Prepared by author Beth Henschen.

This text addresses all of the major topics of an American government course, such as elections, Congress, pubic policy, etc. However, unlike many introductory texts, it emphasizes a more topical and provocative approach that probes the very foundations of America's governmental and political institutions looking for answers to the question: Why are Americans at odds with each other? Each chapter includes a discussion of a significant political issue and presents both sides of that issue, showing how Americans are truly "at odds" with each other politically.