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Jonathan Harriot

A humoroius approach to education

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2020

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This book is incredibly informative and, mostly, truthful. I have bought it several times before and I usually end up giving to teachers, friends, and family because it brings light to some darker parts of our history as a nation.

I will buy this again.

Marquel Nakashima

Amazing Book

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2019

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This book was hilarious. I read it cover to cover. This is iconic and has had a happy home on my coffee table for years. 10/10

Adam J Miller

Great book, makes reading about history fun.

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2017

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This book is fantastic. It makes learning history fun and entertaining while taking the time to point out where the authors are just blatantly being comical so that those reading are sure to know what is factual and what is not. (Something I understand was added in the 2nd edition because of criticism of the 1st).

Jen Si

The Civics Book We Should Have Had

Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2004

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Jon Stewart and The Daily Show Team score big in this satrical text-book. "Democracy Inaction" teaches as well as misleads; gives hope and also takes it away. It is The Matrix in book form. Some of the facts are true, some are half-truths, some are outright lies, and the fact that the average reader cannot always tell the difference makes the book's point very clear. The government is run by a people who don't know what the government is or how it works. It's sad, but it's presented with such sharp wit that you take the medicine willingly.

For example, we learn that the president, no matter how much he wants to, cannot 'make' laws, unless of course he calls it a police action. We also learn that "Did you know" is copyrighted by a competing publishing company, so our little sidenotes always begin with "Were You Aware?". There is a also a lovely map that shows (in the familiar boardgame fashion) how to become President, and how to stay President once you are there. Samatha Bee pops in now and again with some information on Canadian government always apologizing for cutting in. The other correspondants have strong opinions as well, and I'm sure they are going to run themselves, just as soon as they can figure out how to take that practice podium home.

This is a very funny book, and a light read that could be made deeper if you want to take its more serious issues to heart. And even though Walmart won't sell it, I still recommend that you buy it. Freedom of speech and all that jazz;)

Amber Karlin

A great individual purchase, perhaps not as great an addition to the first edition

Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2006

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As a huge fan of America: The Book to begin with and as a high school teacher, I was excited to hear about a teacher's edition of Jon Stewart and co.'s extremely hilarious book. I had read the original a few times and consistently found it to tickle various political and social funny bones that most writing doesn't touch. The Teacher's Edition, of course, carries with it all that awesome humor and goofy commentary that made the first edition so great.

The only drawback, as far as I'm concerned, is that the Teacher's Edition doesn't have enough new content to be worth a double purchase. It essentially contains all the original material with a series of corrections scribbled in the margin. Yes, those corrections are often said with a sort of bemused disgust that I enjoy and appreciate, and it's interesting to see what gets edited and what doesn't, but those things alone are not enough to drive a second copy of the book. I don't regret my purchase, but I don't know if I would recommend that others buy it if they already have a copy of the first edition. If you're a ridiculously huge fan, or if you want the real facts to accompany the false ones, or if you just want two copies...sure, go nuts. But I'd stick with one copy per person; which one is your choice.

Raider Jack

Fun, Fun, Read!!!!!!

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2005

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America the Book, Democracy Inaction (excellent pun) takes an irreverent, thought-provoking, but generally quite funny look at America's political history. It offers up a wonderfully entertaining perspective from the writers of The Daily Show with occasional "contributions" from major staff members as well. Of course all jokes don't hit the mark, but the overall tone invites satire of the highest order. It is an easy read seeing as how there is no plot so you can actually pick it up at any point and still be able to "get it." If you are faithful fans of Jon Stewart/The Daly Show, this is indeed a promise fulfilled. The book is a satsifying blend of parody and satire in the spirit of Mad Magazine or the National Lampoon with a political slant.

I HIGHLY recommed though you may want to steer clear of reading it on public transportation. People tend to stare when you are reading and laughing out loud.

The forward by Thomas Jefferson (who apparently found out Halle Berry was single again!!!) is quite simply a stitch!!!

Karen Sampson Hudson

fun from start to finish

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2004

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Remember those earnest, bleak civics textbooks of 8th or 9th grade? Can you still picture the charts for "how a bill becomes a law"? Jon Stewart and the writers of the Daily Show have produced a book in that familiar format, but with "Mad" magazine content that will have you belly-laughing from the first page to the last.

For all you viewers who are hooked on the "Daily Show", you'll find that this book is even more fun. Unlike Al Franken's "Lies and the Lying Liars...", in which the humor is often so subtle that its targets may not even perceive they are been made lampooned, the satire of Stewart's book is flat-out and broadly rendered. Democrats, Republicans, the Green Party, the Bull Moose party---all are equally skewered. The same is true for Founding Fathers to current pols. Our perhaps most venerable institution, the Supreme Court, is not above Stewart and company's low blows.

There are some extra touches, like the very modest, hesitant and apologetic offerings from a Canadian girl, interspersed throughout. Witty, right-on-the mark charts and graphs are sure to provoke laughter.

Three cheers for checks and balances, the right of free speech, and the Daily Show writers!

Stephanie G.

and wonderfully wry reinterpretations of historical events

Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2014

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This book satirizes a high school government textbook to the T, including silly but profoundly critical discussion questions, diagrams explaining the least functioning parts of the government, and wonderfully wry reinterpretations of historical events. Be prepared for media and government critiques similar to those featured on Stewart's show, which, if we're honest, might be a better education about how things work than other interpretations.