Rating: 
Summary: Great Franken humor, but also sadly illuminating.
Review: This is the best book on politics and the media I've read in a long time. While plainly exposing many of the rabid ultra-conservatives who are somehow taken seriously in this country, for what they really are - simple hypocritical liars, Al Franken also manages to show once again that he is a very funny guy.Even as someone who actually voted for Reagan and Bush Sr. (can't say I voted for Dubyah), I've been amazed at how much right-wing inspired (or created) rumor and propaganda have been reported in the mainstream media as fact over the past decade or longer. This book starts to explain why. "Win at all cost" seems to be the rule of the day. But, as Franken says, politics is not just a game - it affects the lives of real people. Many of the passages in this book will make Americans very angry, as they did me, but Franken still finds a way to keep the book firmly based in humor. Not that the stories aren't serious - they are, and are thoroughly documented with common-sense research and conversations with the actual participants (one would think the press would verify their facts as thoroughly). Speaking as someone who feels bombarded by these right-wing talking heads (I mean really, these people are everywhere - even ESPN/ABC tried to inject Rush Limbaugh's venom into the honest, non-political joy of watching football on TV - some "liberal media!"), Al Franken's is a refreshing voice of sanity, humor and decency. Between laughing out loud and shaking your head ruefully, you'll find this a very good read.
Rating:
Summary: Franken tears shreds off the opposition
Review: This is the book Michael Moore wishes he could write. Franken doesn't so much go after Bush and the republicans as he goes after the right-wing media that spreads their agenda. The book interestingly seems to almost be in the style of the main form of political discourse today - the newspaper column. The book is largely broken up into dozens of small chapters that can be read in a few minutes. Franken goes after a few easy targets with amusing results - O'Reilly and Coulter are almost too easy for him. But his assault on Sean Hannity is brutal, Hannity is exposed for the partisan hack he is with a merciless recounting of his own stupid work. The book later moves into different territory with mixed results. His trip to Bob Jones university and his operation chickenhawk sketch fall flat under the thinness of their gags and the constant quoting of Bill O'Reilly's sex writing loses it's comic zeal. Franken's comic timing seems best suited to short, sharp jabs. The book's most memorable chapter is his account of the funeral of Paul Wellstone and the subsequent distortion of it by the 'liberal' media. This is the the long chapter that works the best as it is driven by a moving story and Franken's anger to those who tried to rubbish the legacy of this great man after years of misrepresenting and ridiculing him. Despite some parts of the book not working well overall it is a splendid read, uproariously funny at times. However Franken's message is ultimately serious. Through History both personal and general Franken makes an argument for a social-democratic agenda in governemnt, and this is where the book finishes well. This is book is more than just a partisan screed, it is worth noting that in his very public turn against Bush, Howard Stern noted this book was crucial in his change of mind. Let's hope a few more people read it before November.
Rating: 
Summary: A Pleasurable Dose of Media Literacy
Review: This is the first book by Al Franken that I've read. And I enjoyed it. A lot! I enjoyed it because Franken does an incredibly thorough job (with the help of TeamFranken) at reviewing a lot of right-wing rhetoric. And, more to the point, he shows his work. He shows his work so well that one can go to the sources and check them -- something I've done with a few of the more disturbing points (for example, the fact that much of the plan for a cabinet level Homeland Security Office and prioritizing our efforts against Osama bin Laden by putting ground forces in Afganistan came from the Clinton Administration well before the tragedy of 9/11 -- call me a stupid liberal, but I didn't know that! -- Maybe because the current administration really doesn't want me to!). What amuses me about the book's title and tone is that Franken seems to be mocking the ad hominem attacks and vitriol that he criticizes in much of the conservative rhetoric. Unfortunately, a cursory review of reviews seems to suggest that this tactic, while amusing, left much of Franken's hard work vulnerable to a tu quoque ("you too!") response from the right (forgetting, of course, that "tu quoque" is a rhetorical fallacy). And to those one star on-line and popular reviews that claim that Al Franken is a liar, I think the burden of proof is on your shoulders to show YOUR work. Otherwise, saying the same thing ("Al Franken is a liar!") over and over again until you believe it is true is, well, exactly the phenomenon that Franken asserts is the problematic SOP of the the radical right. To be sure, the book has its good points and its less good points. The good points, though, are good enough to offer hope to a country in crisis. Early on in the book Franken captures what is, I think, at the heart of the clash between liberals and conservatives. Conservatives love this country like a four-year-old -- mommy can do no wrong and all who say anything against her are bad, bad, BAD. Liberals love this country like adults. We believe in an open society that remains constantly vigilant of its policies and actions, aware that the best intentions can lead to bad decisions. We love this country enough to be honest about our past and present wrongs as well as our past and present triumphs. We know that this country, like all healthy loving relationships, benefits from open and honest dialogue. Indeed, most liberals know that we need conservatives because their views matter and should be part of the on-going national dialogue always in search of the best course of action, the most appropriate policies. If only the conservative right were willing to publicly grant a similar value to liberals. Instead, "liberal" has become a literal devil-term in most of their rhetoric, synonymous with "weak," "corrupt," "immoral," and "America-haters." I submit, with Al Franken, that it is more courageous, more brave to love this country by acknowledging that it is not now and never has been perfect. That ability, more than a hawkish willingness to assert ourselves militarily, is what makes this country the "home of the brave." Franken's target, then, isn't so much conservatism as it is the all too prevalent trend in right-wing rhetoric to "win at all costs" by saying anything. For example, his point isn't to nit pick O'Reilly about the details of which award he won or what part of Long Island he grew up on. Franken's point is that O'Reilly and his ilk have used lesser untruths to dismiss many a politician and more liberal commentator, thereby shutting down dialogue. The point is that O'Reilly, a journalist (!), is seemingly incapable of admitting to a mistake, apologizing, and correcting it -- especially a mistake like the Peabody Award claim that he used on multiple occasions to assert his own credibility and dismiss others'. So, to Al Franken, thank-you for a book that at its heart really only calls for fair play and honesty in the media/political debates of this country. I could wish optimistically that one book would be enough to turn the tide away from "say anything" cynicism that seems to rule the halls of govenment and media alike, these days. At the very least, I hope this book is part of a growing trend of frustration in this country with people saying anything and then getting away with it -- a frustration that will hopefully have consequences in the voting booths come November 2004.
Rating:
Summary: Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them
Review: This is the first book I've read by Al Franken but it will not
be the last! It is absolutely, fabulously interesting. I started reading it at bedtime, tried to sleep but couldn't so read half the night! Republican DIRTY TRICKS are as low as they can go -- they even smeared John McCain to steal So. Carolina for "that thing" who has made a MESS of the USA and the world! I will not soon forget chapter 25 concerning the death of Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone and how the Republicans distorted the memorial service. Disgusting! But what can we expect from any Republican anyway? They don't know the meaning of honesty and decency now; never did; never will. Thank you, Al Franken!
Rating:
Summary: excellent read
Review: This is the first book I've read by Franken, and I loved it! I'm definatly going to pick up "rush limbaugh is a big fat idiot" and see what I've been missing out on. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars....
Rating:
Summary: Incredibly Funny!... The Truth Hurts!
Review: This is the first book I've read by humorist Al Franken, but I am most certainly planning on reading the rest. Tired of all the Democrat bashing being done by uninformed Bible fanatics like Ann Coulter, Al has taken the war to the White House in this well-written side splitter. With a crew of Harvard Lefties to back him up, Franken has unmasked the truth behind how Right Wing Fundamentalists keep getting elected-- lies, lies, and more lies! A must read for anyone interested in hearing from the Left (trust me, you won't find it on prime time) or for any Right Wingers and Moderates out there who want to get the rest of the story!
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious look at politics
Review: This is the first book I've read recently that made me sigh in frustration, laugh in amazement/amusement/shock and made me think. I have never read Al Franken's books before ~~ never heard of him till someone in another article complained about how bad his book is (Lies and The Lying Liars Who Tell Them) ~~ which made me pick this book up. I have to agree with Franken on most points ~~ as a former worker in the media, it is easy to take quotes out of context and make up stories to shock the reader. I am now a Franken fan. This is one book I will definitely share with everyone ~~ regardless of their political beliefs. There is too much truth to what Franken says. 5-29-04
Rating:
Summary: Glad I read this one!
Review: This is the first political book I have ever read. At first I thought it was going to be really boring and make me fall a sleep everytime I open it, but it was actually the complete opposite from the very beginning. I was not sure whether I was Liberal or Conservative but after reading this book and agreeing with Al now I know I am a Liberal and proud of it. This book was a funny piece of political writing and done in a very smart way. Al's arguments are done in a respectful, diplomatic and intelligent way. Which allows the flow of the book to run very smoothly for the reader to follow. Al uses the facts to dissect the lies that the right-wing or Conservative people have been telling America. The book itself was really entertaining. I enjoyed the comic " The Gospel of Supply Side Jesus," in the back. It made issues clearer for me. Operation Chickenhawk: Episode One should be made into a short film it shows todays leaders as they truly are and how they really act. The part of the book that I enjoyed the most was "Our National Dialogue on Terrorism." Because it is true about the way America feels about trying to understand the terrorists and why they do what they do. I shared that piece with my senior English class and eveyone felt that was the true outlook America has and we had quite the conversation on the subject. So if you are a Liberal or not quite sure read this book and you will know for sure.
Rating:
Summary: When you want your truth funny...
Review: This is the most hilarious and astute contemporary political commentary I have ever read (and I've been averaging at least two books a week for fifteen years). It's definitely worth the extra dough to hear Franken read the book himself. His timing and inflections are superb. Also, you don't have to be a "liberal" to enjoy the book. All readers of American News will find plenty to laugh at ... and cry over.
Rating:
Summary: You Can't Handle the Truth
Review: This is truly an excellent book. Funny and well-researched. Franken makes an important contribution, in an entertaining way. I give it 5 stars for anyone who approaches the book with an open mind. But if you are a close-minded person who is determined to use this book to back up the ideas you already have about Al Franken or liberals in general (much like many of our 1-star reviewers), then don't bother to read it. It is as good as the reader is open-minded.
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