American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction

This book is a great example of what the VSI series should (and often does) achieve. It provides a thorough introduction to the topic that somehow combines incredibly mastery of detail with lively writing. The reader comes away with a solid grasp of the subject. As a professional political scientist who read this as a possible classroom textbook, I can attest that the information is of top quality. I'm enough of an academic that I always worry with well-written books if I'm really getting an accurate grounding in the subject, or if it is instead readable but superficial or misleading. No worries in this case. Maisel does it right. Non-American readers might detect a tinge (or more) of patriotism shining through, and sometimes the book seems pitched too clearly to Americans. I often thought I heard Maisel's voice lecturing his undergraduates when I read the book (not a bad thing in itself, I'm sure his lectures are fantastic). This is really a minor point though and, after all, we academics can never bring ourselves to write ONLY positive things in a review. All in all, this book more than delivers what it promises: an excellent, thorough, information-packed, and readable overview. Sandy Maisel was surely the right person to ask to write the book.

Despite all the high-level media coverage that politics gets in the US, the way that American political system works is rather obscure even for someone who has been following politics for many years. There are several key aspects of this system that make it very different from other highly developed democracies around the world. The most notorious one of these aspects, the electoral system, prevents direct election of the American president, and makes only a handful of states competitive in the presidential race. Furthermore, what makes the political system particularly complicated is the fact that each one of the fifty states has its own political and electoral idiosyncrasies. This book is a very useful first step for anyone who is serious about learning more about American politics. It covers all the main features of the system, without getting bogged down in technical details. It provides a concise and accessible overview, from both historical and contemporary points of view. The inclusion of several recent political contests makes the material relevant and approachable. It is an easy and enjoyable read and will be appreciated by anyone who is interested in the subject, whether you have been following American politics for decades or are completely new to it. I highly recommend it.