This book is what has been missing from our shelves! As an educator who slept through all of my history courses, I came out of high school and college with an incomplete and embarrassingly erroneous understanding of what US history and civics are about. This is the book that changed all that for me.

Comprehensible, accessible and actually engaging, A User's Guide to De,mocracy provides an in-depth look at government, history and civics. Drawings make ideas more easily grasped and understood.

In terms of using this book with students, although I believe that they should go more in depth with primary and secondary sources when studying history, this book is a great supplement and can be helpful for explaining concepts that are more layered, nuanced or complex.

#NetGalley #AUsersGuideToDemocracy

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing an advance copy of this book.

At this point I have ready quite a few books about our system of government, but I still enjoyed and learned from this one! I actually think it would be perfect for middle school or high school classes, and I could even see myself using excerpts from some of the chapters if I still taught upper elementary social studies. Some of the concepts included are quite basic, but it really does include a great overview of all the quirky systems that make up our government. It also includes sections on voting and running for office. Throughout, I thought the authors did a great job of acknowledging our country's racist history and explaining in an accessible way how those views created the foundation for our government and still impact us today. I recommend this for anyone, young or old, who wants to know more about how our country works!

Review posted on Goodreads on Sep. 29, 2020.

I’m still in the second section of this book, but I’ve read enough to make some comments. I wonder who the target audience is for this book. Junior high school? High school? College? Adults who want to expand their knowledge? Immigrants who need to learn about the American system of government?
I ask first and foremost because of the language. On the one hand, a lot of the language is academic level – basically the language that is associated with the constitution and government institutions. If this an introductory level book, this language produces a text which makes for heavy reading for many readers. An introductory book should try to introduce the topics using much simpler vocabulary. You can’t assume that the uninitiated know what it means to “ratify”. I know quite a lot about the workings of the American government, so it is pretty easy for me to follow, but when I try to put myself in the place of someone who needs an introduction, I think I would find the text very heavy and difficult to follow.

On the other hand, the book tries to be very folksy, so interspersed with the legalistic, technical, constitutional terms, there is a lot of slang and low register language. For example, “who gets to do it actually?”, “give the thumbsup”, “all bets are off”. I believe the mixture of low and high register is meant to provide some humour and lighten up an otherwise rather heavy text, but I think the authors take a great chance here. Slang ages rapidly, and not all age groups use the same slang. And slang can make the text even more difficult for some students, especially those whose native language is not English.
Some of the humour seems to be geared toward older, or at least more academic readers. One of the first lines in the book says, “you have to know about.. the structure of our federal government…it, like Gaul, like Lear’s kingdom, is divided into three.” How many high school students know that Gaul was invited into three (or even what Gaul was?) or are familiar with King Lear. Another sentence that tried to be funny depends on familiarity with the genre of Westerns. “If you’re like most of us and enjoy the gentle click of a fat leather satchel of coins hitting the bar at the tavern, you’ll enjoy the expression “the power of the purse.” How many of today’s students have ever watched a Western?
I also think that the book needs to put more emphasis on explaining ideas before it goes into the more technical details. One way to do this would be to use situations that students can relate to – for example, how should student council be elected in a school that has classes of various sizes and of different natures (academic, arts, special needs). This would be a great way to help students understand the difference between the Senate and the House.

On the positive side, the book is rich in details, and examples of government in action enhance the reader’s understanding. The examples are often extreme, which is both illuminating and humorous.
A minor but annoying detail. In a paragraph discussing the religious affiliation of members of the House, we are told that 53% are Protestant, 32% Catholic, 1.4% Morman, and that there are 3 Muslims and 1 Buddist. Why do they skip over the Jewish members of the house, some 36, or 6%? Why are they less worthy of mention than the single Buddist?

Overall, I think this would be a good book for teens and adults on a high literacy level who want to become more familiar with the workings of the American government. I think it would be difficult going for younger students or for immigrants/immigrant children or anyone whose native language is not English.

Full review on goodreads. Really thorough book and a hefty read but laid out well with some humor that kept me going. Young people might have trouble with it without guidance, but I think it’s a perfect choice for schools and classes or sections on government.

You know all that information about the US government that everyone should know, but no one was really paying attention in high school civics and therefore doesn't know? There is now a better way to learn all of it. A User's Guide to Democracy is a fairly complete, approachable book designed to give students a groundwork for understanding America. From the branches of government and elections all the way to essential historical documents and key court cases, this book clearly explains what You need to know to understand why the United States government functions the way it does.
While the majority of students aren't ever going to be thrilled by courses in government, this book makes it much less painful to give the idea due consideration. I will be recommending it to my colleagues and I intend to keep a copy in my office for reference. I feel much better educated for having read this book.
Thank you to Celadon Books for the ARC!

"A User's Guide to Democracy" could have easily been "You fell asleep in your government class and this is what you missed". The American government is a very complex system that many citizens are clueless about how it is run. They think they know, but seriously do they really know?
The topics of the Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, Judicial Branch are discussed in detail that will grab your attention. That was only the first 100 pages or so (I read an advanced e-copy). The matter of fact details that the authors, Nick Capodice and Hannah McCarthy share are interesting and informative. With the state of our city, state, and federal government elected officials it helps the reader understand the intricate details that occur in the elected office. The light funny comedic drawings, illustrated by Tom Toro offer a visual for those of us that find government a little daunting. This was an enjoyable informative book that helped shed light on my high school and college boring educators that droned on about their views. "A User's Guide to Democracy" is just that an informative and humorous book to draw in readers to a sometimes tedious subject.

Thank you, Net Galley and Celadon books for this ARC! Thank you @celadon @nickcapodice @hannahmccarthy @netgalley for writing, promoting, and publishing this book. #auser'sguidetodemocracy

A well written, easy to read book that every high school student should read before graduating. I took college prep courses and didn’t walk away with two thirds of the knowledge that this resource contains.
I plan on purchasing this book to have on my bookshelf and will ensure that my grandchildren read through it with me. Kudos to the authors.

A User's Guide to Democracy is a reference book that marries Schoolhouse Rock to The West Wing and produces a delightful nerdgasm of information on all things US government. Want to know how a bill gets passed? It has that. Have a vague idea of why Ruth Bader Ginsberg is hero-worshipped? That supreme court section (and particularly the 15 most important SCOTUS decisions) has you covered.

This is a great book for budding history buffs, interested high school/college kids, or someone (like me) who doesn't remember 10th grade US Studies class.

The authors also host/produce podcasts so check out Civics 101 and Outside/In.

I loved this book but keep in mind I'm an absolute nerd. this was a fun/interesting/fascinating look at the rules that make democracy tick. I'd say put it on your holiday gift list but you may need to gift it out before November.

The way this book was written would make it perfect for a high school government class. While there are bits of humor, it was refreshingly free of partisanship. The information is presented in clear, concise writing with very effective elaboration to help readers visualize what this looks like in our society. And I can now never unsee that the Baldwin’s are related to Millard Fillmore.

A well written introductory civics text on the three branches in the U.S.Democracy. The text uses the constitution to guide the discussion. A good summary of each president with accomplishments and important Supreme Courts cases. The text includes on important and interesting facts. Appropriately geared for the grade level audience.

This is such a user friendly book! The author took the complexities of how America works and put together this guide using pictures and short descriptions. I feel that this is especially great for visual learners. Everyone living in our country should have a basic idea how our government runs and this is the perfect guide.

Remember in high school when you’d take a nap or zone out during government class? Was it just me? History and Politics were not my jam as a 16-year-old. Do I regret that now? A tad, but this book helped me get back on track as if I did pay attention in high school.

And by no means is this book meant for high school students. It’s meant for adults who have become way more passionate about politics over the last few years, perhaps coming to the realization our country needs a lot of help.

This book filled with dense and complex ideas explained through fun pictures and light commentary. The amount of information can be overwhelming, but this book could be easily compared to Spark Notes with a large side of humor.

I learn best by living through situations. And in high school, I didn’t know what was going on in the world. Now, I do, which is why I think this book is so important.

Another big fact to know, after reading this e-book ARC I will buying a print copy tomorrow when it hits the shelves. This book is so timely given our political climate, no matter which party you vote for.

Big thanks to Net Galley and Celadon books for this ARC!

I am a fan of Civics 101, and while the written form is true to its parent podcast, it loses some of the punch of a short-form audio. What are great digestible nuggets in the podcast become somewhat unwieldy as non-fiction reference. For young people interested in understanding the fundamentals of civics, however, it present the information in accessible and entertaining form.

A simple and easy read! It provides a good foundation to the basics of how our government works. This can easily be adapted in the classroom for students who may not have as good of an understanding of basic democracy. This book is timely more than ever with the 2020 election quickly approaching!

This is a very comprehensive, informative, yet easy to read book about how the government in the US works. This is a great book for people who want to get informed before the election. The language is easy to understand and the drawings make it even more appealing.

Bravo! All you need to know is that I read an advanced reader e-book and as soon as it is available I will buy a print copy for myself and several family members. It is filled with valuable information and much of it is no longer taught. It is a book that is very timely considering the times we are in. How do we know what needs to change, what needs to stay the same and how we can effectively work to advance a change or work to make sure things stay as they are if we don't know the hows and whys things are the way they are?
This book contains much information that I once knew and had forgotten as well as many things I never knew. Thank you @celadon @nickcapodice @hannahmccarthy @netgalley for writing, promoting and publishing this book. It will be relevant for many years to come!
#auser'sguidetodemocracy

In an easy to follow format, with amusing cartoons and quips, this title reads like an idiot's guide to the government. Quick read, and self explanatory, this title is great for teens and adults that need a refresher on how America is run...politically.

A book filled with dense, complex ideas explained through fun pictures and light commentary. The sheer amount of interesting facts and break downs of specific facets of the federal government and its history is a little bit overwhelming. I kept wishing my brain was big enough to store all of this important information. I guess it's a good thing I have this book to reference instead.

I love this book. It provides a very readable explanation of how our government works. Humor is inserted as well as a few tongue in check comments about current events that makes this book very "readable". . It could easily have been titled "An Idiot's Guide to Democracy". My copy is a digital one but I would love to have a hard copy to sit on my shelves as a reference book. Most citizens do not know how our government works or why our founding fathers put the checks and balances and procedures in place. The book makes of the mysteries of government. Every citizen should have a copy of this book. I highly recommend this book! Publication date is set for September. It can't come out soon enough!
Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.