Rating: 
Summary: Truth about the LIARS!
Review: A first-rate book. I GUARANTEE that all the negative reviews below (and soon to be above) this humble writer's were by those who did not actually read the book. Who wants to believe their personal philosophy is based on lies? Not conservatives, but, alas, they cry, scream, and rant when the light of truth is shone upon them. They practice the very slander Franken exposes without any regard to fact. Again, despite what negative reviewers have said (and will say), this book WAS fully researched; taking actual statements of various right-wing "nutcases" and holding them up for scrutiny to see whether or not they were lying. Well, guess what? They were! Franken supports his factual evidence with great humor, too. A must read for anyone with an open mind, and toilet paper for those whose minds can't be pried open with a crowbar. Enjoy!
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Summary: I like Al Franken but I found this book unimpressive
Review: A friend gave me this book as a gift and I wasn't at all moved
Rating:
Summary: True and Funny...
Review: A friend lent me this book after hearing that I watched Fox News. So I read it having heard Franken speak occasionally I read it with an open mind. I finished it in a day it was that good (although I skipped the Jawhawkers story). Let me just say that if anything in this book was fabricated that Franken would have been sued for libel. He hasn't. Therefore everything is true. I no longer watch Fox (except O'rielly for a good laugh). This is an excellent book. There is a reason its a bestseller. ITS ALL TRUE!
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Summary: BRILLIANTLY FUNNY -- LIKE IT OR NOT -- ESSENTIAL READING
Review: A friend mentioned to me the other day that she likes Al Franken's humor and commentary, but that she worries that he should be 'more professional' in his style, so that those (to paraphrase Bruce Springsteen) blinded by the Right might actually listen to what he has to say. I don't really think the Right is his 'target audience' here - just his target. Those who pontificate on the vast number of Right-oriented talk shows that crowd the radio and television airwaves aren't likely to change their opinions or tactics under the influence of Al Franken (Arianna Huffington's conversion aside...). I see Al more as a cheerleader for those already in the Liberal camp, a munitions supplier of ideas and facts, if you will. My ex-wife has a great expression about what Al does - she calls it 'preaching to the choir', and it's an astute, perfectly apt description. The implication of course, is that the choir is already firmly in the preacher's trench - but who knows what might happen if they are inspired to sing a bit louder, with more feeling and commitment...?My friend had a point - the zeal with which Franken pursues his foes ('LIARS...!!'), combined with his piercing wit and his sometimes potentially-offensive language, could, I'll admit, put some people off. Personally, I found it hilarious to the point of producing tears - but more importantly, backed up by meticulously researched source and background data. There are a lot of personal opinions contained in this book - but the amount of verifiable information is quite stunning. Subject by subject, point by point, lie by lie, distortion by...well, you get the idea...Franken exposes the methods of the Right like a surgeon going after a particularly elusive malignancy (an apt simile, if I do say so myself...). It's tempting to dive into a discussion with one's friends or coworkers of the opposite political persuasion with a hearty 'Oh YEAH...?!!' - but in order for productive discourse to occur (hopefully without resorting to schoolyard fisticuffs), it's a good idea to have a quiver of facts with which to reload your bow again and again, sending barb after barb into enemy flesh...sorry, I got a little worked up there. Anyway...this book is an invaluable tool for understanding the politics of deception, distraction, trickery and outright lies that is being practices on the public over the airwaves and in print - a public that deserves better. They deserve to hear and know the truth before they go into the voting booth in November. Read it and weep: the Right, for seeing your shamelessness exposed in print; the Liberals, for what has happened to fairness in reporting. Most of my reviews are in the music category, so I'll end this by quoting British singer-songwriter Richard Thompson: 'It's time to ring some changes.' Arm yourselves with the Truth, and let's get out there and sweep. p.s. - I don't mean to imply that Franken is the only source of good information and Truth out there. Michael Moore's writing is priceless as well - and there are countless others. Start looking, and follow the links...read everything with an open mind, and check out anything that doesn't ring true to you. Let's be debaters who think, and know their material - an mindless ideologue is a mindless ideologue, whichever side of the aisle he/she inhabits.
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Summary: A troubled conservative
Review: A friend of mine (another moderate conservative like me) recommended I read this book. I initially thought it would be just more bilge of the type spewed by Limbaugh, Coulter and the like except this time from the far left. I usually ignore or just laugh at those jokers. However, I found this book different in that it is very impressively researched. Now, I'm not in agreement with everything Franken says but I do agree he has done a remarkable and accurate job in pointing out some very troubling examples of extremism on the part of far right politicians and mouthpieces. (For more examples all you have to do is check out some one star reviews on here. Yeesh. What kind of hateful boobs are these people? Not Republicans I hope.) What I do hope is that the Republican party wakes up cause I don't want these jokers speaking for me. Oh - and the reviewers who actually read the book are correct - the book is indeed hilarious (in places). Moderate conservatives - in fact, all conservatives who consider themselves to be decent, honest people - moderate or not - are well advised to read this book and inform themselves about what is taking place in this country's media and political offices in their names.
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Summary: A good read for someone without any common sense.
Review: A friend of mine purchased Al's book (I never would have myself), I thought he was crazy for doing so in the first place, and even crazier after I read it. I was so tempted to see if I could some how figure out where Al is coming from with his point of view, as I tried to keep an open mind. After reading it here are my findings: 1. First off I think it is supposed to be one big SNL comedy sketch, because everything he says is a joke (by joke I don't mean funny, but insane.) 2. He rips everyone from Fox news, to President Bush, to conservatives in general, without a hint of proof behind anything he says. IMO. 3. This book is 100% directed at ripping anyone with common sense morals, and a common sense mindset. I really got the feeling that he is so upset that there has been this backlash against the liberal movement in this country, that he tries and tries again to pull the wool over the eyes of readers with tales only a Sadaam loyalist could come up with. Sorry Al, despite what you think, there are still quite a few educated and intelligent people out here. IMO it's a waste, but I had to see if I could some how some way look at any of his views and see if maybe he could put some legitimate logic behind it... I got nothing. This book all in all, truly frightened me, from the point of view that there really are people out there that think this way. As a side note; I am a registered independent if that makes any difference. Jason
Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful and funny
Review: A funny and provacative book. Franken capably undermines much of the myth of the "liberal media" and takes on people like Sean Hannity and Ann Coulter. There is a hilarious encounter with Barbara Bush and some wonderful fictional satire dealing with the GOP and military service, and the blurring of capitalism and Christianity. This book is angrier than the Limbaugh one, however, and at times Franken loses his cool. He is personally offended by the treatment of the Wellstone memorial service and also with the arrogance of this administration. Hard to argue with him on either, but the book at times loses its wonderful humorous edge. That is his strength. I think this book should be read. It is unapologetically liberal and makes no pretense at anything else. But he researches his sources. You may quibble with his conclusions, but he isn't making this stuff up (unlike Coulter and Hannity). All he is asking is a critical look at what Fox News and this administration are selling. Seems like a reasonable request to me.
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Summary: Kicks Micheal Moore's Ass Anyday
Review: A funny read; satiracal, yet holds some truth also. Like most political writings, some things get out of proportion of too extreme, but it is all in good fun.
Rating:
Summary: Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them
Review: A good - fun read. Let's you know you should question EVERYTHING!
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Summary: Americans, check facts; don't listen to the loudest voices.
Review: A good lesson I've learned (forgive me, I'm slow) is to check facts before believing sensationalism. I've enjoyed 'expose' books about the left and the right (I refuse to label myself as either because I think, like most americans probably do, that there are good points on both sides). But an error I've made is to believe what is written for the most part, because I actually had faith that publishers do fact-checking before printing something. Now, I understand that anecdotes usually are unprovable, but quoted facts and figures are. So, when someone like Al Franken goes to the trouble to check facts and figures and finds that recent bestselling authors (and/or their ghostwriters) mis-quote, lie, and do other slimely things in print, I am ashamed for the publishing world. Not that publishers and the media are saints, but I actually had some faith that they tried to be truthful. And when a fact is found to be false, they admit it. But my faith is shattered. The American way blesses those like Al Franken who expose this stuff. Plus, he does it with a razor sharp wit. It is no wonder that this little guy is causing so much anger amongst the right wing group. They can't blow off being proven as liars. He should now write a book exposing the lies of the left's sensationalists.
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