Rating:  Summary: De-lie-tful exercise in humor! And that's the truth. Review: This is a brilliant, and brilliantly funny, book. (And it looks like a few other people have read it, too.) The truth is, Al Franken isn't lying when he accuses his considerably less than honest subjects of lying. He more than compellingly makes the case that, when faced with the choice between lying or not lying, the "lying liars" of the title will, almost inevitably, opt for the first choice ("lying"). Because he makes this case in a superbly witty fashion, the book is hilarious. But, because the truths (and lies) involved are depressing and grim, "Lying Liars" is also-and I do not lie--depressing and grim. Consequently, this title can make you laugh with anger and/or fume with amusement. Franken is a genius. The most amazing thing about the countless lies laid-out by Franken is their utter artlessness. One would think that a culture of fibs could survive (let alone thrive) only if the fibbers in question were cunning and crafty, but, for the most part, the truth-loose liberal-bashers in these pages lie first, and think never. Take Bill "O'Lie-lly," whose real life story (as opposed to the one he shares with his viewers) was uncovered by "TeamFranken" when someone on the team thought to consult with the Fox host's mother. Who could have anticipated such a bold and unprecedented journalistic maneuver? (Not the Fox star in question, apparently.) Similarly, certain members of TeamBush (the president and vice-president, for example) choose their fibs with no consideration given to consequences and every consideration given to self-service. Nothing, evidently, gets more in the way of a good and effective lie than forethought-or thought of any kind. And here's where the press doesn't come in. Franken shows us how, time and again, the "liberal" press gives a green light to right-lies in the interests of fairness--or, rather, an utterly skewered version of same in which the burden of proof is dumped on those who question lies, rather than those who callously concoct them. Most of all, Franken's intention is to give the lying portion of the right a taste of its own patent medicine. He bullies the bullies with a simple and effective comedic missile, one not to be found anywhere in the arsenals of his enemies. I refer, of course, to the truth.
Rating:  Summary: Franken Hits Them Where it Should Hurt Review: This is a deliciously funny, and factually documented, puncturing of all the big right wing gas bags who dominate cable TV and, unfortunately, our politics in these debased times. Sure, Al is often shrill and sometimes profane but he backs up his outraged views with facts unlike the bull spouted by Coulter, O'Reilly, Hannity and their ilk. And, he does it entertainingly, though I'm sure it will go over the heads of a lot of the wing nuts he's aiming at. A real eye-opener for those who don't know what the fuss is about, too. Highly recommended!
Rating:  Summary: I don't feel alone anymore Review: This is a fantastic book! His chapter on "Loving America the Al Franken Way" put to words how I have been feeing since September 11. I love America. But I don't believe that loving America means hating everyone who isn't "America", or who makes suggestions for improvement. I had a hard time putting the book down. I'm sending a copy to my sister in the Peace Corps, and a friend in Denver. Although, I might have done without the "Operation Chickhawk" chapter. (I think that's what it was called...) I look forward to his next book. I'm a new fan!
Rating:  Summary: I am a frankenphile! Review: This is a fresh, erudite look at the right wing media domination conspiracy. I find myself laughing out loud at times and, at others, cursing the media and the public for being so gullible and lazy. It is we who create the idiot, self-serving politicos who are ruining this country. I love my country, but fear my government. The experience of Al and his brother at Paul Wellstone's memorial was especially appreciated. Thank you Al Franken for making me a frankenphile!
Rating:  Summary: These reviews are getting a little ridiculous Review: This is a funny book that delivers on its promise of exposing lies from leading figures on the right. What amazes me is the anger this has caused. A previous reviewer wrote: "This book is garbage. Al is the biggest liar of them all. It was not a fair book, nor was it balanced. The scales were banging on the left side in a most uneven fashion. I found his diatribes to be far less funny than his Saturday Night live skits. It was a total waste of time and money. I'll never buy anything written by him in the future." Did this reviewer think we would sympathize at the waste of time and money that resulted when they didn't get a "fair and balanced" analysis of the right? How could anyone miss the subtitle's sarcasm? It's not like Al Franken has made a big secret of his political beliefs. If you hate his liberal view point so much, what are you doing buying his book in the first place? That's like buying Ann Coulter's "Treason" and being upset that it is a right-wing zealot's historical revisionism. What else do you expect? Calm down people. There are people out there who disagree with your world view. Don't waste everyone's time complaining about that. Instead, add to the discourse by finding flaws in their actions and their beliefs. If you want to really help things along, make your points in a humorous manner like Mr. Franken.
Rating:  Summary: True Comedian Review: This is a funny book, on the whole, but also a mean book. What happened to us trying to get along with everyone, loving everyone? Mr. Franken is a true comedian, to the point that he makes fun of our own values by viciously attacking those that don't agree--what happened to peaceful resolution? There were times I almost felt like crying--he has single-handedly turned us into a bunch of attack dogs, even against our own (e.g. printing "Colmes" in subscript). Shameful, Mr. Franken, that we eat our own!
Rating:  Summary: Great book Review: This is a good book for anyone that's interested in the TRUTH.
Rating:  Summary: Fascinating Review: This is a good read for those of us in political middle. Al Franken is a liberal and he is bashing the far right. The best parts are when he shows how the right lies. The worst parts are his reports on some confrontations because you know it was an ambush and they were unprepared. The story about how we believed that Al Gore said he invented the internet makes me feel gullible. (He said he helped create it -- by sponsoring the funding).
Rating:  Summary: Great book Review: This is a great book and fun to read. It sets the record straight on many isuses that have been reported with a right wing bias from the ecomomy to the war on terrorism. Al, keep up the good work.
Rating:  Summary: A Great Book Review: This is a great book and well worth reading no matter what your ideological bias. For the right wingers, it shows that your favorite pundits have a lot to answer for. And if you still agree with them after reading Franken's book, at least you will know where their weak points are, and you will know where you will have to spin when you are running your own "No Spin Zone" at the water cooler. For the lefties, you will find that somebody else has been thinking your thoughts and doing the leg work to show that your instincts are not so far off. It will also keep you laughing yourself silly. For everybody, this will provide insight as to why Bill O'Reilly has become the poster child for the "Egocentric Bias" in his most recent "Talking points memos." You may have wondered why no matter whose problems Bill is whining over, Arnold, Pres. Bush, or even Joe Wilson, Bill always manages to get back to himself and the horrible thing Al Franken has done to him. And that thing (that Bill has no real understanding of) is that Al has told the truth about him. Sorry Bill.
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