New from former FL governor and senator Bob Graham

By Jessica Schneider May 31, 2009, 10:12 GMT

Would you teach someone to play basketball using just chalkboard diagrams? Or would you get them on the court and have them play? In basketball, the answer is easy -- you do both. So why teach politics only as a spectator sport? Senator Bob Graham believes that students should expand on their classroom learning about the political system: he spurs them to hit the court and actually ...more

“America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work for You” is the latest by Bob Graham and Chris Hand.

According to the AP, the two authors have: “have included case studies such as efforts to save South Beach's historic buildings, crack down on drunken driving across the nation and reduce property insurance rates in the Florida Keys that all began with one citizen or a small group. There's also advice from a variety of experts.”

Part of the product description notes:

“Senator Bob Graham believes that students should expand on their classroom learning about the political system: he spurs them to hit the court and actually play the game. If students work on an issue they care about, politics will become a meaningful and positive experience.

This short, how-to guide takes students out of theoretical discussions of policy and into a world where they can affect change. Graham's goal is to have students identify a problem, and then walk them through each step from researching the issue, to getting others involved, to engaging the media.

Each chapter starts with a real case, showing citizens tackling a step in the process, and ends with a summary checklist and a series of questions that help students put Graham’s game plan in action. By offering students concrete guidance, an array of resources, and advice for troubleshooting and overcoming barriers, this compact user's guide gets students way beyond textbook learning.

This book is the culmination of his efforts that began after a year in the state legislature more than 30 years ago, when Senator Graham took on the challenge of civic education at one school in Jacksonville. His time as both a governor and a senator has only strengthened his resolve to pique students' curiosity about politics and teach them to get what they want from government.”

Read the AP article here.