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Politics from A to Z
Deepen your understanding of how politics work, and why they matter, with this timely guide. Politics from A to Z provides an up-to-date, thoroughly researched glossary of political topics spanning ancient Greece to contemporary America. Featuring an introductory interview with Noam Chomsky, Politics from A to Z is ideal for anyone interested in politics, from beginners to scholars. With detailed entries, visual references, and useful timelines, Politics from A to Z introduces the influential figures and ideas that have shaped politics, from the American Revolution to Zionism.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 15, 2019
Cross my heart, I would actually give this book only 3 stars. I’m giving it 4 because I feel it’s my own fault to read, as a soon-to-be lawyer, a politics book “for dummies”. It’s amazing, hence the 4 stars, but I knew pretty much every concept presented.
It was well researched and an easy read. More of a “to-go” book when you need references, but still a good read for people who don’t know much about politics or history and wish to know more, if not anything, about everything.
It was well researched and an easy read. More of a “to-go” book when you need references, but still a good read for people who don’t know much about politics or history and wish to know more, if not anything, about everything.
February 22, 2016
Having very little experience with politics, I was curious how I would like this book by Richard Ganis. I found it a very helpful book for the basics and would definitely recommend it as a reference since it reads like a dictionary for politics. Right from the beginning I found the conversation with Professor Noam Chomsky interesting which highlights the important role politics have played in our culture and public life. It then goes into the A to Z covering everything from Anarchism to Zionism with detailed descriptions and visual references. It also gives endnotes which give even more in depth details and references. I walked away from this book feeling much more informed about our history and politics on a broader worldly level.
I received this in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received this in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 24, 2017
Not light reading
This isn't really the type of book you read for pleasure or knowledge. More of a reference book, it was to cross references to enjoy, and way to lengthy on common knowledge while the areas where I feel I could have learned something were not descriptive enough.
This isn't really the type of book you read for pleasure or knowledge. More of a reference book, it was to cross references to enjoy, and way to lengthy on common knowledge while the areas where I feel I could have learned something were not descriptive enough.
October 14, 2021
Politics from A to Z is a very useful book for those starting to learn about politics, and those who already know politics. It covers a vast array of political theory, with pictures, facts, and general info. This book does a good job portraying information without bias.
Richard Ganis does a stunning job providing information on many important topics, and even if you think you know the topic being covered, there's a good chance you'll learn something new.
Richard Ganis covers so many topics in this book that you're bound to find something you've never even heard of. Richard Ganis provides in depth knowledge on many different topics, and makes learning them interesting.
In Richard Ganis's interview with Noam Chomsky, (found at the beginning of the book) Professor Chomsky explains how elections in the U.S.A. aren't even considered elections, as now they're considered as marketing campaigns. Noam Chomsky (loc 247) explains how the advertising industry gives an award each year for whoever or whatever made the best marketing campaign. "In 2008 they gave it to Obama, whose campaign beat Apple in 'Best Marketing of the Year.'" This is a very important fact that Professor Chomsky and Noam Ganis bring to light, as it demonstrates how the United States is not a true democracy, but really a capitalist system that involves spending the most money in order to become president.
Politics from A to Z is organized in a way that allows you to use it as an encyclopedia, and a way to look at important topics again if they come up. For example, when communism is described, there is an embedded link (on kindle) that allows you to re-read the finer details on capitalism as a direct contrast. After you read the book, you can also go to the glossary and relocate important subjects with ease if they come up.
Richard Ganis does a stunning job providing information on many important topics, and even if you think you know the topic being covered, there's a good chance you'll learn something new.
Richard Ganis covers so many topics in this book that you're bound to find something you've never even heard of. Richard Ganis provides in depth knowledge on many different topics, and makes learning them interesting.
In Richard Ganis's interview with Noam Chomsky, (found at the beginning of the book) Professor Chomsky explains how elections in the U.S.A. aren't even considered elections, as now they're considered as marketing campaigns. Noam Chomsky (loc 247) explains how the advertising industry gives an award each year for whoever or whatever made the best marketing campaign. "In 2008 they gave it to Obama, whose campaign beat Apple in 'Best Marketing of the Year.'" This is a very important fact that Professor Chomsky and Noam Ganis bring to light, as it demonstrates how the United States is not a true democracy, but really a capitalist system that involves spending the most money in order to become president.
Politics from A to Z is organized in a way that allows you to use it as an encyclopedia, and a way to look at important topics again if they come up. For example, when communism is described, there is an embedded link (on kindle) that allows you to re-read the finer details on capitalism as a direct contrast. After you read the book, you can also go to the glossary and relocate important subjects with ease if they come up.
March 1, 2020
There is some good information, but for something written so recently it really seems like there should be entries on populism and progressivism. In addition, there are things written that are misleading if not definitely false. For example, there was a bit on how Congress doesn't seem to check the president anymore, but that was written at a time when McConnell was blocking Obama hard. It could be true now, but even then without the context it is not helpful information. Also, the part on no Democrats except for Carter getting elected until Clinton for so many years; that was only three elections between Carter and Clinton, and pre-Nixon there were several Democrat victories. I can't tell if they are trying to follow a specific agenda or just missing things.
August 30, 2021
Politics from A to Z is authored by Richard Ganis and published in 2015. The book is a brief overview of political terms alphabetically.
The book is overall written well. It does give the reader a good overview of politics. This overview of politics is from a primarily United States point-of-view. Each of the topics are presented with a brief history and its impact on the world stage. This book should be kept around for a brief overview about politics. However any deep exploration of political concepts is not present in this book.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a brief overview of politics and political concepts.
Grade: C
The book is overall written well. It does give the reader a good overview of politics. This overview of politics is from a primarily United States point-of-view. Each of the topics are presented with a brief history and its impact on the world stage. This book should be kept around for a brief overview about politics. However any deep exploration of political concepts is not present in this book.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a brief overview of politics and political concepts.
Grade: C
January 9, 2023
Pretty good! Nice refresher on a broad array of topics. Certainly if new or insecure to politics, give this one a go, find something that affects you or piques your interest, then go take a deeper dive on wikipedia or another book. I thought it was a nice synthesis process mashing up different ideas in an a to z fashion. I think if you have some political junkie loved ones, this would be going above and beyond to take interest and contribute to a conversation. Or fire back at that uncle at Thanksgiving, just for fun.
October 27, 2019
It's not a bad book by any means. It's just it lacks organization to be read from start to finish. It had a lot of jumps between topics which makes it a good reference book (that I'm going to continue using it).
August 18, 2019
It's a quick, basic introduction to political concepts with a generally Chomsky-esque bias.
January 26, 2020
A really good quick overview of our political system. You want to understand what's up on the news? Read this book.
September 26, 2017
It's an encyclopedia that is politically focused, for better or worse.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews