The Politics Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained

by DK

Overview

From ancient and medieval philosophers such as Confucius and Thomas Aquinas, to revolutionary thought leaders such as Thomas Jefferson and Leon Trotsky, to the voices who have shaped modern politics today — Mao Zedong, Malcolm X, Che Guevara, and more — The Politics Book clearly and simply explains more than 100 groundbreaking ideas in the history of political thought.

With easy-to-follow graphics, succinct quotations, and accessible text, The Politics Book is an essential reference for students and anyone wondering how politics works.

Series Overview: Big Ideas Simply Explained series uses creative design and innovative graphics along with straightforward and engaging writing to make complex subjects easier to understand. With over 7 million copies worldwide sold to date, these award-winning books provide just the information needed for students, families, or anyone interested in concise, thought-provoking refreshers on a single subject.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781465402141
Publisher:	DK
Publication date:	02/18/2013
Series:	DK Big Ideas
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 9.50(h) x 1.05(d)

About the Author

DK was founded in London in 1974 and is now the world leading illustrated reference publisher and a member of the Penguin Random House division of Bertelsmann. DK publishes highly visual, photographic non-fiction for adults and children. DK produces content for consumers in over 100 countries and over 60 languages, with offices in the UK, India, US, Germany, China, Canada, Spain and Australia.

DK's aim is to inspire, educate and entertain readers of all ages, and everything DK publishes, whether print or digital, embodies the unique DK design approach. DK brings unrivaled clarity to a wide range of topics, with a unique combination of words and pictures, put together to spectacular effect. We have a reputation for innovation in design for both print and digital products.

Our adult range spans travel, including the award-winning DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, history, science, nature, sport, gardening, cookery and parenting. 

DK’s extensive children’s list showcases a fantastic store of information for children, toddlers and babies. DK covers everything from animals and the human body, to homework help and craft activities, together with an impressive list of licensing titles, including the best-selling LEGO® books.

DK acts as the parent company for Alpha Books, publisher of the Idiot's Guides series.

https://www.dk.com/

Editorial Reviews

"[A]n accessible introduction to centuries of political thought." – The Boston Globe

"[The Big Ideas Simply Explained books] are beautifully illustrated with shadow-like cartoons that break down even the most difficult concepts so they are easier to grasp. These step-by-step diagrams are an incredibly clever learning device to include, especially for visual learners." – Examiner.com

"Verdict: This book serves as a helpful introduction to the thoughts and theories that have influenced leaders and policy throughout world history. The bright, bold colors and illustrations help make the subject approachable. A good resource for middle and high school students who are interested in political science and history." – Library Journal

"With easy-to-follow graphics, succinct quotations, and accessible text, The Politics Book is an essential reference for students and anyone wondering how politics works." – Politico.com

From the Publisher

How do people choose their leaders and government? What schools of thought have shaped our expectations of ruling regimes and defined the values of different cultures? This book attempts to provide a broad overview of theories and concepts from around the world and across the ages. More than 100 political philosophers, among them Confucius, Plato, Machiavelli, Mary Wollstonecraft, Karl Marx, Ito Hirobumi, Emiliano Zapata, Jomo Kenyatta, and Mao Zedong, are covered in seven chronological sections ranging from "Ancient Political Thought" to "Postwar Politics." Entries are arranged within the sections in chronological order. Sections start with an introduction to the historical period covered, including a time line of philosophers and historic events, providing background and context for the various theories examined. The book is heavily illustrated with flow charts, pictures of important individuals, events, propaganda posters, advertisements, and political cartoons that support the explanations of the different political theories. Each entry focuses on a single notable individual's beliefs and contains sidebars summarizing that individual's ideology, focus, and historical context. Entries range from one to four pages in length each, with longer pieces listing the key works of the theorist, encouraging further reading. The basic tenets of the different philosophies are presented using simple, clear terminology. A directory of biographies provides brief information on 37 additional figures, among them Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Fidel Castro. VERDICT This book serves as a helpful introduction to the thoughts and theories that have influenced leaders and policy throughout world history. The bright, bold colors and illustrations help make the subject approachable. A good resource for middle and high school students who are interested in political science and history.—Susanne Caro, Univ. of Montana Lib., Missoula

Library Journal