Do you think the electoral college sounds like a school for electricians? Do you associate the Great Sag with a clothing ordinance in Jonesboro instead of a period of deflation? Having just lived through a recession, are you still unsure how it differs from a depression?
Then "Americapedia: Taking the Dumb out of Freedom," (Walker & Company, $17), may be for you. The crash course in civics delivered with "Daily Show"-style humor puts a little fun in the facts of American life. The three branches of government are explained as a game of rock, paper, scissors, for example. The 2,500-plus year "battle" for Jerusalem is summarized in a timeline.
"It obviously can't be a replacement for a history text because we don't hit every topic, but our hope is that it would be a supplement," said Andishee Nouraee, the Atlanta-based writer who co-authored the book along with Jodi Lynn Anderson and Daniel Ehrenhaft.
Nouraee, a former columnist for Creative Loafing (and current staffer at CARE), said he and his co-writers were inspired by history teachers who went above and beyond dry, lifeless texts to make history more memorable. Nouraee specifically recalled his middle school history teacher, a Vietnam veteran who used personal photos to document historical events covered in class.
Though designed to address the lack of nonfiction writing for teens, the book will also appeal to adults who could use a little brushing up on current events, Nouraee said.
"One of the post 9/11 cliches is we are not protected by our oceans and we have to pay attention to what is happening in the world, but that didn't happen," he said. "When you watch the nightly news, the last 10 minutes is about cholesterol or heart attacks."
Americapedia authors have also set up a Facebook feedback page where readers can sound off. While research for the book was documented and fact checked, the authors encourage different perspectives and discussion about the content, Nouraee said. In addition to a book tour, the trio also plan to visit schools in their home cities: Atlanta, New York City and Washington D.C. If student readers are interested, the authors will also offer homework tutoring via Skype.
Chapters cover everything from the electoral process to economics to holy wars, but the chapter on American dynasties never fails to amaze Nouraee.
"We think of ourselves as a meritocracy, but we really have been dominated by a small group of families over time. It is kind of amazing how much they have in common. We have a knack for propelling the well connected relatives of powerful people into power," he said.
There has been a general decline in civic awareness among U.S. citizens, Nouraee said, along with apathy about global events. But Americapedia's chapter on "Diplo-Messy" suggests the party is just about over.
Though English remains the default international language, followed by French as "the language of diplomacy," the book says we may soon see Chinese slipping into second place.
Au revoir, France. Ni hao, zhong guo.
Event Preview -- Book discussion with Andisheh Nouraee
"Americapedia: Taking the Dumb out of Freedom," (Walker & Company, $17)
4 p.m. Saturday. Free.
Eddie's Attic, 515-B N. McDonough Street, Decatur.
404-377-4976.www.eddiesattic.com
