The Art of the Possible
An Everyday Guide to Politics
by Edward Keenan
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Sep 15 2015 | Archive Date Jan 04 2017
Owlkids Books | Owlkids
Description
But what are politics, and why do we need them? This book answers the universal query in nine short chapters that explain everything from why we form societies and the basic types of governments to the power of public opinion, methods of rhetoric, and the reasons why politicians lie.”
Written in an accessible, conversational voice and packed with anecdotes and case studies from across history and around the world, this book helps foster independent thought and curiosity about how a government works or doesn’t work. Readers will come away equipped with the knowledge they need to understand current events and elections, and maybe even be empowered to civic action themselves.
Informational text features: table of contents, chapters, diagrams, sidebars, in-text definitions of key terms, glossary, index, and sources
A Note From the Publisher
– Framed around the idea that everyone in a society influences politics, even young people
– Helps develop political awareness and critical thinking skills Includes diverse anecdotes from across history and the globe
– Back matter contains glossary, index and sources
Advance Praise
— Publishers Weekly
"An optimistically presented introduction to politics."
— Kirkus
"Thanks to accessible content that will resonate with most students...this logical, relevant approach, combined with realistic suggestions on how to get involved, makes for an engaging alternative to standardized texts and just might spark some political careers."
— Booklist
"A highly accessible introduction to politics."
— School Library Journal
"Succeeds in conveying a topic often not covered at this grade level...a necessary book. Recommended."
— School Library Connection
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781771470681 |
PRICE | $17.95 (USD) |
PAGES | 64 |
Average rating from 11 members
Featured Reviews
This short book covers a wide spectrum of the activities encompassed in the field of politics. From advocacy, voting, government systems, and policy, to conflict resolution, argumentation, and the power of the individual to effect change, this book covers it all in an accessible, conversational style. It includes useful illustrations, a glossary of terms, and case studies for discussion, which would make it a good resource for classroom use.
This is an excellent book for a young child to read during this time of the year.
Ages 10-14. An even-handed and optimistic introduction to politics that teaches young people that politics isn't just something that happens somewhere else. One doesn't have to be old enough to vote to change the world—just look at Malala Yousafzai. We are introduced to a few kids who have made a major difference in their communities. We also learn about an average citizen who fought for what she believed in and won.
There are chapters with basic information on the types of government and the belief sets of different ideologies. Complex concepts are explained in a concise and easy-to-understand way. The author uses recent examples to elaborate on their points, such as the Iraq War, court rulings on gay marriage, and the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. The central focus is on being an active and informed citizen. This book discusses how groups of people with conflicting opinions can get better results. It answers many important questions on communicating well and the nature of conflict. How do you construct a good argument? In what ways is conflict both good and bad? What’s the difference between a fight and a debate?
This book is such a breath of fresh air during a contentious election season. It’s a great introduction to being an active and engaged citizen, even if you just keep informed and discuss issues with friends and family. Books like this will go a long way to cultivating an informed, rational generation of citizens.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Corinne Delporte, illustrated by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, translated by Carine Laforest
Children's Fiction