Rating: 
Summary: some valid points but missed the mark with bad humor
Review: I am a right-wing conservative Republican young adult, but thought I would give Franken's book a read in an attempt to be fair and balanced..Franken does make some valid points especially with regards to Ann Coulter & Sean Hannity. However, several problems with this book prevent it from being considered a serious piece of quality work. 1) Frankens injected humor: i.e. O'reilly's next book "How to Deal with Syphillis" (i can't remember if this "joke" is actually in the book, but he did use it on The View in November).....there are tons of references like these that just aren't funny and cause me to view the book as worse than it probably is 2) Franken goes on about Coulter and how she refers to her "endnotes" as "footnotes". Well you know what Al, her "footnotes" are a lot easier to ride and find sources than yours. Franken has occasional footnotes but the majority of his endnotes are not cited (whereas Coulters are). This really lays at the credibility of the book (at least to me) because when you are writing a book trying to prove something someone said is false or not correct you need specific examples, evidence or statistics and you need to cite them. When he says "O'reilly said 57% of black mothers are unwed...But he's wrong, its really only 14%" without any mention to any study, newspaper article or anything. Maybe this slows the book down, but if you're to believe his claim then you need some kind of truthful evidence. This is really what causes me to view the book at 2 stars instead of 3 or 4. 3) I don't know why Franken puts O'reilly on the cover because of the 3 or 4 "lies" he claims to have on O'reilly only 1 of them holds any water. The whole Levittown meager beginnings thing...O'reily says he grew up in the Westbury section of Levittown. Westbury was the town and Levittown the area (such as I might say that I am from Philadelphia even though I live in Manayunk, Villanova, Haverford, or Merion. The whole Polk/Peabody thing: I don't think there has ever been a point where O'reilly said "I won a Peabody award" , He has said Inside Edition won peabody awards or "We won peabody awards (which is technically inaccurate because he was not on the show when it won the award) but this "lie" that Franken claims just doesn't hold up, especially since O'reilly twice corrected his earlier "wrong" statement. The only claim that Franken makes which is a substantial one is the Republican voter registration card. Overall, if Franken (to borrow an O'reilly word), cut out the pith sprinkled it with occasional light humor, got rid of all the swears and cited all of his statistics or articles with footnotes or endnotes (which ever he prefers since he seems to want to be completely clear on them), he would have a pretty good book.
Rating: 
Summary: my brain hurts
Review: I am a right-wing,fundamentalist Christian conservative and this book makes me mad!How can publishers release books by such mean, mean men ? How can he be so mean to Bill O'Reilly ? O'Reilly is so smart (and handsome)and thanks to him,I don't need to watch the news.Bill can tell me exactly what to think.And how can he say such bad things about Ann Coulter.She is so bright and pretty! She made me realize that women should NOT be aloud to vote.It just cuts into the time they have fof important activities like baking cookies and washing dishes & laundry.They just need to find them some husbands to vote for them. George W. Bush is the smartest most well informed president America has ever had and, I'm glad he's in office because he would never lie to us about silly issues like why we are at war in Iraq.He only wants them to have things like democratically elected leaders (just like here in America).He also wants to make sure that women no longer have to make difficult decisions about things like their own reproductive rights and such.I sleep better at night knowing that such honest , fair people are in charge and that some day Jesus will strike down Al Franken for writing such mean things about the people who know what is best for America and the rest of the world.I have to go now to check my mailbox and see if my painkillers have arrived yet.
Rating: 
Summary: So much spittle, so little time
Review: I am amused by how conservatives are squawking over Al Franken's book. I can just picture them at their computers, ranting and leaving spittle on the floor as they yell.
Rating:
Summary: Franken makes great points but spreads himself thin
Review: I am an independent who appreciates the refreshing wit and humor that Franken uses to make his points. For any conservatives reading the book, it will be difficult to stomach the fact that it is easier for a comedian to pick apart the Ann Coulters on the right than it is for a Fox News anchor to say "Fair and Balanced". Overall a great book to read for anyone who has ever seen/read Coulter, O'Reilly, Hannity, etc. Franken spreads himself way to thin in this wide-ranging book, which may lead some to dismiss it.
The reason why I have respect for Franken is that he is willing to come out and say "I am a liberal", while those he criticizes pretend to be independent. But it does not matter if you are a liberal or conservative, a blatant lie is a blatant lie, and Franken points out that many of these conservatives are getting away with slander, and that sometimes their lies are then repeated in the more mainstream media. Yes, Franken does have an unfair advantage over those he writes of because instead of being vicious, he uses wit to make them seem foolish. But Franken is at his best when he dispenses with the humor and sarcasm to discuss the deeply personal subject of Paul Wellstone's funeral, and how many on the right shamelessly used a senator's death to attack the democratic party.
Rating: 
Summary: Liberal Vomit
Review: I am appaled that this is the first book that comes up for me as recommended from Amazon along with you other Republican hater titles. Grow up and become a true American.
Rating:
Summary: refreshing and entertaining
Review: I am eager for my friends to also read this book so I can talk to them about it. As it is I'm talking to them about it anyway and it's driving them nuts. Supply-side Jesus, Coulter's endnotes, the Wellstone chapter - all of it and I mean all of it is excellent reading. Thank you Al, we needed this.
Rating:
Summary: Great Stuff!
Review: I am fast becoming a fan of Al Franken's. His wit on SNL was not quite me, but as a political satirist, he is in the genius category - in my humble opinion. After recent events in the 2004 political campaign, I have started re-reading this book. It was thought provoking, entertaining, funny, sometimes infuriating the first time I read it. Infuriating not at the author, but at those "Lying Liars". Reading it the second time, within the context of this presidential campaign, it is most revealing. I find myself referring to this book as a literal reference source for discussions with people, contacting politicians, writing letters to the editor, and finding facts or clarity about facts that are brought up in the news.
I was puzzled with the "outrage" by the Bush group at recent comments by Kerry "the biggest bunch of crooks and liars", etc. Then, I remembered something in the book, and voila, there it was:(pg 352) Franken writes, "Yes. Lying is a serious matter. And calling the President of the United States a liar is not something I say with any relish or self-satisfaction" -- Ah, Hah, the "L" word. I don't remember any calls for Franken to apologize, maybe there were? He continues, "Bush lies about important things. Like the economy, his tax cuts, education, our reasons for going to war... But I think he lies only when he feels he has to." The truth hurts, as they say.
I HIGHLY recommend this book to those who have an open mind and a desire for the truth. The fact that it is presented with humor is a great bonus!
Rating:
Summary: VINDICATION OF THE HIGHEST ORDER & OTHER FRESH AIR
Review: I am genuinely thankful for this audiobook, and all
the heart that went into it. Each year I pick one
movie or book that I recommend to everyone. This years
choice, hands down, is "Lies". I have given over a dozen
copies of this audiobook as holiday gifts. Expose books
are a dime per ten dozen, but this one is different.
Each item of information is fully substantiated, yet
still manages to be concise, and quite funny. Whats more,
"Lies" is very broad in scope. Most every nagging right
wing issue and personality from the last few years is
addressed with unfailing poignancy. Al takes em all on,
and nails them dead to rights. Again, with effective
warmth and humor, rather than dry or otherwise tedious
rantings. Most importantly, I found "Lies" to be critically
important in its affirmations to disenfranchised folks who
feel they've been arrogantly steamrolled over by one of the
darkest administrations ever. The Bush Administration is the
worst in my lifetime, and yet, they stupefyingly maintain
support. Largely, by co-opting our honest feelings with fear
tactics, and lies. The fear, hate, and arrogance fostered by
this administration is intense and evil enough, but when
conservative shills like Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, Goldberg
& O'Reilly join the fray with their lies, the prevailing media
air gets quite claustrophobic. Al takes them all apart, all the
lies and unethical behavior, saying all the things you've
muttered to yourself while listening to the news on your way
to work. His facts are irreproachable. This audiobook will make
your day seem brighter, and the air seem fresher. To top it off,
this audiobook is unabridged, and read by Al himself. So you
truly get what he intends to say, with a good comedic delivery.
Yea team! Something good for a change. I wish I had Al Franken's
phone number or address, just so I could thank him personally. Enjoy !
All Good Things,
Greg
Rating:
Summary: Meticulously Researched
Review: I am halfway through this book, and I am amazed. I want to thank Franken for writing such an accessible and cathartic book.
Rating:
Summary: In a class by itself
Review: I am in awe of Mr. Franken's precision and perception, and also of his bravery. Too many of us stand by and let those zany folks on the right lie, lie, and lie again. Mr. Franken has put himself on the line and on the record with a book that is murderously funny and right on the mark. He has my thanks and gratitude. If you think this book isn't telling the truth, then tell me: why isn't Al Franken being sued right and left over it? Think about it.
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