't get too crazy, student aids are still in there—this time with new learning objectives joining chapter summaries, bolded key terms, and discussion questions. The “Thinkers in Boxes" call out pivotal political philosophers, theorists, and assorted hipsters, while the “Gods of Geekdom” highlight how the work of notable figures in science and science fiction tie into key chapter concepts.

Genres: Politics, Textbooks

536 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2006

Reviews

[Dewey Decimal Depressive · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why didn't I like this book? Here's a tidy list of reasons.

The author:
1. Wastes reams of paper and hours of students' time weaving in digressive justifications for his masturbatory writing style.
2. Distracts from and, in some cases, obfuscates otherwise straightforward definitions with tasteless chestnuts and esoteric screen references
3. Is so self-indulgent that he feels the need to clutter every page with extraneous footnotes where he can make abortive attempt after abortive attempt at eliciting laughter with his artless jokes.

If you are a professor considering the use of this textbook, you would do well to avoid it.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I like the course this textbook came with, I did not like the textbook. The information presented in the text was redundant at times, it jumped at points too. The author would be making a point then try to use levity to help make it and it just did not work. I would have preferred a straight forward textbook for this class.

[Abby · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to read this for a college class. I hated every second of reading it. The author tries to be funny and relevant by discussing politics through movies and television series. The book is 3x as long as it should be because of unnecessary crap about films and television. It is not stimulating and is the most boring book I have ever read. In addition, the author is a Democrat, given his unnecessary amount of hating on Republicans throughout the book. So it is frustrating that an intro to poli sci book has to be so partisan. Lastly, things like "democracy had suddenly turned into a drunken teenager trying to get into someone's pants on spring break" are extremely unwarranted and should have no place in the book (page 207). Spare yourself the waste of time and don't read. Also, if you are a professor, don't make your students read this awful piece of writing.

[Sarah]

Never read, donated

[Mare · Rating 4 out of 5]

hands down best textbook I ever read.

[Amanda Stewlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this textbook, even if you're not taking the class or remotely interested in political science. The author was a RIOT. He used movies, television shows and popular culture to help describe and illustrate his various points and topics in the political science realm. I absorbed so much knowledge from this textbook because I actually enjoyed reading it.

[Hakija · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a fun book. This book is very enjoyable to read.