Rating: 
Summary: Game, Set, Match!
Review: I got Al's book as a birthday gift, and I'm glad that I did, since I probably would not have gotten it for myself. I figured that as a staunch liberal I wouldn't learn anything, and that so much of the book would be just a bunch of personal attacks that it would be off-putting. While there are a lot of personal attacks (about lies more than splotchy faces, but there are both sorts) the general subject of the book is the ways in which the right-wing has "spun" (read "lied") about everything from G.W.'s past to the cover-up of the real facts behind Sept. 11th and the administrations failure to react to the information they had. There are lots of lies pointed out, but there are also lots of facts that counter those lies. There are plenty of crude jokes too, which is perhaps Franken's weakest point -- his strength is now political writing and not comedy. But overall Franken succeeds in countering some of the lies of the right. Not only will free-thinkers find it entertaining and enlightening, but for many who wouldn't ever pick up anything written by Anne Coulter or listen to Rush Limbaugh, the book provides a record of what's being said about liberals and counter-arguments to them. It's a must-read for everyone with a sense that something is going wrong, but who isn't sure exactly what, who, and why.
Rating: 
Summary: I love it so far!
Review: I got home about an hour ago and sitting on the front porch was my copy of Al Franken's book. I am only 20 pages into it so far, but I must say right off the bat that Al does even a better job here than he did in his 1996 opus Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot, which I happen to think is one of the funniest and most insightful books I have ever read. Here's what has happened in the book so far: A forward about what got him to write this book, some pages about writing the book, a few more pages thanking his researchers - it is actually funny stuff! Then comes the first of his targets: Ann Coulter. It takes him all of 1/2 page to thoroughly destroy her and her "research". But he does not stop at that. He goes on for at least (I am only 20 pages into the book for cryin' out loud!) 15 more pages and 3 chapters describing what a sad little woman this Coulter character and her pathetic research is. Would I buy this book again? Well, I loved RLIABFI, so YES! I would buy it again! As a matter of fact I will probably do that a few times this year to hand out as gifts. I plan on making a lot of Republicans really happy this holiday season.
Rating:
Summary: We thinkers are not alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I got it!! Do you ever wonder why anything the conservatives don't like they either try to SHUT UP or simply label it LIBERAL? Conservatives believe that if you aren't toeing the party line you're a LIBERAL who should SHUT UP. Well, there are a lot of people who I'm sure would agree with me that if it weren't for "liberal-minded" people who decided to SPEAK UP as opposed to SHUT UP we would still think the earth was flat, not to mention the center of the universe. Galileo would be considered a liberal, not because he was right or wrong but because he wasn't toeing the status quo set forth by the conservatives of the time (i.e., the papacy). So it is plain to me that all throughout history there have been both people speaking out with facts like Al Franken and those barking and biting, not because the facts are wrong, simply because they are too ignorant to respond to a intellectual challenge. This book was very informative as well as entertaining. Franken is extremely gifted at conveying his points with subtle to not so subtle humor and solid facts. If I had to use a mathematical metaphor to explain this book it would be: 2+2=4. What the conservatives would like us to buy is that X+Y=4, with Y fixed at 2 and X can be any number that serves there purpose except 2. This of course would render a unbalanced equation so perhaps, in reference to that limp lawsuit FOX attempted on "Fair and Balanced", FOX's new slogan should be "Unfair and Unbalanced - Views of what the heck is going on in the country". If they use this, should I sue them?
Rating:
Summary: A pine tree air freshener for use in stuffy right wing cars
Review: I got the book yesterday from Amazon - fantastic service - and I'm already on page 107. It is just great - I recently saw the incident described in Ch 13 - on one of the cable channels - the BookExpo America speech by Franken - where Bill O'Reilly sat fuming while Al speaks. O'Reilly seems to be pathologically unable to admit a mistake/lie. It is so refreshing to get the "rest of the story" on so many "facts" that have been trumpeted by the "right". It was absolutely wonderful of the Fox News network to take the effort to make this book a best seller - you can't buy that kind of publicity as they say. I must admit, that I tend to avoid listening to many of the liars described in the book - I guess I am a weak person and don't have the ability to sit quietly and not manifest my awareness that "taffy is being distributed" - to quote Mark Twain. I have looked ahead at some of the chapters - the titles are so enticing - loved Ch 32 "Thank God for Jerry Falwell". This book is going to get passed around - I know that hurts sales but its going to happen. Enjoy
Rating: 
Summary: Big Disappointment
Review: I got this book as a gift from a client who thought I would like it based on my proclivity for satire. I am glad that I did not buy it. I am sorry that my client wasted her money.
Rating:
Summary: If you think you knew when Bush was lying to you--wrong!
Review: I got this book at 2PM in the afternoon and finished it at 9AM the next morning, today. To my dismay I learned I had been taken in by this administration--although I consider myself to be discerning and very skeptical regarding any words coming from the administration. Will we see lawsuits from the liars, I bet not. I bet we get a lot of non-denial denials as with Watergate. Franken shows exactly how the Bushies use statistics to tell lies. He shows how "research" skewed comparing apples to oranges produce the "fruits" of this administration. No lie is too big to air for days and days on the top news channels--which brainwash the busy public into believing the lies, by sheer repetition. And he gets O'Reilly!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Funny, Sarcastic, Well-Researched
Review: I got this book mainly based on recommendations, i found it funny to the point where i would laugh out loud in instances of Franken's sacrastic humour. I also found the research and analysis of the various topics of discussion interesting, although biased, but thats ok because this book is supposed to be biased against the right. I definetely recommend this book to all who are suspicious of what is going on in our country and are looking for a good humouristic perspective on the subjects. Franken delivers a clever and entertaining work along with unbelievable revelations in the workings of the right wing system.
Rating:
Summary: A book that actually backs-up its allegations - REMARKABLE
Review: I guess you could call me a political junkie - as such, I read all the crap in this vein - Coulter, Horowitz, O'Rourke, Franken, Goldberg, etc., etc. Most of these books have two things in common: 1) They conveniently ignore facts that do not support the result they are trying to obtain; and 2) They overstate facts that DO support the result they are trying to obtain. The best example of this in the past few years has got to be Ann Coulter who, whether in her books or in her TV appearances, seems physiologically incapable of telling the truth. For Ann, the appropriateness of what she says or writes is determined not by the accuracy of the statement but by it's value in supporting her premise. But make no mistake: While Coulter is the worst offender, these characteristics are present in most or all books of this type, on the left as well as on the right.
Imagine my surprise, then, when I read Franken's new book - It's actually ACCURATE, and properly documented. I nearly dropped off my chair with surprise! As you might expect, he pulls no punches; and the smugness with which he insults his political adversaries is less than amusing (he calls it sarcasm - I call it boorishness). This criticism aside, however, I must point out that the FACTS he presents are accurate and insightful. His footnotes and endnotes provide a clear picture of the context of his accusations. All in all, this is a superb work which people from all sides of the political spectrum - those, at least, who love the truth - will find valuable. My highest recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: A refreshing and TRUTHFUL book of Political Satire
Review: I had a few minutes to kill at the Waldenbooks in the neighborhood mall while my wife was doing her hair next door. I picked up "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right" off the discount shelf and started reading. I could not put it down. I ended up having to buy it, so I could continue to read it home. I am of a liberal thought, so I was, I suppose, already agreeing with most of what Al had to say in the book. However, the book does provide a breath of fresh air. Unlike the tons of literature written by the right-wing talking heads, this book is using factual and well documented material. Franken holds no holes barred. He sticks it to the right wing, yet, he can back up his satire with hard proof. Not only is his book a collection of exposed right-wing lies, it is unbelievably funny and easy to read. His satire is powerful, yet there is some feel of Saturday Night Life on it. Franken is definitely not an angel. He is combative, as he himself admits, and he is not against playing pranks on his favorite right-wing targets. These targets respond with more lies and the reader gets to laugh more. The book definitely works for me.
Rating:
Summary: Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced
Review: I had difficulty reading this book- people kept noticing I was laughing out loud, and wanted to know why. As a former infantryman the chapter on "chickenhawks" just killed me. I often read several books simultaneously, but blew through this one in a day, despite work, school, and kids. Al often offers his opinion, which I enjoy a lot, but the main thing is he backs it up with actual FACTS. He knows what "information" is as opposed to "disinformation", and I think he made a pretty clear distinction between the two. Kudos, Al.
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