America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction

Politics

Rated: B
What a wit. Found myself giggling on almost every page. Fun read. ( )

I read this book towards the end of 2003. I do remember liking it, and now that I look back, I still think it is a lot better than Colbert's book, which I reviewed here as well. ( )

cute. ( )

While humorous, there are some very cringe-worthy moments in this book. Mostly the overemphasis on using r*tard as an insult, and accusing people they don't like of being "secretly gay" (as we know, the worst possible insult to a straight). It just got tiring.

It does give a succinct look at American Democracy, from the different branches of government to the history of the nation. The book helps explain the functions of the executive branch, the checks and balances of the Senate and Congress, and the judicial branch. There is a brief look at the possible future of America. The final chapter consists of infographics covering the rest of the world, and why, in the writers' opinions, it's not worth going.

Even though the book is now dated, being from 2004, there are still some poignant facts through the haze of rude punch-downs and occasional poorly executed jokes. Still worth a read, I think.

I do like how the whole book is laid out like a classic school textbook. ( )