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Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right

Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right

List Price: $34.95
Your Price: $23.07
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Lots of fun
Review: The book is an attempt to expose the deceptive rhetoric of the conservatives (mostly of Coulter, O'Reilly, Limbaugh, Hannity; less of Bush, Chenny, Gingrich, Wolfowitz). Liberals nowadays are in much need of a popular commentator 1) to defend against the plethora of conservative criticism towards the left, 2) because not responding to the false accusations amounts to admittance. Franken carries out this role successfully with humor and rigor (he hired a team to verify sources of claims present in this book). I enjoyed the book, and even learned a point -- that one has to verify validity of each sentence *independently* so as to guard oneself from falling prey to sleight-of-hand tricks, which Franken asserts prevalent in recent political commentaries (again especially in Coulter's, O'Reilly's, Limbaugh's, and Hannity's arguments). However the book lacks a constructive view. It criticizes the right, but stops short from providing alternatives. For instance in my opinion the book would have been better if a comparison to the Democratic Party's monetary policies was included in addition to his criticism against Bush's tax cut proposal (even if the proposal didn't make any sense to begin with). The best part of the book to me was anecdotes of Franken confronting proponents of conservative propaganda. Those were hilarious in a profane way.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Hysterical, factual and intelligent... antagonistic
Review: The book is brilliant. It is well written, logicial and filled w/ interesting facts. Al is hysterical. My only complaint is perhaps if the tone of the book were a little less combative, it might draw a broader audience of readership.

Besides viciously attacking the credibility of his targets, he offers insightful counter viewpoints to his rightwinged nemeses.

I thought the Wellstone chapter was too long. I suspect Al's personal feelings got in the way of editorial judgement there. I think that chapter weakens the book, but overall excellent satire and wit.

The audio version is read by Al and also good.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Very Good...but not fair and balanced
Review: The book is fun. Franken is witty and intelligent, but he distorts the truth as much as Ann Coulter or Bill O'Reilly. For example, he goes on about "lies" by Coulter, and makes a point about Evan Thomas not being--as Coulter claims--the son of Socialist Norman Thomas. True enough, but Evan Thomas is the grandson of Norman. He apparently notes the distinction in the footnotes, but those of us listening to the audio book didn't get footnotes.

Second, Franken is especially venomous toward Christianity. His comments about wanting to be photographed on a cross at Bob Jones University were neither funny nor tasteful.

Those comments aside, this is a very interesting and-for the most part-funny book. The section about the pig geyser is not to be missed. "Fair and balanced" it isn't, but entertaining it certainly is.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Finally! Truth for Americans!
Review: The book is intelligent and based in fact. I love how Mr. Franken cites everything so there's little room for debate. There are a few quotes that may be taken out of context, but the great thing about this book is that he actually teaches how it easy it is to check our information. Hopefully we will not be accepting the slander as easily and hopefully those people named in the book will be more accountable from here on out.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Check the used book market
Review: The book is only a few weeks old and is selling for $3 used. That tells you what you need to know about the content. This book will thrill the lemmings who just want to read the rants but offers no intellectual challenges for those who have any critical reasoning faculties.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Talk about missing the point
Review: The book is so funny that my side hurt for several days after reading it. I note that one reviewer pointed out the otherwise trivial details of how Ol Wild Bill O'Reilly was painted a liar. I have to agree that the fact Wild Bill lied about where he was reared, lied about being a Republican, lied about winning a Peabody Award for Inside Edition(isn't that a hoot), and the other lies he told weren't exactly earth shattering in the grand scheme of things. However, that is the whole point. Franken is making the point that these right-wing idealogues engage in this very technique on a fairly routine basis. In other words, they take a rather small irrelevant assertion of fact and completely blow it our of proportion to its value and then exclaim that an individual is a liar. He gives some excellent examples of just how this technique was used extensively by right-wing idealogues when attacking Al Gore. I do note that when these same techniques are used against the very right-wing idealogues, i.e. Ol Wild Bill, that created the technique they become enraged. A perfect example of that is when Ol Wild Bill started screaming at Franken at a joint appearance in which Franken was promoting his book. So I would certainly recommend this book and would hope people could read it with a little more understanding of its basic premise than some of the reviewers.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: reviewing the reviews
Review: The book is wonderful, and what is even better is to read the angry responses by people who didn't even read the book. They simply hate everything that expresses a different opinion than the one that they have been programmed with, apparently. Oh, well. I'd rather laugh at the truth than become angry at opinions. You would think that this book is a threat by the fearful responses, but no. You can relax. The rich idiots will still control the country tomorrow and the day after. This book will not change the world, but it may help you laugh at what is killing it. bye.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Vote Republican, it's easier than thinking
Review: The book was a real hoot, and the thinkers of this nation have a template to work from. As a previous reviewer pointed out the right wing has been in power for only a short while and we are in a shambles: War, Deficit, Depression (?), hate mongering, spying on citizens, bill of right's torn to shred's, schools in the sewer, paranoia, and the list goes on. Ian Anderson said it so well in the 70's "If Jesus saves, well he'd beter save himself from the gory, glory seekers who use his name in death." Reading some of the negative reviews is entertaining in itself. The low tolerance level's and blind hatred just permeates. Good examples of the Republic party and it's short sighted thinkers. Well maybe not thinkers, I should say Knee-jerk reactors.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Franken fractures freaking frauds
Review: The book was hilarious. Political satirist Franken obliterates the liars he focuses on. It is like watching a skilled surgeon cutting out a malignant tumor. I particularly enjoyed his dismantling of Ann Coulter and her book, Slander, where she tells outright lies that the average knee jerk conservative would never think to question. Supply side Jesus has got to be my favorite part of the book.
My only criticism is that Franken does not offer as compelling an explanation of the purpose and intent behind the lying. If you want to go the next step and understand exactly WHY all these liars are selling their souls, read Francione's HOW TO SAVE AMERICA AND THE WORLD. Not quite as entertaining as Franken but it goes much deeper looking behind the lies to the reasons why. If you loved this book you'll love it even more.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Very mean-spirited book with little humor
Review: The book was not very entertaining and lacked the satirical aspect that I was expecting. It was filled with mean-spirited personal attacks against certain individuals with differing opinions than those of the author. Definitley not worth the money. If you must have it, wait until you can buy a used paperback.


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