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iffer's review against another edition
3.0
In the wake of everyone talking about people living in "bubbles" in the wake of the 2016 US Presidential election, I have to say that this book isn't going to puncture or cross any bubbles. That said, I found it an engaging and amusing very brief summary of the "basics" sprawling topics of US history and politics. For me it was a general refresher of many things that sounded vaguely familiar from school, but which I should really know better/have paid more attention to. Although this is definitely liberal, it pokes fun at the absurdity of the US system in every direction, so it didn't bother me so much. If you're looking for a book with proposed solutions, rather than one humorously identifying flaws, then this isn't the place for you, though. Not to sound like a jerk, but I could also foresee people who didn't have a strong background in US history of politics to believe some of the sarcasm/jokes interspersed, kind of like how Onion articles are mistaken for truth. I suppose that that is another testament to the absurdity of politics, though.
vee615's review against another edition
5.0
If you like Jon Stewart and the Daily Show then you will probably enjoy this book as well. With the usual wit of the aforementioned people, it is a laugh out loud look at American History. In the format of a textbook, they provide facts loosely based off truth with an actual historian attempting to correct the more egregious errors. With discussion questions and games dividing the book into easy to digest chapters, they cover everything from the birth of democracy, to how our government is set up, to which disease you are likely to contract in South East Asia.
It was a quick read that often had me giggling at its ridiculousness.
It was a quick read that often had me giggling at its ridiculousness.
brianreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A little dated since it was written in 2004, but worth picking up off your friend's coffee table. Hilarious.
ddmgembala's review against another edition
5.0
A necessary read for anyone who needs to laugh, and an excellent chaser to political books that just make you angry. A history book that seriously does not take itself seriously.
lolindrath's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to the audiobook version of this - it was freaking awesome, all the daily show people read their sections.
literallykristen's review against another edition
3.0
I think I would have liked this better if I had read it instead of listened to it. =(