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Summary: Funny, Tough, Honest
Review: Amazing book that takes apart the lies told by the reactionary right wing in America. It is fitting that Fox sued Franken because he exposes much of their falsehoods here. Franken tells the truth about what really happened at Paul Wellstone's memorial, and what exactly did Al Gore say about the Internet, Love Story and Love Canal. Franken is funny, tough and honest. This book is worth the money just for the chapter on the Chickenhawks. A very funny adventure with our pro-war leaders who had "other priorities" during the Vietnam war. I was left wondering why it takes a book from a comedian to bring these truths out. It is a troubling sign of the times that the mainstream press doesn't expose these liars themselves.
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Summary: Al Franken is the coolest person alive!!!
Review: Amazing book. Completely life-changing. Al Franken says things that us Democrats should have been saying for a long time.
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Summary: Perhaps common sense can prevail after all
Review: Amidst the insanity that is the United States of the early 21st century, at last there is a quiet voice of hope. Al Franken takes on some of the worst of the neoconservative lunatics in charge, and perhaps if his words get out to enough of the country, progressives and liberals can remove the wool that the neocons have pulled over the nation's eyes. While crude in a few spots (Operation Chickenhawk is skippable), Franken is providing thinking folks with the ammunition to expose the lies and take back the country we love from the power brokers who are destroying it.
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Summary: An Unbalanced Critique From The Left
Review: Among many problems I have with Franken's analysis of the right wing, is the following slight:Franken tells us if we wish to review Bush's environmental record, all one has to do is to go to google, and type in "Bush" "environment" and "horrible" to come up with 42,000 websites. Sounds disheartening. But.... There is a difference between 42,000 results and 42,000 websites. And what google presents is hits, not websites. Also, what Franken doesn't tell you is that if you go to the same search engine and type in Bush environment and wonderful you'll come up with 1,450,000 results.
Seems to me his attack is intellectually dishonest. When one is attacking the credibility of others, it is critical to be srupulous. Franken isn't. But he certainly is more amusing than his rivals.
There are many transgressions that both sides make all the time. I think a more interesting book would be one that shows biases in the media, independently of political persuasion.
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Summary: Great piece of research
Review: Among the sources that Al Franken and his team have interviewed are non other than Bill O'Reilly's own mother. His mother has contradicted O'Reilly's assertion that he grew up in a poor neighborhood and pulled himself up by his own bootstraps. His mother proudly tells Franken that her sons were raised in an upper middle class neighborhood and went to private schools and colleges. O'Reilly is a total liar! Fantastic book and expose of this right-wing blow hard.
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Summary: What more political books should strive to be....
Review: An amazing read! Unlike books by his "colleagues" such as Ann Coulter, Al Franken does a painstakingly thorough and well-researched opinion peace with the wit we've come to expect from the former SNL writer (I still remember and love that Colossal President skit, Al!). For liberals, it will not only seemingly re-affirm everything you know, but also open your eyes to some scary realities (such as those outlined in the Operation Ignore chapter). For conservatives, it will just give you more reason to spew your disgust at everyone who doesn't agree with your pathetic ideologies. However, this tends to be true of most liberal books and, in all fairness, vice-versa for most right-wing books too. Like most left or right-wing books, the favorable reviews in this section are filled out by those who are on the same side of center as the author, most of whom have probably read the book, and the negative ones are filled out by those who are on the opposing side, most of whom have probably not read the book. So it should come as no surprise that I share Franken's political views and have read the book. What Franken exposes here is the hypocricy, contradictions and flat-out lies conservatives like that kneecap with hair Ann Coulter tell. Only unlike Coulter and Bill O'Reilly, Franken goes to great lengths to prove his work. He not only cites his facts (almost all of which are from highly reputable sources), but has not been afraid to go straight to the source when he cannot find the desired information through conventional means (see the Evan Thomas interview). Despite Al's advice to the contrary, I read "Treason." I can't really justify this action, other than to say it had been a long night of drinking and I needed to induce vomitting. The contrasts between the two books are, in my mind, indicative of the contrasts between the hard right and the left. Whereas Treason was factually distorted and hate-filled, Lies was methodically factual and more frustrated than hate-filled, although Franken's dislike for many conservatives is as thinly veiled as the right's hatred for ideological opposition. Overall, an outstanding read for any educated individual who can read a well written book objectively. By the way, Al...if you're ever looking for members for TeamFranken, give me a shout!
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Summary: Why the Right Hates This Book
Review: An antedote to the slogans of the right wingers. Predictably they hate it. All the more reason to read it.
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Summary: A review from Virginia
Review: An entertaining book with some notable flaws that do not detract from its most important message--you cannot trust the media--at all. Al Franken shows how many politicians and some members of the media are busy making up events, facts, etc. while the 'mainstream media' passes on misinformation because they are too lazy to check facts or think critically. The book has two flaws: Franken has blinders on when it comes to the Clintons and he lets himself wander into diatribes. He is at his best when he reveals the incredible lies that have been foisted on us and cleverly uses the same tactics against those he has caught lying. You also have to love the fact that the guy will admit his mistakes. He is too impulsive on a regular basis but he will readily fess up when he realizes he has gone too far. The fact that the book has been catapulted to the best-seller list by an ill-conceived lawsuit is icing on the cake.
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Summary: Excellent Political Satire.
Review: An entertaining expose of the hypocrisies and dissembling of the American right. Franken's got some major biases, but he's up front about them and doesn't claim to be presenting Gospel truths. O.K. actually, he does claim to be presenting Gospel truths, but that claim's not presented in too serious a way. Recommended for Democrats or people annoyed with the right.
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Summary: Finally some FACTS...and funny!
Review: An entertaining response to the right which has played fast and loose with the truth to advance their agenda. Franken uses good humor and facts to advance his. Read, learn, laugh...
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