Rating: 
Summary: refreshing and entertaining
Review: I am eager for my friends to also read this book so I can talk to them about it. As it is I'm talking to them about it anyway and it's driving them nuts. Supply-side Jesus, Coulter's endnotes, the Wellstone chapter - all of it and I mean all of it is excellent reading.Thank you Al, we needed this.
Rating:
Summary: Great Stuff!
Review: I am fast becoming a fan of Al Franken's. His wit on SNL was not quite me, but as a political satirist, he is in the genius category - in my humble opinion. After recent events in the 2004 political campaign, I have started re-reading this book. It was thought provoking, entertaining, funny, sometimes infuriating the first time I read it. Infuriating not at the author, but at those "Lying Liars". Reading it the second time, within the context of this presidential campaign, it is most revealing. I find myself referring to this book as a literal reference source for discussions with people, contacting politicians, writing letters to the editor, and finding facts or clarity about facts that are brought up in the news.
I was puzzled with the "outrage" by the Bush group at recent comments by Kerry "the biggest bunch of crooks and liars", etc. Then, I remembered something in the book, and voila, there it was:(pg 352) Franken writes, "Yes. Lying is a serious matter. And calling the President of the United States a liar is not something I say with any relish or self-satisfaction" -- Ah, Hah, the "L" word. I don't remember any calls for Franken to apologize, maybe there were? He continues, "Bush lies about important things. Like the economy, his tax cuts, education, our reasons for going to war... But I think he lies only when he feels he has to." The truth hurts, as they say.
I HIGHLY recommend this book to those who have an open mind and a desire for the truth. The fact that it is presented with humor is a great bonus!
Rating:
Summary: VINDICATION OF THE HIGHEST ORDER & OTHER FRESH AIR
Review: I am genuinely thankful for this audiobook, and all
the heart that went into it. Each year I pick one
movie or book that I recommend to everyone. This years
choice, hands down, is "Lies". I have given over a dozen
copies of this audiobook as holiday gifts. Expose books
are a dime per ten dozen, but this one is different.
Each item of information is fully substantiated, yet
still manages to be concise, and quite funny. Whats more,
"Lies" is very broad in scope. Most every nagging right
wing issue and personality from the last few years is
addressed with unfailing poignancy. Al takes em all on,
and nails them dead to rights. Again, with effective
warmth and humor, rather than dry or otherwise tedious
rantings. Most importantly, I found "Lies" to be critically
important in its affirmations to disenfranchised folks who
feel they've been arrogantly steamrolled over by one of the
darkest administrations ever. The Bush Administration is the
worst in my lifetime, and yet, they stupefyingly maintain
support. Largely, by co-opting our honest feelings with fear
tactics, and lies. The fear, hate, and arrogance fostered by
this administration is intense and evil enough, but when
conservative shills like Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, Goldberg
& O'Reilly join the fray with their lies, the prevailing media
air gets quite claustrophobic. Al takes them all apart, all the
lies and unethical behavior, saying all the things you've
muttered to yourself while listening to the news on your way
to work. His facts are irreproachable. This audiobook will make
your day seem brighter, and the air seem fresher. To top it off,
this audiobook is unabridged, and read by Al himself. So you
truly get what he intends to say, with a good comedic delivery.
Yea team! Something good for a change. I wish I had Al Franken's
phone number or address, just so I could thank him personally. Enjoy !
All Good Things,
Greg
Rating:
Summary: Meticulously Researched
Review: I am halfway through this book, and I am amazed. I want to thank Franken for writing such an accessible and cathartic book.
Rating:
Summary: In a class by itself
Review: I am in awe of Mr. Franken's precision and perception, and also of his bravery. Too many of us stand by and let those zany folks on the right lie, lie, and lie again. Mr. Franken has put himself on the line and on the record with a book that is murderously funny and right on the mark. He has my thanks and gratitude. If you think this book isn't telling the truth, then tell me: why isn't Al Franken being sued right and left over it? Think about it.
Rating:
Summary: He tells the truth and he backs it up...
Review: I am just finishing this book and have to say it is really well done - funny, entertaining, and most of all it references and follows-through on tracking down the truth behind the lies these people tell. I can't believe the reviews here that just call Al Franken names and even say "I'd never read a book by Al Franken and won't read this one" - well then don't write a freaken review of it! At least Mr. Franken focuses on the facts presented by the right wing people and clearly shows them for the lies (and liars) they are. He doesn't just call people an ass or a liar or stupid, he presents the person's own record where they prove themselves to be an ass or a liar or just plan stupid IN THEIR OWN WORDS. It's hilarious and well worth the time to read and enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Bad Comedian-Bad Analysis
Review: I am just so worn out from the new liberal Facism. Huey Long said it correctly when he predicted that the new facists will come from the left and they will call themselves anti-facists. At least when James Carville gets up and rants we know that he is a paid stooge. I read this and a Molly Ivins book on a "dare' from an "enlightened" friend who thought I either wouldn't or couldn't. All I can say is at least Molly usually gets her facts right and I get my disagreements from her politics. This lame and incredibly vain man gets his jollies by selective use of the public record, calling that fact and providing playground name calling... Rush Limbaugh at least sells radio advertising... Please waste your time and money if you want to get involved in the current mudslinging...Otherwise, buy subscriptions to the National Review and the New Republic and fight the fight in you own mind... DB
Rating: 
Summary: Funny,Informative and Somewhat Biased
Review: I am not a Liberal, well, not according to what the word liberal means. However, some may disagree with my take on that. I would most likely be considered a moderate with left leaning ideas. I found this book to be hilarious, while at the same time informative. Al definitely has a "thing" for President Clinton. I was not as in love with him as Al, but I recognize that he did do some good things. On the other hand, I can most definitely agree with him on most of his other points. Especially his points on the present administration. For the most part, other than when Al fawns over Clinton, this is a fun book to read and quite informative if you read it with an open mind. I'm hoping to get my ultra conservative husband to read it and see what he thinks. Definitely worth the read. If you don't want to purchase it go to your local library and get your name on the list to take it out.
Rating:
Summary: Scathingly Funny
Review: I am not a political person by any stretch of the imagination, however I was intrigued by the hype and decided to get this book. Franken is probably one of the few legitimate comedic masterminds of our time. This book could have been about earthworms and it still would have made me bust out laughing just as much. Cleverly written and honestly presented, my enjoyment was rivaled only by surprise of gaining a greater understanding of both political extremes of pundits. Trust me, regardless of your political tendency, you will enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Please Help me out. What lie is not a lie?
Review: I am not a Replubican, nor am I a Democrat. I was a Thatcherite who herself inspired Reagan. I have been here for fifteen years and have grown more disgusted by the political process and general lack of voter awareness. I listen to alot of right wing radio, what choice do I have - the alternative is bland music or all day sport. I read quite alot and I have read AL Franken's latest book. Not great literature, not great comedy (quite funny)- but very interesting. The funniest line was the last line. When I read a book like this - I want to make sure that that the extremely serious accusations are correct. So I decide to do some research. If I want to find about about a movie I go to Rotten Tomatoes. For a book what better than than Amazon and the 1100 reviews to date. Since I am looking for faults in the book - I focus on reviews that give it one or two stars. It is these people that will determine whether this book is accurate or not. Remember, this is a top selling book which is accusing the President of the USA of being a lyar!!! I will now list the typical one star rebuttals with my comments were appropriate: 1) "Unsubstantiated" - May be but give me an example!
2) "His arguments can be dismantled in Five minutes" I'm listening
3)"Liberals will follow the fate of James Dean...." Is this a threat or a pagan vision?
4) "He must be a Frenchman" In your dreams (Since French people have 4-6 weeks vacation a year, enjoy long lunches with excellent wine, can wander through streets with beautiful architecture, have affordable health care, job security and very little poverty. His American counterpart is lucky to get 2 weeks vacation, works like a dog, eats processed meat from factory farms without proper hygene and worker safety/benefits, and were there a good chance he lives below the poverty level having had a comparatively poor education, and his future probably means he will lose his manufacturing job in exchange for a job at K-Mart)
5)"Liberalism is basically Secularism". No comment
6)"8 months prior to Sept 11, is the Clinton adminstration Duh !!!" Three people thought that was good review.
7) "I have not read this book..." 8 out 77 thought that was good review.
8) " If he wanted to prove his case he should challenge them directly" This book is a direct challenge. I am looking for factual rebuttals.
9) "He should get a job" This is too deep for me. So the critics have had their say. The above list is merely a representative sample. So far all responses have been vacuous. Thus the conclusion that Bush (and his cronies) is a lyar. During the election campaign I had come to the conclusion that if you had to wade through Bush's deepest thoughts you would not even get your ankles wet. But it is obvioulsly worse than that. He has made huge lies regarding the miltary, his tax policy and Iraq. His every statement regarding the environment is a gaping deception. I'm not particuarly religious, but if you plan on getting votes by aligning yourself with God, you had dam well better be virtuous. Understanding the Gospel according to Luke also might help. Many people who are upset by this callous, hypocritical administartion are accused of a lack of patriotism. Well it is not patriotic to destroy the land air and water that we breath. It is not patriotic to increase poverty or to execute innocent people or execute people who merely get legal aid. It is not patriotic a launch a war having decieved the electorate, it is not patriotic to use religion to get votes, use religion to destroy Science and Logic, to use religion to carry out a pagan foreign policy. It is not patriotic to treat the rest of the world with contempt, to help fund the educational infrastructure that breeds people who dream of destroying America. It is not patriotic to lie. No that is not patriotism. but it does threaten the longterm security of me, my family and all who want a happy healthy and prosperous longterm future. Ignorance may be bliss - but it is also highly dangerous. Bush's crimes listed in this book are worse than Clintons (i.e the politically inspired investigation into his private life, that paralized the country for a year and led to issues that should reside between husband and wife, not a with a bunch of adulterous political enemies) or Nixons relatively minor crime. With hindsight and without the promised ('we know where they are')weapons of mass destruction, the war on Iraq was obviously illegal. Impeachment should be in the air.
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