Rating: 
Summary: It'sabout the facts
Review: After reading initial reviews, it appears that the assessments are colored more by reacting to the interpretatins of the facts presented then the facts themselves - and that is really the point of this book. You don't have to disagree with someone to realize that they are presenting material as 'facts' that are simply not true. I encourage everyone to read this book - get it from a library if you do not want to support Al Franken financially. Look at the facts that he presents that suggests that certain Republican spokepeople routinely present false information and then do the research yourself. If you can prove Al wrong - terrific, let him know. He would probably appreciate it. If, however, you find his research thorough and on target, then stop and think why lying is becoming normal and acceptable? Why are you "leftist" and "unpatriotic" merely by pointing out inaccuracies? It is time to put conversation back into democracy before we give up the freedoms we suggest that we are willing to fight and have American's die for. This book is a way to start those discussions.
Rating: 
Summary: A bipartisan opinion
Review: After reading some of the other reviews, it seems apparent that some are reviewing along party lines. I consider myself in the middle and in my opinion, the book hits on a great many truths. On occassion Franken does seem to be on the defensive regarding Democrats and Clinton, as you might expect him to. Nonetheless, that does not in anyway overshadow the points he makes regarding the conservative, rather than liberal, influence in the media today. Franken's serious points are backed by references and when he's joking, he makes it clear that he is. If you watch Fox News Channel for a day, you'll see that Franken is not making this stuff up. I do recommend this book to those on both sides. It is definitely interesting reading and Franken's wit is not over-the-top. The book will obviously leave a bad taste in the mouths of conservatives but the information about their representatives (both in Washington and in the media) is information that they should be aware of. Liberals will be able to use this as ammunition for political discussions for at least a year, maybe two.
Rating:
Summary: I Changed My Mind - Very Funny
Review: After reading the book twice I changed my review from negative to positive. Franken is a bit near the edge, probably wrote his SNL jokes under the influence, and is known to "lose it" from time to time. But the book is mainly right on the target. Perhaps as they say the difference is small bewteen genius and crazy. The book is an accurate satire of the current political situation, albeit not perfect in every way. Jack in Toronto
Rating:
Summary: excellent read
Review: After reading this book and the review of microsoft is a monop I have concluded: 1. he/she is a lame brained moron and
2. this is a book well worth reading
Rating: 
Summary: A Fair and Balanced Look???
Review: After reading this book, I came away thinking of Mr. Franken as the left's answer to Rush Limbaugh - - both expressing many accurate opinions sprinkled among half-truths, distortions, reliance on questionable sources, etc. One major difference I noted between the two was Mr. Franken's use (overuse?) of vulgar and tasteless language. In my opinion, this application of "colorful" language distracts from his message and casts suspicion on his continuing claim of adhering to the moral high ground. As to Mr. Franken's intimation that 9/11 could most likely have been avoided if only President Bush had not spent so much time away from the office and implemented the anti terrorism plans developed under former President Clinton, I say rubbish. I believe that thought is completely without merit, one of those after-the-fact assessments that can never be proved - - one way or the other. According to the book, Mr. Franken and his investigative team employed rigorous research in attacking the comments of their targets, an admirable tactic. I have to wonder, though, if TeamFranken, consisting entirely of 14 Harvard students, might have had some built in biases. As Mr. Franken writes, "you can rest assured that almost every fact in this book is correct." Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right is an entertaining book. It points out several erroneous comments and misstatements, as well as questionable data, from many conservative spokesmen and politicians. Regrettably, much of the language in the book seems to be aimed at those who find the frequent use of profanity to be an acceptable form of communication.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent destruction of right-wing lies
Review: After reading this book, nobody will ever be able to take Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannitty, Ann Coulter or the whole Fox "News" apparatus seriously ever again. The book's strength lies not just in Franken's razor-sharp wit, but also in the sheer thoroughness of his research, employing a team of 14 Harvard students to rigorously check his facts, and repeatedly expose the right-wing media for the liars they are. If the book has a fault, it's that Franken sometimes wears his partisanship a bit too much on his sleeve. As a card-carrying Democrat, Franken tends to be a tad sycophantic towards Clinton and Gore, and at times he appears to regard the entire Democratic Party as a canon of living saints. I'm sure the Democrats have told the occasional whopper in their time. However, when it comes to exposing right-wing distortion and hypocrisy, Franken is second to none. Essential reading for anyone interested in the abuse of power under the Bush administration.
Rating: 
Summary: The Wimpy Wimps
Review: After reading this book, we can take Democrats even less seriously. Kinda like when you hear liberals say they "support the troops" - talk about lying liars (you know they secretly don't support the troops purely for political reasons). But that's the essence of this book. Democrats are compelled to say things they don't really believe, or in most cases just make it up, as in Franken's analysis of the Wellstone memorial. You'll never hear Republicans say they "support the troops" because you KNOW they do. Al Franken and friends are the whiners in the peanut gallery, petty armchair quarterbacks who have nothing constructive to say. But they would just rather "do something" (whatever that means), i.e., spend their time wallowing in their hatred of Bush.
Rating:
Summary: Required reading for every American
Review: After reading this book, you'll never vote republican again (if you ever did in the first place!). This book is great! Franken consistently exposes the right-wing for what they really are: a bunch of hypocritical liars. I especially like the analysis of Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter and Bill O'Reilly. These 3 continually lie to the American people. READ THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: Al Franken is Just a Lying Jerk
Review: After reading this garbage, all I can say is: 1) Al Franken is a complete jerk who's sense of humor, and I use that term loosely, is limited to borderline sociopathic personal attacks; and
2) where do I go to get my money back?
Rating:
Summary: Must read, then vote in 2004.
Review: After receiving my copy yesterday I couldn't put Franken's brilliant new fair and balanced book down. Oh if only the Democrats in Congress had the guts to call the right on their deceits. Franken cuts straight to the heart of the problem using facts that ought to make us all afraid...very afraid, particularly the exerpts from O'Reilly's novel. Living through years of endless vituprative attacks on the left from Limbaugh to O'Reilly and Coulter, it's clear that the hard right are a humorless lot when the jokes on them. Sadly enough, this book is not so funny as it is scary.
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