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A.P. U.S. Government and Politics

Summer Reading Assignment 2013-2014

As a part of the AP U.S. Government and Politics course you are required to read one book which is political in nature. You will have a large number of books to choose from; therefore no two students will be able to choose the same book. After reading your chosen book, you will complete the assignment provided below.

THE ASSIGNMENT 1. You need to create a blog account through a free blog service. Google’s Blogger is an easy to use resource, but there are other sites/services out there which are also free and secure (WordPress, Weebly). Pick your favorite. Think about the title of your blog carefully. You will want it to be a positive reflection of you. Also remember that this is a school assignment so the title needs to be appropriate for school.

2. You must share the URL address of your blog with Mrs. Davis. You may do so by adding your address to the spreadsheet at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ascg0y_aj9HidFRnV21SLV9tczZ3dkNmQTZHZUt5N3c&usp=drive _web#gid=0.

3. If you are uncomfortable with the world reading your thoughts and musings, you may set the account to “private,” but remember #2 above. I need to be able to read it to assess what you have accomplished. I encourage you to leave your blog public. I believe there is great value to putting your thoughts out there for public scrutiny. You will have the tendency to display your very best work and thoughts when you know your audience is larger than just your teacher!

4. This assignment is a “warm up” on blogging. We will be incorporating blogging into some of our readings and writings during the semester. For those of you who haven’t spent much time either reading blogs or creating your own, this is an opportunity to get your feet wet.

5. My goal in using blogging as one of our writing response methods this year will be to encourage authentic responses and writing in a less formal style than essays, to harness the power of feedback and responses to your writing, and to give students the opportunity to show growth in their writing over time. Learning and growing is an essential goal in this assignment, so don’t worry overly if your first attempts at this new style of writing aren’t perfect. It takes time to learn a new skill/style, and mistakes along the way are allowed. Some of our best growth comes from making mistakes and learning from them.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SUMMER READING RESPONSE

1. You will make a minimum of four (4) blog posts over the course of the summer that reflect on your reading and what you have learned from it. Blog posts should average between 200-800 words. FYI, this section on requirements (through #7) has just over 400 words (to give you an idea of length). You will not be penalized if your posts are longer.

2. Post 1: You should reflect on the process you used to choose a book, why you chose the book you chose and what you expect to learn from it. Also, look up information about the author and his/her qualifications and background. Do they have authentic expertise? Do you expect the book to be slanted or unbiased? Make your predictions. 3. Post 2: When you have read about 1/3 to 1/2 of the book, you should write a post that summarizes and reflects on the book to that point. You should end with a question that you have or a prediction about the rest of the book.

4. Post 3: When you finish the book, reflect back on the last half of the book. Write a summary and answer the questions or predictions you made in post 2.

5. Post 4: Write a critical review of the book. Would you recommend this book to other readers? Why or why not? Did it enhance or advance your understanding of politics in America? Why or why not?

6. Your book should be finished and your blog posts published prior to the first day of school in August. You will allow yourself more time for reflection if you finish the reading earlier than the last minute. Remember, part of the goal of blogging is to show improvement. That means it’s perfectly o.k. if your posts improve over time— that is actually what I hope for! You are NOT limited to 4 posts. If, while you think through this, you want to post more frequently, or you want to add clarification to an earlier post (after reflection), that is encouraged.

7. I will not assess your posts until after school starts, so if you do want to edit or make additions after reflection, you can do so without worrying that I have already formally assessed your writing. I would, however, love to

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A.P. U.S. Government and Politics

Summer Reading Assignment 2013-2014

receive an email with the link to your blog post as soon as you start the process. See #8 below. That way, I can start reading earlier, and will have the opportunity to give you thoughtful comments/feedback, as appropriate, as you progress. My email address is [email protected]. 8. I have created a Google Docs spreadsheet for you to use to give me your email address and your blog address. We will all have access to this spreadsheet to make updates/changes and it will provide a way for all of us to follow one another and make contact. The link is below:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ascg0y_aj9HidFRnV21SLV9tczZ3dkNmQTZHZUt5N3c&usp=drive_we b#gid=0

Other “food for thought” as you decide what to write about – these are merely suggestions to help you if you need them – do not feel limited or confined to these ideas/suggestions – I only offer them to help those who need it:

1. For Post 1, you might answer the following questions about the author: When/where born? Where/how educated? Special expertise or qualifications to write about this subject? Present position? 2. For Posts 2 and 3, additional points you could include (included to help spark thought if you are stuck): a) A SUMMARY of the book's contents and a description of its general scope and nature b) A brief identification of the book's major themes, content and conclusion. c) Subject matter covered d) Author's purpose: what is he/she trying to do? e) Period of time covered? f) Topics/issues emphasized? g) Supporting evidence presented h) Organization? i) Is the book historical/political/social/economic/biographical? j) What did the book teach you about how the "game" of politics is played?

3. For Post 4, a “critical evaluation” might include: a) Strengths or weaknesses of the book? b) Were the sources presented by the author primary or secondary? c) Was the author balanced, objective or biased? d) Charts/illustrations used? e) Literary style?

Finally, if you have ANY questions about this assignment, please contact me. Before school dismisses for summer, you can find me in my classroom (125). I am also available by email at [email protected] . I am very excited about next year and working with each of you.

Book Selection

1. Choose any book from the list below.

2. No two students will be allowed to choose the same book.

3. Check to see if the books listed below are available in a library or a friend or parent’s bookshelf before buying them. You might also look at online sites for “deals” – Amazon runs a Kindle daily deal and who knows, some of these might show up on it for cheap or free (or free to borrow for a month if you have a Prime membership); additionally, check the public library.

4. Refer to the instructions at the bottom of the list for directions on completing your written assignment.

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A.P. U.S. Government and Politics

Summer Reading Assignment 2013-2014

READING LIST

1. The 15 Biggest Lies About Politics - Major Garrett (2000) 2. 40 More Years: How the Democrats Will Rule the Next Generation – and Rebecca Buckwalter-Poza (2009) 3. The 48 Laws of Power – Robert Greene (2000) 4. All Politics is Local - Tip O'Neill (1995) 5. All too Human - George Stephanopolous (2000) 6. Alpha Dogs: The Americans Who Turned Political Spin Into a Global Business – James Harding 7. The Art of Political War - David Horowitz 8. The Audacity of Hope – Barack Obama 9. Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms: My Life in American Politics - 10. Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus – Rick Perlstein (2009) 11. The Best Democracy Money Can Buy - Greg Pallast 12. Blinded by the Right - David Brock 13. Bowling Alone - Robert Putnam 14. The Brethren – Bob Woodward 15. The Broken Branch: How Congress is Failing America and How To Get It Back on Track – T.E. Mann and N.J. Ornstein (2008) 16. The Buying of the Congress - Charles Lewis 17. The Buying of the President 2000 - Charles Lewis 18. A Call to Revolution - Martin L. Gross 19. The Case for Sovereignty: Why the World Should Welcome American Independence – Jeremy Rabkin (2004) 20. Closed Chambers - Edward Lazarus 21. The Coldest War - James Brady 22. The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream – Gary Shapiro (2011) 23. Conscience of a Conservative – Barry Goldwater 24. The Conscience of a Liberal – Paul Krugman (2009) 25. The Conservative Soul – Andrew Sullivan (2007) 26. The Corruption of American Politics: What Went Wrong and Why - Elizabeth Drew 27. The Courage of Their Convictions - Peter Irons 28. The Cousins' Wars; Religion, Politics and the Triumph of Anglo-America - Kevin Phillips 29. Crisis and Command: A History of Executive Power from George Washington to George W. Bush – John Yoo (2010) 30. Dead Center: Clinton-Gore Leadership and the Perils of Moderation - Burns and Sorensen 31. Democracy’s Discontent – Michael Sandel 32. Dirty Sexy Politics – Meghan McCain (John McCain’s daughter) (2010) 33. Do the Right Thing – (2008) 34. Don’t Start the Revolution without Me – Jesse Ventura 35. Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power – (2012) 36. Echo Chamber: and the Conservative Media Establishment – K.H. Jamieson and J.N. Cappella (2010) 37. End the Fed – Ron Paul (2009) 38. The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot – Naomi Wolf (2007) 39. Eat the Rich: A Treatise on Economics - P. J. O'Rourke 40. The Enemy Within: Saving America from the Liberal Assault on Our Schools, Faith, and Military - Michael Savage 41. Everything You Think You Know About Politics and Why You Are Wrong - Kathleen Jameson 42. Eyewitness to Power - David Gergen 43. Flawed Giant - Robert Dalik

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A.P. U.S. Government and Politics

Summer Reading Assignment 2013-2014

44. Foxes in the Henhouse: How the Republicans Stole the South and the Heartland and What the Democrats Must Do to Run 'em Out - Steve Jarding, Dave "Mudcat" Saunders, and Bob Kerrey 45. Free Speech for Me, But not for Thee - Nat Hentoff 46. Front Row at the White House - Helen Thomas 47. The Future of Freedom - Fareed Sakaria 48. : Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime – John Heilemann and Mark Halperin (2010) 49. Gideon's Trumpet - Anthony Lewis 50. ’s Common Sense – Glenn Beck 51. Hail to the Chief - Robert Dalik 52. Hardball: How Politics is Played, Told by One Who Knows the Game – Chris Matthews (1999) 53. – John McCain 54. Hats in the Ring - Brad Chapinsky 55. Hell Fire Nation: The Politics of Sin in American History - James Morone 56. Hill Rat: Blowing the Lid Off Congress - John L. Jackley 57. Hillary Rodham Clinton: A First Lady for our Time - Donnie Radcliffe 58. How to Run for Local Office : A Complete, Step-By-Step Guide that Will Take You Through the Entire Process of Running and Winning a Local Election by Robert J. Thomas 59. How Women Legislate - Sue Thomas 60. If Democrats Had Any Brains, They’d Be Republicans – (2008) 61. In Defense of Government: The Fall and Rise of Public Trust - Jacob Weisberg 62. : Bush's Brain - James Moore and Wayne Slater 63. Lies and the Lying Liars That Tell Them - Al Franken 64. Lies My Teacher Told Me - James Loewen 65. The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism – Andrew Bacevich (2009) 66. Living History - 67. The Man in the Middle: An Inside Account of Faith and Politics in the George W. Bush Era – Timothy S. Goeglein and Karl Rove (2011) 68. Man of the House - Tip O'Neill 69. Managing the President's Program: Presidential Leadership and Legislative Policy Formulation (Princeton Studies in American Politics) - Andrew Rudalevige 70. The Manship School Guide to Political Communication- David D. Perlmutter 71. Mass Media and American Politics – Doris A. Graber 72. The Meaning of Is: The Squandered Impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton – Bob Barr 73. Means of Ascent - Robert Caro 74. Men in Black: How the Supreme Court Is Destroying America - Mark R. Levin 75. A Mormon in the White House?: 10 Things Every American Should Know about - Hugh Hewitt 76. The Natural; the misunderstood presidency of - Joe Klein 77. The New Media Monopoly – Ben H. Bagdikian (2004) 78. The New Prince: Machiavelli in the 21st Century - 79. The Nine – Jeffrey Tooban 80. No Fault Politics: Modern Presidents, The Press, and Reformers - Eugene McCarthy 81. Off With Their Heads - Dick Morris 82. On the Campaign Trail: The Long Road of Presidential Politics, 1860-2004 - Douglas E. Schoen 83. The Paradox of American Democracy - John Judas 84. Parliament of Whores - P.J. O'Rourke 85. Party Polarization in Congress – Sean M. Theriault (2008) 86. Political Ambition - Linda Fowler and Robert McClure 87. The Political Bestiary - Eugene McCarthy 88. The Political Brain – Drew Westen 89. Politics in the Clinton Years - Molly Ivins

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A.P. U.S. Government and Politics

Summer Reading Assignment 2013-2014

90. The Politics of Diplomacy – James A. Baker (1995) 91. The Politics of Freedom – David Boaz 92. The Politics of Rich and Poor - Kevin Phillips 93. The Politics Presidents Make: Leadership from John Adams to Bill Clinton - Stephen Skowronek 94. Power Plays - Dick Morris 95. The Presidency of James Earl Carter - B.T. Kaufman 96. Presidential Ambition: How the Presidents Gained Power, Kept Power and Got Things Done – Richard Shenkman 97. The Price of Politics – Bob Woodward (2012) 98. – Anonymous (actually Joe Klein) 99. The Prince (Bantam Classics) – Niccolo Machiavelli 100. Presidential Elections: Strategies and Structures of American Politics (Presidential Elections) – David Hopkins, Nelson W. Polsby, and Aaron Wildavsky 101. Readings in Presidential Politics – George Edwards 102. Red State, Blue State, Rich State, Poor State: Why Americans Vote The Way They Do – Andrew Gelman (2009) 103. Republican Gomorrah: Inside the Movement That Shattered the Party – Max Blumenthal (2009) 104. The Revolution: A Manifesto – Ron Paul (2009) 105. Rewiring Politics: Presidential Nominating Conventions in the Media Age (Media and Public Affairs) – Costas Panagopoulos 106. The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided By Politics and Religion – Jonathan Haidt (2011) 107. Rogue Nation – Clyde Prestowitz 108. Ronald Reagan – Dinesh D’Souza 109. Ronald Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime – Joe Cannon 110. Running on Empty: How the Democratic and Republican Parties Are Bankrupting Our Future and What Americans Can Do About It – Peter G. Peterson (2005) 111. Running on Race: Racial Politics in Presidential Campaigns 1960-2000 – Jeremy D. Mayer 112. Shadow – Bob Woodward 113. The Shadow Party: How George Soros, Hillary Clinton and Sixties Radicals Seized Control of the Democratic Party – David Horowitz and Richard Poe (2007) 114. Showdown at Gucci Gulch – Jeffrey Birnbaum and Alan Murray 115. A Slobbering Love Affair: The True (and Pathetic) Story of the Torrid Romance Between Barack Obama and the Mainstream Media – (2009) 116. Spin Cycle – 117. Spin This – Bill Press 118. Stickin: The Case for Loyalty – James Carville 119. Take It Back: A Battle Plan for Democratic Victory – James Carville and Paul Begala 120. Thank You for the Memories Mr. President – Helen Thomas 121. The Three Languages of Politics – Arnold Kling (2013) 122. Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortenson 123. The Triumph of Politics: Why the Reagan Revolution Failed – David Stockman (2013) 124. The Uprising – David Sirota 125. The Way Things Ought to Be – Rush Limbaugh 126. We the Students – Jamin Raskin 127. We’re Right, They’re Wrong – James Carville 128. What It Means to Be a Libertarian – Charles A. Murray (1997) 129. What Went Wrong – Bernard Lewis 130. Whatever It Takes: The Real Struggle for Political Power in America – Elizabeth Drew 131. Why Americans Hate Politics – F. J. Dionne 132. Why Women Should Rule the World – DeeDee Myers 133. Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe is Hijacking America – John Avlon and (2010) 134. Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America –

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A.P. U.S. Government and Politics

Summer Reading Assignment 2013-2014

135. Presidential Ambition: How the presidents gained power, kept power, and got things done - Richard Shenkman 136. Primary Colors -Anonymous (actually Joe Klein) 137. The Prince (Bantam Classics) - Niccolo Machiavelli 138. Presidential Elections: Strategies and Structures of American Politics (Presidential Elections) - David Hopkins, Nelson W. Polsby, and Aaron Wildavsky 139. Readings in Presidential Politics - George Edwards 140. Rewiring Politics: Presidential Nominating Conventions in the Media Age (Media and Public Affairs) - Costas Panagopoulos 141. The Road to the White House, 2000: The Politics of Presidential Elections, The Post Election Edition - Stephen J. Wayne 142. Rogue Nation - Clyde Prestowitz 143. Ronald Reagan - Dinesh D'Souza (a book about Reagan the man) 144. Ronald Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime - Joe Cannon 145. Running on Race: Racial Politics in Presidential Campaigns 1960-2000 - Jeremy D. Mayer 146. Shadow - Bob Woodward 147. Showdown at Gucci Gulch - Jeffrey Birnbaum and Alan Murray 148. Spin Cycle - Howard Kurtz (the art of "spin" revealed) 149. Spin This - Bill Press 150. Stickin: The Case for Loyalty - James Carville 151. Take It Back: A Battle Plan for Democratic Victory by James Carville and Paul Begala 152. Thank You for the Memories Mr. President - Helen Thomas 153. Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortenson 154. The Uprising – David Sirota 155. The Way Things Ought to Be - Rush Limbaugh 156. We the Students - Dr. Jamin Raskin 157. We're Right, They're Wrong - James Carville 158. Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America - Newt Gingrich 159. What Went Wrong - Bernard Lewis 160. Whatever it Takes: The Real Struggle for Political Power in America - Elizabeth Drew 161. Why Americans Hate Politics - F.J. Dionne 162. Why Women Should Rule the World – DeeDee Myers

Surely, you can find at least one book that interests you from a list of over 160 books! However, if you have researched these titles and don’t like any of them,

1. You may also choose to read any political book published since 1995 or a biography of any recent (since 1970) president or “prominent” American politician.

2. You may not submit the assignment on a book you have previously read for another class assignment in any other class. That is academically dishonest.

I encourage you to “expand your horizons.” If you consider yourself conservative, read something from a liberal stance, or vice versa. You are being asked to think “politically” on this assignment. Good luck!

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