Understanding California Government and Politics (book)

Infobox Book
name = Understanding California Government and Politics
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Book cover
author = Leo Ryan, editor
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
subject = American history,
California politics
genre = non-fiction
publisher = Fearon Publishers, Palo Alto, California, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 66-19105.
release_date = 1966
english_release_date =
media_type = Hardcover
pages = 152
isbn =
preceded_by =
followed_by = USA/From Where We Stand

"USA/From Where We Stand: Readings in Contemporary American Problems" is a non-fiction book published by Fearon Publishers in 1966.

The book was written by then-Assemblyman for California's 27th District, Leo J. Ryan.cite news
last = Simon
first = Mark
coauthors =
title = A Trip Into The Heart Of Darkness: Always larger than life, Leo Ryan courted danger.
work = San Francisco Chronicle
pages = A17
language = English
publisher =
date = December 10, 1998
url =
accessdate = ] Ryan later went on to become a United States Representative from California's 11th congressional district.cite web
last = United States Congress
first =
authorlink = Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
coauthors =
title = RYAN, Leo Joseph, (1925 - 1978)
work =
publisher = United States Congress
date =
url = http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=R000558
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-01-24 ] Ryan was assassinated by members of Peoples Temple in Guyana. He was the first and only Congressman to die in the line of duty, and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1983. [cite press release
title = Statement on Signing the Bill Authorizing a Congressional Gold Medal Honoring the Late Representative Leo J. Ryan
publisher = President Ronald Reagan
date = November 18, 1983
url = http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=40789
accessdate = 2007-01-24 ] [cite news
last = Trescott
first = Jacqueline
coauthors =
title = Leo Ryan honored. (with Medal of Honor)
work = The Washington Post
pages = v107 pC4 col 5 (10 col in)
language = English
publisher =
date = November 30, 1984
url =
accessdate = ] [cite news
last = Staff
first =
coauthors =
title = Reagan to give medal for slain congressman. (Leo J. Ryan)
work = The New York Times
pages = pA25(L) col 2 (4 col in)
language = English
publisher =
date = November 27, 1984
url =
accessdate = ] [cite press release | title = Congressman Tom Lantos' Remarks on the 25th Anniversary of the Tragedy at Jonestown and the Death of Congressman Leo Ryan | publisher = Tom Lantos | date = 2003-11-17 | url = http://lantos.house.gov/HoR/CA12/Newsroom/Press+Releases/2003/11-17-03+Congressman+Tom+Lantos+Remarks+on+the+25th+Anniversary+of+the+Tragedy+at+Jonestown+and+the.htm | accessdate = 2006-09-08 ]

Premise

The book functions as a guide to California politics and government.cite book
last = Ryan
first = Leo J.
authorlink = Leo Ryan
coauthors =
title = Understanding California Government and Politics
publisher = Fearon Publishers
date = 1966
location = Palo Alto, California, United States
pages = 152 pgs
url =
doi =
id = ] Topics discussed include California elections, political parties, State Government including the executive, legislative and judiciary branches, local government, and finances. Information on California's legislative districts, and budget statistics are included in the appendix. Leo Ryan's introduction is a tribute to John F. Kennedy, the man who inspired Ryan to get into politics.

Ryan stated that the book's purpose was: "..to present our system of government in such a way that you will look upon it as an exciting, challenging, rewarding occupation, worthy of understanding and, perhaps, of your own ambition. Why? Because it is. It was all of that to John F. Kennedy."

References