What You Should Know About Politics . . . But Don't: A Nonpartisan Guide to the Issues That Matter

by Jessamyn Conrad, Martin Garbus (Introduction)

"Engaging and inspiring . . . Reading this book should make you want to vote." --Barack Obama

In a world of sound bites, deliberate misinformation, and a political scene that is colored by the blue versus red partisan divide. How does the average educated American find a reliable source that's free of political spin? What You Should Know About Politics . . . But Don't breaks it all down, issue by issue, explaining who stands for what, and why--whether it's the economy, income inequality, Obamacare, foreign policy, education, immigration, or climate change. If you're a Democrat, a Republican, or somewhere in between, it's the perfect book to brush up on a single topic or read through to get a deeper understanding of the often mucky world of American politics.

This is an essential volume for understanding the background to the 2016 presidential election. But it is also a book that transcends the season. It's truly for anyone who wants to know more about the issues, which are perennial issues that will continue to affect our everyday lives.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Political Science, Government, Audiobook, Unfinished

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Melora · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast, fun overview of an enormous topic. I waffled on the rating for this one, between three and four. It was a "four" for me until I got to her remarks on homeschoolers in the Education chapter. She says, "... greater numbers of Americans either put their children in religious schools or chose to homeschool them. They would prefer not to pay for public education because they don't use or want its services." Ouch. Talk about a wildly erroneous generalization! I'm not saying that there aren't homeschoolers who hold this view, but in all my years as a member of various homeschool communities, I can't recall ever hearing anyone say such a thing. The homeschoolers I know would all admit that homeschooling is not the right choice for every family, and that an excellent public school system is a benefit to everyone. Anyway, having stumbled over such a blatantly inaccurate piece of "information" in a section about which I have some knowledge made me a bit more skeptical about her claims in other sections. Still, I did enjoy the book a lot. Conrad succeeds in making complex subjects seem comprehensible, and she has an amusing, if occasionally too flippant, style. Most of what she covered was familiar, but the book was a nice refresher on a wide range of political issues. My reservation is that she sounds confident and authoritative but is, perhaps, not as well informed as she imagines on some subjects.

[Susan in NC · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars for clarity and useful information.

I am still reading this, not in one sitting, but topic by topic, roughly a chapter a day, listening to the audiobook, sometimes reading the ebook also; I wanted to write a “partial review” for other voters who might seek more clarity on issues obfuscated under a layer of attack ads. As always, the actual issues facing us are not as sexy or inflammatory as the nasty buzzwords, labels and bumper-sticker oversimplifications currently in vogue to smear an opponent make them seem. The same issues come up election after election, and voters need to make the effort to get a grasp on them so they can’t be scared or fooled into voting based on ignorance or fear. Some background on how we as a country got here is also helpful, no matter the issue being considered. I think this book can help.

The book is laid out very helpfully, with individual chapters on vital issues, like “Elections”, “The Economy”, “Foreign Policy”, “The Military”, “Healthcare”, etc. I first heard about this book years ago on a list of “Nonfiction books to make you smarter” or something similar, the idea being that with all the disinformation floating around, we can all use a nonpartisan, rational source to explain recurring issues.

I added it to my nonfiction TBR years ago, but with the important midterms coming up, I wanted to finally dive in and check it out. I live in NC, and our U.S. Senate election has drawn a lot of outside money, and we are drowning in radio and TV ads - the ads for the Republican candidates, I must admit, are particularly dark and scary. Recently, on local news, an Elon University professor explained how one particularly scary ad smeared an opponent - and was using photoshopped images to be very negative about the candidate in question- but unfortunately, we all can’t have an expert analyze every ad for us. Instead, we have to try and get a handle on some of the complex issues, and how candidates, once in office, might address them.

As a registered Independent (“Unaffiliated” is the label here), and someone who majored in print journalism in college with very no-nonsense, old school professors who are probably rolling in their graves over what passes for “news” these days, I feel it’s important to look for and recommend nonpartisan sources to cut through the nonsense. This book was originally published in 2008, but I read an ebook of the 4th edition published in 2020. The author explains her premise and background clearly in the intro, and then discusses Elections. Worth the price of admission alone, with all the manufactured controversies over elections! I think it’s worthwhile reading for voters to familiarize/refresh their memories from school about how our system works.

I’ve only read the first three chapters straight through, and my “Reading Progress” contains extensive quotes from the Economy chapter to give anyone interested a taste of the writing style, to see if it works and would be helpful. I understand from another review, the reader had a problem with the education chapter about a statement on home schooling vs. public education. I haven’t got that far, but I have found what I have read a very helpful primer on issues voters and politicians face every election for as long as I can remember!

I know recent polls show many voters (I think about 70%) feel our very democracy is threatened with polarization, and in the wake of the January 6th attempt to alter the election results. It’s more important than ever that voters make an effort to be informed, not just about current issues, but how our system actually works. I think this can be a helpful place to start. The organization of the chapters, each beginning with a bullet list of topics covered, makes it particularly useful to dip in and out, or when one wants information on a particular issue.

[Josh Liller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claims to be a non-partison guide to modern political issues (as of 2008) and delivers. It discusses major issues and where the different parties & groups usually stand and why without trying to say who is right or wrong.

[Alexandra Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd recommend this book to anyone around my age. It covered a great deal of political topics, ranging from economy to education. Conrad's writing was very conversational and included more 'I's in it than I would have predicted (not a complaint, I enjoyed her input).

One thing you must note if you choose to read this book...If you do read this, rent (or buy) the most recent edition. The one I rented from the library, and the only one available, was published in 2008. Obama wasn't even president yet.

I noticed that almost immediately, realizing that nothing surpassed 2008. However, I continued to read on despite not being the most recent. I found that this book was a quick sum of ~30 years that my schooling failed to teach me. None of my history classes taught recent history, anything beyond 1960's or Vietnam...so this was a great wrap up of what happened prior to my birth -> until I began focusing on real world, current events.

Definitely recommend but highly suggest looking for the latest edition!

[Luis A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book, along with The Everything American Government Book, out of desperation. I had spent most of my life saying that I didn’t care about politics or the news except in the greater context and curation provided in history books. Then one day I woke up to realize that we’re living history and are here to take action or, at the very least, witness the ride. However, whenever I read a news article, I understood no more than 30%. I was missing the blueprint of how government and politics work (or are supposed to work) and the background of most current affairs.

I could’ve kept reading newspapers and magazines and hope to, by sheer repetition, construct the desired mental maps. But there’s gotta be a book that short cuts this, I thought, and amazon.com took me to What You Should Know About Politics… But Don’t. The title said it all for me. And the subtitle added more validity to it: A Nonpartisan Guide To The Issues That Matter.

Jessamyn Conrad does a very nice job identifying and describing some of the most important political and cultural topics of this decade. For each topic, Conrad provides background information about the issue at hand and the players that surround it, sometimes going back several decades. This background was essential in helping me weave a narrative (in my mind) and be better equipped to formulate a position.

The book touches on 13 topics in a little less than 400 pages. With approximately 30 pages per topic, the book is not at risk of being boring, especially because the topics are independent of each other.

As for the subtitle, Conrad limits her narrative to providing the main viewpoints around each topic, and the arguments presented by opposing parties. She doesn’t adjudicate the upper hand (ethical or logical) to any particular position. So, in my opinion, it checks the nonpartisan box.

The one thing missing perhaps is a complete update of the 13 topics, and perhaps the addition of new ones… things changed on January 20, 2017! This is the third edition, published in 2016, when Obama was still president.

In sum, if you’re looking to build or strengthen your blueprint of current American politics, read this book… and buy the fourth edition when it comes out.

[Mary Ronan Drew · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book purports to be an unbiased look at politics and to describe what each side says about various issues. It is not nonpartisan. It is biased to the left. And it doesn't even do a very good job of explaining why those on the left believe what they do. A great disappointment.

[Paige Bruland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Learned so much. International trade is very confusing. Very glad I read this book but wow it was dense, textbook vibes. However, it was digestible. I learned so so much. Excited to learn more and delve into other topics. Only reason I’m giving it a four is because she did not mention slavery/gentrification/America’s caste system at all which I think could’ve been woven into almost every chapter. However, some may argue it is not a history book but a politics book so it didn’t need to be mentioned, but she did give a ton of historical examples soo… include it.

She did a great job of being unbiased and just providing the stats. It really had me thinking in some chapters, what do I believe on this topic?

Definitely not an easy read, but an important one!

** it was crazy reading this and realizing how much Dump has changed and f*cked everything up. But of course it was written before he was in politics. Was nice to read about an era when he wasn’t in politics…. 🫠

[Graham Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and learned quite a bit!
Author does a decent job of giving a “nonpartisan” guide to hot topic issues of our day without much of a push one way or the other. Had a few generalizations to squint at as well as some bleak, dry spots… however had my curiosity lighting up most of the time to gain some understanding.

[Claudia Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important, but very boring, read.

[Susan Emmet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent primer for overview of important topics crucial to any sort of understanding of political will and intent for voters.
Naomi Wolf offers an introduction to this edition that ties it to the recent ascendancy of Trump and Company.
I like the way Conrad sets up chapters similarly: bullets, background, a bit of history, bolded key words, presentation of dis/similar points of view.
I like the readability of this book.
I like its coverage: elections, the economy, foreign policy, the military, health care, energy, the environment, civil liberties, culture wars, socioeconomic policy, homeland security, education and trade.
I like the sensible approach of the book, as well as its (overall) non-partisan considerations.
Lots to be reminded of; lots to learn.

[Wesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm giving this two stars because you might as well purchase the first edition second-hand for how little this book is updated. The fourth edition was not warranted at all. There is absolutely nothing in this book past the year 2014. A third edition was published in 2016. This one was published in 2019. Where is ANY coverage of the change in the political landscape due to Obama's second term? The 2016 election? The Trump White House? Bernie Sanders and the Democratic progressives? Definitely an ill-advised attempt to make money. I paid $12 for it and I will be returning it for my money. Once again, great to understand the development of politics leading up to 2008, but not contemporaneous at ALL and for a "new" edition, it is incredibly dated.

[♥ Kierra ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the 2016 election, I wanted to be more informed about politics. This book helped me to learn about key issues, the history of said issues, and current status of issues. The winning factor in the books title was nonpartisan and it was true to the word. I did not feel the author trying to sway me on an issue. The facts were given and footnotes provided. I think this is a great book for anyone looking to learn more about politics.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat outdated. Good summation. Broad range of issues- "I wrote this book to fill a void, the existence of which has been made more apparent by the myriad mudslinging volumes in the Ann Coulter/Michael Moore mold, books that are more about theater than ideas, that have more to do with misplaced hate than thoughtful contemplation of the issues ahead."

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good review- I'm making an attempt to understand politics better! Would be better if updated to Trump era :)

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book. The author aims for the pretense of neutrality, and instead presents a point of view so steeped in privilege see seems oblivious to it. The treatment of the material is far too superficial to be considered anything more than an introduction to the topics. Unfortunately some caution would be required even there because some of her explanations are error-ridden. For example, her discussion of gerrymandering gets the math wrong and therefore fails to show how someone who draws district lines could change the results of an election.

Overall, the book has an annoying he-said-she-said feeling to it and is desperately short on analysis, evaluation, or even explanation.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Solid Refresher

This was a good nonpartisan book on politics. It outlines each of the current issues along party lines and the prevailing arguments for each side. I also picked up a few useful tidbits along the way as well with some issues from a historical aspect. The only thing I would forewarn readers is that it could use another edition update as it focuses a lot on the Clinton and Bush administrations while only touching on Obama’s.

[Steve Peck · Rating 1 out of 5]

One should be vary wary of any book or person who purports to provide a no partisan review of politics. In the great tradition of Sal Alinski - lying about your position is just all right. Don't waste your time if you hope for real non partisan analysis. I had great hopes for it but wish I never bought it.

[Chinook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This did exactly what it said it would do - gave a bipartisan introduction to the basic issues that exist in the political climate (before Trump - I'm sure the next edition will have some interesting changes). It would be an ideal book for every American voter to read as a campaign began. It's too bad that most probably wouldn't be open to doing so - after all, half didn't even vote.

[Blake Rozendaal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessamyn Conrad has created a well researched handbook to some of the most popular issues. The book has been put together as a quick guide to the issues and the chapters can be read in any order to get a clear picture.
In terms of bias, multiple perspectives are presented and compared in each chapter. In addition, the history of the debate and how public opinion has changed is also covered.

[Obada Kattih · Rating 4 out of 5]

After acknowledging for so long that I knew nothing about politics, I finally decided to try and do something about it, so I decided to read this book. Now I can confidently say that I still know almost nothing about politics, but I know a little more than I did before reading this book.

This book claims to be a non-partisan guide and a wide range of political topics, and it certainly delivers (frankly I don't think I've ever read a book that was quite this unbiased). Each of the topics covered could themselves fill multiple volumes, but this book was only able to dedicate a chapter to each, which just goes to show the breadth this book was trying to cover.
As mentioned, each chapter covers a topic, and these chapters could be read on their own, so the book doesn't need to be read in order, and if you're only interested in certain topics you could only read those chapters. All the chapters were incredibly thorough and well researched. I cannot fathom the amount of work that must have been put into writing this book. However, some chapters were definitely more entertaining than others - whether that is due to my personal preferences or due to how well the chapters were written I cannot say.

Each chapter is divided into three sections. The first is simply a summary and key bullet points of what will be covered in the chapter. This is followed by a section titled "background to current debates", which is followed by section titled "current debates". Since each chapter can be read on its own, I thought it best to list the chapters and give my rating for each one:

1. Elections: 3/5
2. The economy: 4/5
3. Foreign policy: 5/5
4. The military: 4/5
5. Healthcare: 5/5
6. Energy: 5/5
7. The environment: 4/5
8. Civil liberties: 4/5
9. Culture wars: 4/5
10. Socioeconomic policy: 5/5
11. Homeland Security: 4/5
12. Education: 4/5
13. Trade: 5/5

I certainly learned an incredible amount from this book. If you, like me, are completely lost when it comes to the world of politics, this book may not be a horrible place to start.

[Melissa Lefler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super helpful book if you want to be informed about the basics of political issues (which…you should). Each chapter is its own political topic, so it’s perfect if you just want to pick and choose certain topics to read up on.

Totally politically objective, which makes it a bit dry (but which also means you really should read it to get best info; no sensationalizing). Published in 2008 so it could use some updating, but still worthwhile.

[Julie]

DNF because it's much more basic than I had expected, so it's boring. I did not expect basic stuff that I learned in HS.

[Noa Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat out of date but still a good primer to some of the main debates in American politics. Some areas I already knew a lot about and/or were kind of boring, but I really appreciated the parts on the Iraq war, military and mercenaries.

[Aricka Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex topics in a digestible format. Didn’t read every chapter but enjoyed the chapters that were fresh on my mind, as different topics come up this is a great reference book.

[Rachel Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice succinct rundown of most of today's top political debates including great background information and summaries of all of the groups that do and don't support the various positions on these topics and their reasonings.

[Greg Miraglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading for all voters.

It is very information heavy. In fact, its all information. There's no gossip or side-taking. Just information.

This is one of the most profound reads I've had the pleasure of reading. It reminded me that growing up during the Bush years doesn't mean I knew the complexities of the era. It reminded me that Clinton and Bush were both more moderate than my generation makes them out to be. It reminded me why John McCain will always be the most honest and decent Republican of my lifetime.

It taught me a lot- too much to summarize.

Go read this book. You're looking at the reviews, so you either have or want too. Do it. You won't regret it.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who wishes they had a better grasp on politics without all the vitriol of either side. While this book is dry at times, it is also engaging in a way that feels safer than anything you'll find online. Conrad provides a non-inflammatory explanation of what various political leanings are all about and the events that shaped our current political landscape.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read. Very readable, explains all aspects of the Federal government in lay language. Written bey the daughter of a former governor of N Dakota (D) and niece of a senator form N Dakota (R)! Balanced, non-partisan.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did really enjoy this and it was informative, it just didn't 100% hit the mark for me. Still, I would recommend reading it if you're curious to know more about modern US politics, just don't expect an extremely up to date account of the issues.

[Giuseppe Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you don’t know much about politics or don’t k ow where you stand in the political field this is probably the best book to read and get you going. Very nonpartisan surprisingly. The author did a good job