About Tom McHale
Tom McHale writes the Practical Guides: fun, story-driven books about the Constitution, American history, and free speech.
What Readers Are Saying
"I find your books easy to read and informative. I love spending time with you. Your writing tone reminds me of Bill Bryson."
"When I began to read I had an immediate thought of regret, that this was another slanted vision of history. I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG. The book is educational, witty, funny and very much worth the purchase. Wish there were actual teachers out there with this approach."
"I've taught US History and American Government for 25 years to high school homeschoolers and I love these books."
"This book is so informative and fun to read. You've proven to me 'you can teach an old dog new tricks.' I'm 95."
"I read this in advance of giving it to my teen grandchildren. It is an easy read, but not simplistic. Funny and engaging. I am 70 years old and I learned some new information."
"High school civics or history would've been a lot more fun. I love the analogies that are offered to current situations. I couldn't stop laughing at comparing the Declaration of Independence to complaining about your cable bill!"
Meet Tom
I've spent the past decade writing books and a couple thousand articles because I believe learning shouldn't feel like punishment. My Practical Guides take subjects that sound intimidating, like the Constitution, American history, and free speech, and make them fun, clear, and impossible to put down. I write like I talk: conversational, occasionally funny, and always with a point.
Before jumping into writing full-time, I earned an MBA, spent 11 years at Microsoft and another decade in high-tech marketing, and opened a restaurant (don't recommend it). I'm a voracious reader who alternates between history, humor, and well-written crime novels. I've melted three Kindles so far.
The Books
The Practical Guide to the United States Constitution
Your national owner's manual, minus the legalese. Understand how the Constitution actually works, why it matters, and what all those amendments really mean.
The Practical Guide to America
The greatest hits of American history, from rebellious colonists to moon landings, told with the side stories your textbook left out.
The Practical Guide to Free Speech
What the First Amendment actually protects, who fought for it, and why it matters more now than ever. Court cases, muckrakers, and meme-makers included.
The Practical Guide to Becoming the Least Boring Person in the Room
80+ short chapters of surprising stories about science, history, food, sports, and the wonderfully weird world we live in. Perfect for the perpetually curious.
I've also written a Practical Guide series about guns and shooting, including the new Practical Guide to Concealed Carry. You can find them on Amazon or order them directly from me.