Gina Misiroglu has authored or edited more than three dozen books in the popular culture, biography, American history, folklore, and women studies genres. She holds two degrees from UCLA and has worked in various editorial capacities for publishers such as Price Stern Sloan, New World Library, Visible Ink Press, Facts On File, and Routledge. She has contributed to or authored several 'Handy Answer Book' titles, including The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) and The Handy Politics Answer Book. Additional notable works include the three-volume American Countercultures: An Encyclopedia of Nonconformists, Alternative Lifestyles, and Radical Ideas in U.S. History, winner of the 2010 RUSA Award for Outstanding Reference Source; The Superhero Book: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Comic-Book Icons and Hollywood Heroes; and the trade anthology Girls Like Us: 40 Extraordinary Women Celebrate Girlhood in Story, Poetry, and Song, winner of the New York Public Library's 'Best Book for Teens' Award. Misiroglu lives in Los Angeles and is proud to say she votes in every national and local election.

• IntroductionPart I. The American System1. The Basics of Democracy2. The Constitution3. FederalismPart II. The Political Institutions4. The Congress5. The Presidency6. The CourtsPart III. People and Politics7. Civil Liberties and Rights8. Political Opinion9. Interest Groups10. Political Parties11. Campaigns and Elections12. The MediaAppendicesThe U.S. ConstitutionFurther ReadingIndex

"… provides clear definitions and explanations for nearly 800 areas of governance … a solid resource for high-school students and any general readers with questions about how government works." — Booklist“If there was ever a book you need to wrap up for your political giftee, it’s “The Handy American Government Answer Book” by Gina Misiroglu. Imagine pages and pages that make politics easy to understand and that explain how things work.” – Bookworm Sez“… answers about 1,000 questions related to the function of the US government, covering basics and contemporary issues … the origins of American government; the Constitution; federalism; the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and related concepts …” — Book NewsPraise for the previous edition ...". . . this easy-to-navigate book removes complexity from a serious subject: government." — Tampa Tribune"This reference is a meaningful addition to the educational tools [for] students as well as general political observers and voters who want to better understand the issues of the day." — American Reference Books