In this book, George C. Edwards III dispels many popular misconceptions about American politics and public policy, challenging what many people hold to be self-evident. Edwards starts by outlining common, often prevailing understandings of crucial issues--such as who pays taxes, how much we spend on foreign aid, or how free speech actually is--then shows readers how these views are inaccurate and harmful. Appealing to the widespread fascination with debunking myths, this engaging book arms readers with important information on key issues in American political life that will last them a lifetime.

George C. Edwards III is University Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Jordan Chair in Presidential Studies Emeritus at Texas A&M University. He is also a Distinguished Fellow at the University of Oxford and has held appointments at Oxford, Sciences Po Paris, the US Military Academy, Peking University, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and the University of London. A leading scholar of the presidency, he has written or edited twenty-seven books on American politics. He was also the editor of Presidential Studies Quarterly for 24 years and general editor of the Oxford Handbook of American Politics series. Professor Edwards has served as president of the Presidency Research Section of the American Political Science Association, which has named its annual dissertation prize in his honor and awarded him its Career Service Award. A member of Phi Beta Kappa and a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, he has received the Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service from the US Army and the Pi Sigma Alpha Prize from the Southern Political Science Association. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Professor Edwards applies his scholarship to practical issues of governing, including advising other countries on their constitutions, presidencies, building democratic national party systems, elections, and democracy generally. He has also authored numerous studies for US presidential transitions.