The Essentials edition of the number one book in American government continues to provide the most current and engaging introduction available for the course and contains an entire unit devoted to Texas government and politics. Like the comprehensive edition, this nuts-and-bolts version was written with the belief that knowledge of the development of American government is integral to fully understand our current political system. Essentials of American Government: Continuity and Change is a student-friendly text offering a strong historical perspective that highlights the evolution of government and engages students with examples relevant to their lives.