📖 Overview
Rick Shenkman is an American historian, journalist and author known for his analysis of American political culture and voter behavior. He is the founder of George Washington University's History News Network, a website featuring articles by historians on current events.
Shenkman's most recognized works include "Political Animals: How Our Stone-Age Brain Gets in the Way of Smart Politics" (2016) and "Just How Stupid Are We? Facing the Truth About the American Voter" (2008). His books examine the psychological and evolutionary factors that influence political decision-making and voter comprehension.
Throughout his career, Shenkman has appeared as a political commentator on numerous television networks including CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. He holds a Harvard degree in American History and has taught at several universities including George Mason University.
His writings frequently explore themes of political misconceptions, historical myths, and the gap between voter knowledge and effective democratic participation. Shenkman's work combines insights from psychology, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology to explain modern political behavior.
👀 Reviews
Readers value Shenkman's clear explanations of complex political psychology and voter behavior. Many describe his writing style as accessible and engaging, particularly in "Political Animals" where he connects evolutionary psychology to modern politics.
What readers liked:
- Research-backed arguments with relevant examples
- Balance of academic insight and readable prose
- Integration of multiple disciplines (psychology, politics, history)
What readers disliked:
- Some find his tone condescending toward voters
- Critics note potential liberal bias in analysis
- Several readers wanted more solutions rather than just problem identification
Ratings across platforms:
- "Political Animals" - 3.9/5 on Goodreads (200+ ratings), 4.2/5 on Amazon (50+ reviews)
- "Just How Stupid Are We?" - 3.7/5 on Goodreads (500+ ratings), 4.1/5 on Amazon (100+ reviews)
One reader noted: "Makes you think differently about why people vote the way they do." Another criticized: "Presents valid problems but offers little in terms of fixes."
📚 Books by Rick Shenkman
Just How Stupid Are We?: Facing the Truth About the American Voter (2008)
Examines data about American voters' knowledge of politics and government, analyzing why many citizens lack basic civic information and how this affects democracy.
Political Animals: How Our Stone-Age Brain Gets in the Way of Smart Politics (2016) Explores how evolutionary psychology and human instincts influence modern political behavior and decision-making.
Legends, Lies & Cherished Myths of American History (1988) Investigates and corrects common misconceptions about significant events and figures in American history.
Presidential Ambition: How the Presidents Gained Power, Kept Power and Got Things Done (1999) Analyzes how various U.S. presidents have wielded executive power and achieved their political objectives throughout American history.
One-Night Stands with American History: Odd, Amusing, and Little-Known Incidents (2003) Presents lesser-known episodes and facts from American history that illuminate different aspects of the nation's past.
Political Animals: How Our Stone-Age Brain Gets in the Way of Smart Politics (2016) Explores how evolutionary psychology and human instincts influence modern political behavior and decision-making.
Legends, Lies & Cherished Myths of American History (1988) Investigates and corrects common misconceptions about significant events and figures in American history.
Presidential Ambition: How the Presidents Gained Power, Kept Power and Got Things Done (1999) Analyzes how various U.S. presidents have wielded executive power and achieved their political objectives throughout American history.
One-Night Stands with American History: Odd, Amusing, and Little-Known Incidents (2003) Presents lesser-known episodes and facts from American history that illuminate different aspects of the nation's past.
👥 Similar authors
Drew Westen analyzes how emotions and psychology shape political decisions, similar to Shenkman's approach. His book "The Political Brain" examines why voters often make choices based on feelings rather than facts.
Jonathan Haidt explores the moral foundations and psychological roots of political beliefs through scientific research. His work in "The Righteous Mind" investigates why people form different political ideologies and how intuition drives political reasoning.
George Lakoff studies how framing and cognitive science relate to political thought and voter behavior. His research on metaphor and political messaging in works like "Don't Think of an Elephant" connects to Shenkman's interest in voter psychology.
Michael Shermer writes about the psychology of belief and why people accept false ideas in politics and other domains. His work on skepticism and critical thinking aligns with Shenkman's analysis of political misconceptions and voter knowledge.
Bryan Caplan examines voter irrationality and systematic biases in democratic systems through an economic lens. His book "The Myth of the Rational Voter" analyzes why voters maintain incorrect beliefs about politics and economics.
Jonathan Haidt explores the moral foundations and psychological roots of political beliefs through scientific research. His work in "The Righteous Mind" investigates why people form different political ideologies and how intuition drives political reasoning.
George Lakoff studies how framing and cognitive science relate to political thought and voter behavior. His research on metaphor and political messaging in works like "Don't Think of an Elephant" connects to Shenkman's interest in voter psychology.
Michael Shermer writes about the psychology of belief and why people accept false ideas in politics and other domains. His work on skepticism and critical thinking aligns with Shenkman's analysis of political misconceptions and voter knowledge.
Bryan Caplan examines voter irrationality and systematic biases in democratic systems through an economic lens. His book "The Myth of the Rational Voter" analyzes why voters maintain incorrect beliefs about politics and economics.