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Summary: A voice of reason in a Smirky era
Review: Al Franken's book is close to genius. Hard-hitting, sharp, honest and witty, it pulls NO punches and gives no quarter to the cabal of neocon goons who incessently belch Bushco's all-too-transparent propaganda. Finally a book that dares to do what the mainstream news is afraid to do -- take on the idiocy of the current regime and the troop of rabid screaming faux news heads that prop it up. Well done, Mr. Franken!
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Summary: Well-researched, informative, and entertaining
Review: Al Franken's book is enjoyable and informative on many levels. I appreciated how he researched the book. His journalistic skills are impeccable and his "paper trail" leaves no doubt to the credibility of his arguments. My teenage daughter, who is discovering the fascinating world of politics, was drawn to the book by its humor, but then couldn't put it down because of Franken's style. The book is a page-turner because Franken dices it up -- there are lists, mock tests, comic strips -- all quite funny, but all alarmingly accurate. Satire at its best! Mark Twain and Jonathan Swift would love Al Franken.
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Summary: pretty fair, for the most part
Review: Al Franken's book is for the most part pretty fair and evenhanded. He tries to stick to the facts, and unlike Coulter, he doesn't spend that much time name calling (though it does happen here and there). He generally backs up what he says and doesn't get too rabid. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with everything he says, but he does try to keep it fair. Add that to Franken's wit and great writing style, and I'd say if you want to read a book discussing today's politics, then pick up Franken.
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Summary: The Best Stuff Ever
Review: Al Franken's book is hilarious! Lies and the Lying Liars reveals the truth about our government and media's attempts to deceive America! Through wit and humor, Al has outmaneuvered those who make a living stirring up our emotions for their own causes and agenda. This book provides not only a reality check, it truly provides a balanced view of many issues promoted and portrayed by our government and media. It is NOT a liberal bias. Al takes a franken approach the facts and sails down the middle of the road. I couldn't stop reading once I had started. Bravo AL! Keep the good work coming, and keep us laughing! Buy this book!
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Summary: Didn't Like It
Review: Al Franken's book is just slightly hypocritical. Polotics as a whole is hypocritical. He calls out a lot of conservatives and bashes them and calls them out on issues, but you don't see him doing it to liberals. All poloticans are liars and it's kind of funny to watch one guy call others liars and not bash others.
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Summary: Entertaining as well as informative
Review: Al Franken's book is often crude, sometimes witty, mostly entertaining, and always informative. Inevitably, there are strengths and weaknesses. Al Frank is a comedian, and it takes some sense of humor to recognize immediately when he is joking. On the other hand, he and his group have made an amazingly good job of checking and presenting facts. I found the chapter on Clinton's fight against terrorism and Bush's neglect of this threat before 9/11 the most powerful of the book. Those reviewers calling him a liar should present a list, or at least examples of his "lies."
One of the major weaknesses of the book is Al Franken's penchant for vulgarity. Somebody should tell Mr. Franken that while a properly used, occasional profanity can serve a purpose, excessive use only distracts those who do not find coarsening of behavior entertaining.
It is clear from some of the negative comments on these pages that Al Franken has touched a nerve and it is instructive that all they can come up with are invectives without any fact or logic. They show much more about themselves than about Franken and his book. The book is far from perfect if you want a definitive, scholarly exposure of all the major lies and distortions in their order of importance. But if you want something both informative and entertaining, it is hard to beat. Let's hope that Mr. Franken continues to expose the lies and distortions as he sees them.
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Summary: Finally, someone who can fight back.
Review: Al Franken's book is smart, funny and right on target. Finally, there is someone who is willing to stand up to the bombastic arrogance of Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly and Coulter, to name a few, and call them what they are: liars. And, best of all, Franken documents every word.
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Summary: Exposes common lies of the government & media
Review: Al Franken's book is very very funny. At the same time, Franken uncovers and exposes common lies that have been perpetrated on the American public by our politicians and media. Franken doesn't pull many punches and goes after Coulter, Limbaugh, Cheney, Bush, O'Rielly, Falwell, and many others, often showing them to be liars simply by quoting them. Al's hit on a strategy which may help counter the current culture of lies: "We have to fight back. But we can't fight like they do. The Right's entertainment value comes from their willingness to lie and distort. Ours will have to come from being funny and attractive." Franken does his part with extraordinary wit - and his photo puts the splotchy O'Rielly on the cover to shame! Thanks for walkin' the walk Al!
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Summary: SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING
Review: Al Franken's book is well written, but not superbly written. It has some sections that would best be left out. But Franken's analysis of right-wing demagogues should not be missed. His detailed proof of repeated lies told by O'Reilly, Coulter, Hannity, Limbaugh, Bush and Cheney is damning and should be required reading for anyone who puts their trust in these individuals. Tellingly, not one person, not one, has yet exposed any untruth allegedly told by Franken in this book. That says it all, for we must know that the right wing is pouring over this masterpiece in detail trying to expose even the slightest fib. Note how even the people who trash this book as "lies" in their reviews here fail to specify even one alleged lie. Why is Fox and the right so up in arms about this book? Because the truth hurts, bad.
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Summary: Wakeup call
Review: Al Franken's book should be read by all FSN watchers , Limbaugh listeners, and working class citizens as a prerequisite to the right-wing propaganda being spewed from Dubya's hacks.Hello America---time to wake up!
This is a funny and informative look at the Bush propaganda machine and how NOT to fall for their LIES (or the lying liars who tell them).Even I had fell for the Wellstone Spin! He sorta made me feel sorry for people who actually believe their BS and follow along like good little sheep.
Thanks Al--Wake up America!
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