Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #397787 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 240 pages

Synopsis
The host of the award-winning humorous news program offers tongue-in-cheek insight into American democracy with coverage of such topics as the republican qualities of ancient Rome, the antics of our nation's founders, and the ludicrous nature of today's media.

Customer Reviews

Genius.
Jon Stewart and his team at the Daily Show have done themselves proud once again. America the Book is a fantastic satirical look at the USA from the colonial era to present day and I am sure will be a set text for students the world over in years to come. Stewart's unique style makes reading this book a joy from start to finish, complete with pictures, diagrams and comprehensive flow charts to get anyone who struggles to criticise the worlds only super power a top grade in cynicism.

The only book to make me laugh out loud from start to finish.
Superb!

I Laughed, I Cried,, I Wept A Little, and Laughed Again
"This book has many fine qualities, but its cavalier disregard for accuracy of quotations, its insufficient scholarly documentation, its often quixotic use of illustrations, and its frequent usage of inappropriate language and word choices all detract from its virtues. With just a little more attention to detail, (well, in some cases, considerably more attention to detail), this book would stand as a first-rate addition to the literature." Prof. Stanley Schultz, Evaluation

In 2004 'America, The Book" was let loose on the general public and gobbled up (pardon, but it is almost Thanksgiving) thousands of missives. However, much has changed in the past two years, and the authors have written a sequel, for 'teachers', or those most learned. As the authors say, "A sires of well-publicized scandals have called into question the very meaning of such terms as 'plagiarism', 'authenticity' and 'three-year crack binge'. In one of the paradigm shifts that periodically sweep the publishing world, truth has become this year's bullshit." They added Professor Schultz's notations on every page and sometimes his notations are the page. All in all, this book has the makings of the US History Book for all ages.

Where to begin to describe this book, to shed a little light for those who unsuspecting buy the book and become part of the confused masses. To begin with there is a 'Timeline of Democracy' from Stonehenge through 1621 when the Plymouth Rock became too crowded and the Pilgrims left. The Founding of America, chapter 2 is filled with many mistakes, don't read it. Chapter 3 The president: King of Democracy has a few good points but go directly to chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7. The Congress, The Judicial Branch, Campaigns and Elections and The Media. Anything and everything you ever did not want to know is included here. You may never vote again after reading these chapters, but so be it. Chapters 8 and 9, The Future of Democracy and The Rest of the World are to be read immediately, maybe start with these chapters and work backwards like the politicians do.

Jon Stewart and his cronies, mmhmm, writers have penned a marvelous book full of lies and deceit. Some useful information may be gleaned if you look hard enough. Thomas Jefferson wrote the forward and that may be the most important piece of writing in the entire missive. I do recommend this book to all serious students of history and those who are not serious at all. For everyone and don't forget the teachers.

Warily recommended for intelligentsia.. Heartily recommended for the rest of us.
prisrob 11/19./06.

Take it on the train - if you dare
This is a very funny and witty book - even for those of us who only take a swiftly passing interest in news media or politics. If you enjoyed the likes of Have I got News for You, Brass Eye and remember the Friday Night Armistice, you'll have some idea of the tone - hit and miss satire(though more hit), with a few laugh-out-loud moments.

The textbook format makes the heavy subject matter amusing, light and, I daresay, fluffy even. It's quite clear that the writers know their stuff! It doesn't pull any punches and you get the feeling that there was a whole lot more that even they thought might be too objectionable to keep in. The book was even banned in Mississippi libraries, albeit for one night.

If you're reading this, you're probably a UK fan of the Daily Show. The only question it raises is this: when do we get our own version?