Reading List and Book Report Assignment

AP Government Summer Reading Assignment
As a part of the AP U.S. Government and Politics course you are required to write two
book reports. You are to take rough outline notes as you read the books (which are to
be attached to your reports).
1. Choose any two books from the list below.
2. Check to see if the books listed below are available in a library before buying them.
3. Refer to the instructions for directions.
READING LIST
The 15 Biggest Lies About Politics - Major Garret
48 Laws of Power - Robert Greene (how to be "powerful")
All Politics is Local - Tip O'Neill (the former Speaker tells us the tricks of the political game)
All too Human - George Stephanopolous (a controversial "tell all" by President Clinton's former top advisor)
The Art of Political War - David Horowitz (So, you want to win an election? Here's how.)
Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms: My Life in American Politics - Ed Rollins
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy - Greg Pallast
Bowling Alone - Robert Putnam
Blinded by the Right - David Brock
The Buying of the Congress - Charles Lewis (how access and influence is "purchased" in Washington)
The Buying of the President 2000 - Charles Lewis
A Call to Revolution - Martin L. Gross (an expose of how our tax dollars are squandered in Washington)
Closed Chambers - Edward Lazarus (how the U.S. Supreme Court really operates)
The Coldest War - James Brady
The Corruption of American Politics: What Went Wrong and Why - Elizabeth Drew
The Courage of Their Convictions - Peter Irons (key "freedom of expression" cases)
The Cousins' Wars; Religion, Politics and the Triumph of Anglo-America - Kevin Phillips
Dead Center: Clinton-Gore Leadership and the Perils of Moderation - Burns and Sorensen
Eat the Rich: A Treatise on Economics - P. J. O'Rourke
The Enemy Within: Saving America from the Liberal Assault on Our Schools, Faith, and Military - Michael Savage
Everything You Think You Know About Politics and Why You Are Wrong - Kathleen Jameson
Eyewitness to Power - David Gergen
Flawed Giant - Robert Dalik (a behind the scenes look at LBJ, "the supreme manipulator", in action)
Foxes in the Henhouse: How the Republicans Stole the South and the Heartland and What the Democrats Must
Do to Run 'em Out by Steve Jarding, Dave "Mudcat" Saunders, and Bob Kerrey
Free Speech for Me, But not for Thee - Nat Hentoff
Front Row at the White House - Helen Thomas
The Future of Freedom - Fareed Sakaria
Gideon's Trumpet - Anthony Lewis (the story behind the famous Gideon v. Wainwright case)
Hail to the Chief - Robert Dalik
Hats in the Ring - Brad Chapinsky
Hell Fire Nation: The Politics of Sin in American History - James Morone
Hill Rat: Blowing the Lid Off Congress by John L. Jackley
Hillary Rodham Clinton: A First Lady for our Time - Donnie Radcliffe
How to Run for Local Office : A Complete, Step-By-Step Guide that Will Take You Through the Entire Process
of Running and Winning a Local Election by Robert J. Thomas
How Women Legislate - Sue Thomas
In Defense of Government: The Fall and Rise of Public Trust - Jacob Weisberg
Karl Rove : Bush's Brain - James Moore and Wayne Slater
Lies and the Lying Liars That Tell Them - Al Franken
Lies My Teacher Told Me - James Loewen
Living History - Hillary Clinton
Man of the House - Tip O'Neill (former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill's autobiography)
Managing the President's Program: Presidential Leadership and Legislative Policy Formulation (Princeton
Studies in American Politics) - Andrew Rudalevige
The Manship School Guide to Political Communication- David D. Perlmutter
Mass Media and American Politics – Doris A. Graber
Means of Ascent - Robert Caro (another look at LBJ, this time dealing with his dubious rise to power)
Men in Black: How the Supreme Court Is Destroying America - Mark R. Levin
A Mormon in the White House?: 10 Things Every American Should Know about Mitt Romney - Hugh Hewitt
The Natural; the misunderstood presidency of Bill Clinton - Joe Klein
The New Prince: Macciavelli in the 21st Century - Dick Morris
No Fault Politics: Modern Presidents, The Press, and Reformers - Eugene McCarthy
Off With Their Heads - Dick Morris
On the Campaign Trail: The Long Road of Presidential Politics, 1860-2004 by Douglas E. Schoen
The Paradox of American Democracy - John Judas
Parliament of Whores - P.J. O'Rourke (a humourous account of how the government works)
Political Ambition - Linda Fowler and Robert McClure
The Political Bestiary - Eugene McCarthy (former Senator McCarthy equates politicians with animals)
Politics in the Clinton Years - Molly Ivins
The Politics of Rich and Poor - Kevin Phillips
The Politics Presidents Make: Leadership from John Adams to Bill Clinton - Stephen Skowronek
Power Plays - Dick Morris
The Presidency of James Earl Carter - B.T. Kaufman
Presidential Ambition: How the presidents gained power, kept power, and got things done - Richard Shenkman
Primary Colors -Anonymous (actually Joe Klein)
The Prince (Bantam Classics) - Niccolo Machiavelli
Presidential Elections: Strategies and Structures of American Politics (Presidential Elections) - David Hopkins,
Nelson W. Polsby, and Aaron Wildavsky
Readings in Presidential Politics - George Edwards
Rewiring Politics: Presidential Nominating Conventions in the Media Age (Media and Public Affairs) - Costas
Panagopoulos
The Road to the White House, 2000: The Politics of Presidential Elections, The Post Election Edition - Stephen
J. Wayne
Rogue Nation - Clyde Prestowitz
Ronald Reagan - Dinesh D'Souza (a book about Reagan the man)
Ronald Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime - Joe Cannon
Running on Race: Racial Politics in Presidential Campaigns 1960-2000 - Jeremy D. Mayer
Shadow - Bob Woodward (presidents and the media by one of the two journalists who broke Watergate).
Showdown at Gucci Gulch - Jeffrey Birnbaum and Alan Murray
Spin Cycle - Howard Kurtz (the art of "spin" revealed)
Spin This - Bill Press
Stickin: The Case for Loyalty - James Carville
Take It Back: A Battle Plan for Democratic Victory by James Carville and Paul Begala
Thank You for the Memories Mr. President - Helen Thomas
The Way Things Ought to Be - Rush Limbaugh (a similar theme to Carville's book (We’re Right, They’re
Wrong) but from a conservative perspective)
We the Students - Dr. Jamin Raskin
We're Right, They're Wrong - James Carville (a similar theme to Limbaugh's book (The Way Things Ought to
Be) but from a liberal perspective)
Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America - Newt Gingrich
What Went Wrong - Bernard Lewis
Whatever it Takes: The Real Struggle for Political Power in America - Elizabeth Drew
Why Americans Hate Politics - F.J. Dionne
You may also choose to read any political book published since 2000 or a biography
of any recent (since 1960) president or "prominent" American politician.
Book Report Instructions
Each book report should be approximately 700-800 words in length and should include the
following:
1. A basic bibliographical citation --- author, title, place and date of publication
at the top of the first (title) page.
2. A brief identification of the AUTHOR(S), which might include answers to the
following: When/where born ? Where/how educated ? Special expertise or
qualifications to write about this subject ? Present position ?
3. A SUMMARY of the book's contents and a description of its general scope
and nature; also a brief identification of the book's major themes, content and
conclusion. Points covered might include:
a) Subject matter covered
b) Author's purpose: what is he/she trying to do ?
c) Period of time covered ?
d) Topics/issues emphasized ?
e) Supporting evidence presented
f) Organization ?
g) Is the book historical/political/social/economic/biographical ?
h) What did the book teach you about how the "game" of politics is played ?
4. Outline notes are to be stapled to the back of the report.
5. A CRITICAL EVALUATION, which might include:
a) Strengths or weaknesses of the book ?
b) Were the sources presented by the author primary or secondary?
c) Was the author balanced, objective or biased ?
d) Charts/illustrations used ?
e) Literary style ?

Syllabus

AP U.S Government and Politics
Syllabus
Course Description
This is a one semester study of the various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that make up the
American political reality. Students prepare to take the College Board AP Government and
Politics Exam and possibly receive college course credit. The course is rigorous, fast paced and
requires extensive reading.
Grading
Six weeks grades will be determined as follows:
Tests: 70%
Daily Grades: 30%
The semester exam will constitute 20% of the semester average.
There will be a test at the end of each instructional unit. Reading quizzes will be given
periodically in order to evaluate the students’ knowledge of the material.
Texts
Government in America: People, Politics and Policy Tenth Edition by George C. Edwards III,
Martin P. Wattenberg and Robert Lineberry; Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.; New York; 2002.
American Government: Readings and Cases 16th Edition by Peter Woll; Addison Wesley
Longman, Inc.; New York; 2006.
Supplemental Readings and Data Analysis
Students will be expected to read and discuss relevant Op-Ed pieces written in the New York
Times, Washington Post and The Economist. In addition, student will analyze tables and data
about topics that include, voter turnout statistics, percentages of incumbents who get reelected,
numbers of federal laws that have been overturned by the Supreme Court, amount of federal
expenditures in the US budget, characteristics of Congressional members and Federal judges, and
amount of legislation vetoed by the President.
Assessment
Tests will consist of 50-60 multiple choice questions about the instructional unit. Students will be
given several free response questions to choose from dealing with the topics during each
instructional unit. Some free response essays will be take home quiz grades, while others will
require timed responses during the class period.
Woll Reading
1. Students should prepare at least a 3 min. summary of the assigned reading and
present to class (can use visual aids)
2. Students should prepare to answer questions from peers and from the
instructor.
3. Presentation will count as one daily grade.
Curriculum Outline and Course Readings
January 6 – February 6
I. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
A. Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution
B. Separation of powers
C. Federalism
D. Theories of Democratic Government
II. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
A. The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
B. Knowledge of substantive rights and liberties
C. The impact of the 14th Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties
Government in America, Chapters 1-5, US Constitution
Woll Reader,
Part 1
1. Locke, Second Treatise, Of Civil Government
2. Beard, Framing the Constitution
3. Madison, Federalist 47, 48, 51
4. Hamilton, Federalist 16, 17
5. Bryce, The Merits of the Federal System
6. McCulloch v Maryland
7. Grodzins, The Federal System
8. National Power over the States, United States v Morrison
Part 2
1. Anti-Federalist Paper No.84
2. The Fourteenth Amendment, Gideon v Wainright
3. Holmes, The Need to Maintain a Free Marketplace of Ideas
4. Equal Protection, Plessy v Ferguson
5. Establishment Clause, Engel v Vitale
6. School Vouchers, Zelman v Simmons-Harris
7. Right to Abortion, Roe v Wade
8. Affirmative Action, Adarand Constructors, Inc. v Pena
February 9 – March 13
III. Political Beliefs and Behaviors
A. Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders
B. Processes by which citizens learn about politics
C. The nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion
D. The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life
E. Factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in terms of political beliefs and behaviors
IV. Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass Media
A. Political Parties and Elections
1. Functions
2. Organization
3. Development
4. Effects on the Political Process
5. Electoral laws and systems
B. Interest Groups, including political action committees (PAC’s)
1. The range of interests represented
2. The activities of interest groups
3. The effects of interest groups on the political process
4. The unique characteristics and roles of PAC’s in the political process
C. The Mass Media
1. The functions and structures of the media
2. The impacts of media on politics
Government in America, Chapters 6-11
Woll Reader,
Part 1
1. Madison, Federalist 10
2. Schattschneider, Party Government
3. Wattenberg, Perspectives on American Political Parties
4. Mayhew, Divided We Govern
5. Key, Theory of Critical Elections
6. Berelson, Lazarsfield and McPhee, Democratic Practice and Democratic Theory
7. Key, The Responsible Electorate
8. Buckley v Valeo
Part 2
1. Truman, The Governmental Process
2. Mark J. Rozell and Clyde Wilcox, Interest Groups and the American Political System
3. Larry J. Sabato, The Misplaced Obsession with PACs
March 23 – May 1
V. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the
Federal Courts
A. The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power
B. Relationships among these four institutions and varying balances of power
C. Linkages between institutions and the following:
1. Public opinion and voters
2. Interest groups
3. Political parties
4. The media
5. State governments
Government in America, Chapters 12-13, 15-16
Woll Reader
1. Morris P. Fiorina, The Rise of the Washington Establishment
2. Richard F. Fenno, Jr., If, As Ralph Nader Says, Congress Is “The Broken Branch,” How Come We
Love Our Congressmen So Much?
3. David R. Mayhew, Congress: The Electoral Connection
4. Richard F. Fenno, Jr., Home Style and Washington Career
5. Clinton Rossiter, The Presidency-Focus of Leadership
6. Richard E. Neustadt, Presidential Power
7. Thomas Cronin and Michael Genovese, Presidential Paradoxes
8. James David Barber, The Presidential Character
9. David Brooks, How to Run for President
10. William Brennan, How the Supreme Court Arrives at Decisions
11. James Q. Wilson, The Rise of the Bureaucratic State
VI. Public Policy
A. Policymaking in a Federal System
B. The formation of policy agendas
C. The role of institutions in the enactment of policy
D. The role of the bureaucracy and the courts in policy implementation and interpretation
E. Linkages between policy processes and the following:
a. Political institutions and federalism
b. Political parties
c. Interest groups
d. Public opinion
e. Elections
f. Policy networks
Government in America, Chapters 14, 17-20
Review meetings 4:00 p.m. each Tuesday in April.
Exam practice.
AP Government and Politics Exam: Monday, May 4, 2009

Textbook

Edwards, George, et. al., Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy, 10th ed., New
York, Pearson Education, 2004.