Rating: 
Summary: Check the used book market
Review: The book is only a few weeks old and is selling for $3 used. That tells you what you need to know about the content. This book will thrill the lemmings who just want to read the rants but offers no intellectual challenges for those who have any critical reasoning faculties.
Rating: 
Summary: Talk about missing the point
Review: The book is so funny that my side hurt for several days after reading it. I note that one reviewer pointed out the otherwise trivial details of how Ol Wild Bill O'Reilly was painted a liar. I have to agree that the fact Wild Bill lied about where he was reared, lied about being a Republican, lied about winning a Peabody Award for Inside Edition(isn't that a hoot), and the other lies he told weren't exactly earth shattering in the grand scheme of things. However, that is the whole point. Franken is making the point that these right-wing idealogues engage in this very technique on a fairly routine basis. In other words, they take a rather small irrelevant assertion of fact and completely blow it our of proportion to its value and then exclaim that an individual is a liar. He gives some excellent examples of just how this technique was used extensively by right-wing idealogues when attacking Al Gore. I do note that when these same techniques are used against the very right-wing idealogues, i.e. Ol Wild Bill, that created the technique they become enraged. A perfect example of that is when Ol Wild Bill started screaming at Franken at a joint appearance in which Franken was promoting his book. So I would certainly recommend this book and would hope people could read it with a little more understanding of its basic premise than some of the reviewers.
Rating:
Summary: reviewing the reviews
Review: The book is wonderful, and what is even better is to read the angry responses by people who didn't even read the book. They simply hate everything that expresses a different opinion than the one that they have been programmed with, apparently. Oh, well. I'd rather laugh at the truth than become angry at opinions. You would think that this book is a threat by the fearful responses, but no. You can relax. The rich idiots will still control the country tomorrow and the day after. This book will not change the world, but it may help you laugh at what is killing it. bye.
Rating:
Summary: Vote Republican, it's easier than thinking
Review: The book was a real hoot, and the thinkers of this nation have a template to work from. As a previous reviewer pointed out the right wing has been in power for only a short while and we are in a shambles: War, Deficit, Depression (?), hate mongering, spying on citizens, bill of right's torn to shred's, schools in the sewer, paranoia, and the list goes on. Ian Anderson said it so well in the 70's "If Jesus saves, well he'd beter save himself from the gory, glory seekers who use his name in death." Reading some of the negative reviews is entertaining in itself. The low tolerance level's and blind hatred just permeates. Good examples of the Republic party and it's short sighted thinkers. Well maybe not thinkers, I should say Knee-jerk reactors.
Rating:
Summary: Franken fractures freaking frauds
Review: The book was hilarious. Political satirist Franken obliterates the liars he focuses on. It is like watching a skilled surgeon cutting out a malignant tumor. I particularly enjoyed his dismantling of Ann Coulter and her book, Slander, where she tells outright lies that the average knee jerk conservative would never think to question. Supply side Jesus has got to be my favorite part of the book.
My only criticism is that Franken does not offer as compelling an explanation of the purpose and intent behind the lying. If you want to go the next step and understand exactly WHY all these liars are selling their souls, read Francione's HOW TO SAVE AMERICA AND THE WORLD. Not quite as entertaining as Franken but it goes much deeper looking behind the lies to the reasons why. If you loved this book you'll love it even more.
Rating:
Summary: Very mean-spirited book with little humor
Review: The book was not very entertaining and lacked the satirical aspect that I was expecting. It was filled with mean-spirited personal attacks against certain individuals with differing opinions than those of the author. Definitley not worth the money. If you must have it, wait until you can buy a used paperback.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful, Even Profound, Illuminating, and Funny
Review: The book's as good as Franken's fans could have hoped. As he did 8 years ago in his first book, he has cut through a whole lot of clutter and presented undeniable truths that fly in the face of the myths we're being conditioned to believe.We Americans have been lied to and manipulated by a media whose biases are not "liberal", they are more self-interested and corporate in nature. Think about this point for example - George Bush told a bald-faced lie during the 2000 Campaign as to whether he'd been arrested since 1968. He got away with it! The so-called "liberal media" let him get away with this whopper. You probably wouldn't hire somebody as a grocery clerk who lied to you about whether he'd been arrested or not. We ended up electing this guy (sort of, anyway) President. Franken has done us all a great service by collecting so many obscured but undeniable truths into one book. Also, it's funny. From the gentle humor of "Supply Side Jesus" to the extremely biting next chapter of "Operation Chickenhawk", it's very very funny for the most part. Though occasionally Franken's jokes go flat - he is a man who could use some help editing himself. He's also the greatest political satirist this nation's seen though and this book is MUST READ if you care about America and/or care about the truth.
Rating:
Summary: Passionate, entertaining, well researched and Intelligent.
Review: The chapter about the distorted accounts of the Paul Wellstone memorial was equally horrific and deeply moving. The CD version includes actual excerpts of Rush Limbaugh's show, as well as actual excerpts from the memorial. I highly recommend this book and would suggest the purchase of the CD version over the print version due in no small part to Franken's wonderfully entertaining and passionate reading as well as his 'liberal' use of actual recorded source material. A great book for anyone who is interested in politics and/or jornalism. Moderate, liberal or conservative, anyone who hates the talking head, always on message, never a true discussion of facts newsmedia we are currently subjected to. This book details tacticts used by those who value sensationalism, and winning the debate over winning it on the merits of their argument. It meticulously sites fact after fact not only pointing out blatant lies made by the more extremely "fair and balenced" media personalities as well as the Bush administration, but debunks the myth of a left leaning media.
Rating:
Summary: Just excellent.
Review: The chapter on the lies about Al Gore during the 2000 election is alone worth the price of admission. Everyone should buy this book to understand the way the right wing media machine manipulates the truth and crushes debate.
Rating:
Summary: Spot on
Review: The comments of "A Reader" below obviously mean that the book is truthful and spot on. Otherwise, why would he get so upset! I enjoyed this book and find it scary that so many people get their news from these liars. It's not possible for everyone in America to confirm facts that the media spit out. America should demand truth in journalism. Whether you are right or left, at least you want to know the truth, dont you? Thank you Al Franken.
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