Rating: 
Summary: Reporter who loves the facts
Review: Aside from guffaw-worthy humor, the best thing about this book is that it teaches people how to engage in their own fact-checking when it comes to the news. Nearly every one of the facts or inaccuracies described by TeamFranken in this book can be verified using Google, LexisNexis or the old-fashioned library. Of course, the liberal-left will love reading this book. It confirms what outrages many on a daily basis since Bush became president. But thoughtful Republicans should read it as well. It would be a useful tool to savvy moderates hoping to correct what is causing some to rethink their political affiliation -- militant, supremacist rhetoric. This book hits many nails on the head when it comes to questionable behavior on the part of so-called journalists and politicians. And in a voice that's not overly scholarly (sorry Al) or muddled with hard-to-check he-said, she-said history that leaves people wondering. The chapters on the Wellstone memorial and affirmative action are excellent. More, Al! More!
Rating: 
Summary: Stuart Smalley takes on the right, with mixed results
Review: At certain points within "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them," I could picture Al Franken's character, Stuart Smalley, whining in a shrill voice: "It's just not fair, darnit!"That being said, Franken's new book delivers some well-deserved blows to vacuous right-wing windbags like Blarney O'Reilly and Malibu Barbie conservative Ann Coulter, but even a lefty (such as myself) has to admit that Franken's arguments can come across as pretty thin after the effects of his amplification have worn off. The first half of the book is engaging and frequently hilarious, but after that it hits a lull in which it has a hard time recovering (although later bits, like "Operation Chickenhawk: Episode One" and "The Lawyer and the Waitress" are effective). Another bothersome factor is Franken's incessant praise of the Democratic party as a flawless, saintly, do-no-wrong political institution (I'm a registered Green), which becomes tiresome, especially if you've been made privy to some of Clinton and Gore's shady dealings. Reading this hot on the heels of Michael Moore's "Dude, Where's My Country?" I found the difference between Franken and Moore: Franken is an entertainer, while Moore is a crusader who happens to be entertaining. Does "Lies" expose the liberal bias in media for the myth it is? Yes, and I praise Franken for delivering some much-deserved comeuppance to the bullhorn warhawks dominating the country. But the book as a whole is too long, at times too vague, and also too centered around Franken's celebrity status as a comedian. It's a mixed bag.
Rating:
Summary: Painful
Review: At first I thought Al Franken was just a Rush Limbaugh of the left-wing variety. I'm glad my friend suggested I actually read his book and discover he isn't. The book is a painful read because of the clarity with which he shows the horrible treatment good and decent people suffer at the hands of right-wing blow-hards. From the simple and only slightly disturbing (like Rush's attack on 13-year-old Chelsea Clinton) to the much more disturbing analysis of the "liberal press" where he lined up the ammo for negative press on Gore (with all of his truthful statements that were interpreted as lies--the Internet comment for one) with the much less common negative press for Bush even though he actually did lie or have his talking heads lie for him (like when he was pulled over for driving too slowly when he actually crashed into a hedge while driving drunk). Unlike right-wing books from hacks like Hannity, Coulter, and O'Really (sic), this book is backed up with real facts. He doesn't try to stick in a few near-truths (or complete untruths) to make his points. He respects his readers a little too much for that. Although his research is painstaking (he had the help of a crew of Harvard undergrads), he interjects a bit of humor from time to time to make sure the painful lessons are not unbearable. This book will make you both laugh and cry. Only a comedian could tell it like it is without driving us to depression.
Rating: 
Summary: Whines and the whiny whiners that bore us
Review: At first I thought this was funny but it gradually went down hill. Easy targets all the way around .... people even the farthest right consider wackos. But then the filth started .. foul, filthy language - yeah, Al, sit there so high and mighty trying to pull yourself off as an intellectual - did you tell your mother the Elton John joke? Good old Al loved to highlight the basest behaviors of his targets and yet was just so base himself. This guy is a ranting moron every bit as dangerous as Ann Coulter.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best for 2003
Review: At first, I dismissed this book (prior to it's release), since I don't really enjoy 'cultural humorous books' written by comedians, let alone anything that has to do with politics. When the 'brouhaha' began with Fox Network upon it's release, it made me wonder what they were so worried about (truly, not just an 'infringement' on their slogan), and what they wanted to keep hidden? From page one, I waas hooked. It is not a 'humorous' book, but more of an entertaining, and dare I say 'honest' book, educating the reader into what is really going on in the media world today. With a sense of humor (but not the "Aren't I hilarious?" wink dominant in comedian's books these days), and seriousness, Franken successfully enlightens the reader as to the stunts and structure the media is paralyzed by these days. He explains with deftness and clarity, what the mouthpieces are telling us - and what it all actually means; very helpful to those like myself who find them utterly boring yet boggling. He tears apart percentage charts, flowcharts, and various economic tables - for the benefit of showing the reader that much of what is being fed to us is bull. He does it all with earnest and sincerity. Bravo! to Fox News; for giving Franken the kind of publicity money can't buy (and encouraging readers like myself to read the books we first dismissed). Encore! to Franken; let us hope this is not the last. Certainly, one of 2003's "Best of Books".
Rating: 
Summary: Franken Fights Lies with Truth and Humor
Review: At first, I thought the title could not be the lead for a serious work. But it IS serious, and he meticulously documents mistatements that can only be called what they are - deliberate lies. Franken, with the help of Harvard researchers, confronts the statements of many right wing opinion leaders who mislead the public. He does so by comparing what they say with the truth, and he does so with great humor. He exposes certain media personalities who tell the same lies over and over until people begin to believe them. Franken is very funny, but his message is deadly serious. His book should be read by all who have an interest in understanding how American political opinion is being manipulated.
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Summary: Thanks Al, It's About Time!
Review: At last a scrupulously well-researched, honest, funny, insightful reply to the utter garbage put out by lying liars like Sean Vanity and Ann What's Her Name.
Rating:
Summary: Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced
Review: At last the truth comes out. Coulter, O'Reilly. Hannity etal, exposed for their lies. Well researched and funny as hell. Puts a lot of lies and myths to rest. Read it and weep conservatives.
Rating:
Summary: refreshing alternative to extremist rants
Review: At last! It's been difficult to be a liberal for the last, oh, couple of decades. I used to think Ronald Reagan was bad, until George W. came along with his experienced team of grey-haired criminals. Many is the time I've seethed as right-wing extremists like Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter (aka Nutcase) criticized liberals at the same time they've coarsened public discourse, impeached a president, denied citizens the vote and stolen an election. Then we're told we should "get over it". That Tom Delay and Dick Cheney love this country more than we do. Well, I'm not over it, and Delay and Cheney and Rove don't know what this country is about, and it is absolutely lovely to hear someone (a) point these things out, (b) refute the BS with research and facts, and (c) do so with a laugh. With chapters on Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, the Wellstone memorial service, the military, abstinence, tax relief, pig feces and Barbara Bush, this is a terrific mix of comedy and savage ridicule. This is less detailed than recent books criticizing the administration (eg Joe Conason's Big Lies) but also more accessible -- a great gift for your conservative relations before the upcoming election. I hope this is the beginning of a moderate and liberal movement to take back our country, and I hope the next president will appoint Al Franken Secretary of Information (and Ralph Nader to clean up corporate crime and Al Gore Secretary of the Interior) -- hey, a liberal can dream!
Rating:
Summary: Watch-out Right Wing Nuts...
Review: At long last, here comes someone from the left to take on the right wing bullies. I'm a conservative myself, but even conservatives can take only so much of crap from these extreme right talk show hosts who seem to have taken over conservatism and patriotism...and several other 'isms.
Mr.Franken, though at times a little too liberal for my liking, is genuinely funny and hard hitting at the same time. Unlike some right-wing-nut nitwit "writers", Mr.Franken backs up his cases with proofs. You don't have to be a liberal to love this book.
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