The book is divided into three parts. Part I is entitled “The Essential Principles of American Government. The Spirit.” In a way that is at once thorough, vital, and practical, the author explains the origin and _raison d’être_ of democracy, representation, separation and balance of powers, federalism, local self-government, political parties; viewed in the light of American conditions. The treatment is clear, and abounds in allusions that an alert teacher can apply to present circumstances, developing interest and stimulating thought. This portion of the book affords a good introduction to the study of government for classes that can devote an entire year to the subject. It is especially useful where pupils have missed previous training in English history and government. Used in connection with American history, it furnishes a helpful interpretation of the political institutions whose development the pupil is studying. Part II is headed, “The Organization of the American Government. The Form”; and gives what is usually found in manuals of civil government. This is compressed into one hundred and twenty pages, and while non-essentials are excluded, it does not appear that any important topic is neglected. Four chapters are devoted to local government, and one chapter to party organization. Some of the topics discussed are: “The President as a Political Personality,” “The Supreme Court and the People,” “The Citizen and His Country,” “The Sphere of Municipal Activity.” The third part deals with “The Functions of the American Government. Its Services.” Here the author describes the government, national, State and local, in action. Included here are such topics as “Laws,” “Taxation,” “Money,” “Commerce,” “Elections,” “Corporations,” “Labor,” “Crime,” “Charity.” The treatment of controverted problems is dispassionate and conservative, and free from dogmatism. The method is to state the origin of the problem, indicate suggested solutions, and lead the pupil to reach his own conclusion in the light of the facts. At the end of every chapter is a list of “suggestive questions.” Unlike the pedagogical apparatus found in many text-books, these questions are really useful. They are well calculated to lead the student to pursue the subject farther, by research and by independent thought. Many of them involve the application of principles to concrete instances, and are useful to train the judgment. Properly handled, they will enable the student to experience the pleasure of independent discovery, and thus serve one of the main purposes of all education.