Rating: 
Summary: Only good books cause this much division...
Review: Just look at the number of one and five star reviews. Only a good book leave everyone devided. This is great!
Rating:
Summary: Just the facts Ma'am
Review: Back in the 1980's, while working on my degree in History in Silicon Valley, CA, I often found myself in heated arguments which fundamentally revolved around a single idea - McCarthy was right. Years later, while teaching a History class at a High School, a new book was published about "Venona" - or decrypted soviet communications from before, during and after McCarthy's supposed reigh of terror. This evidence should have put to rest any questions regarding the accuracy and importance of McCarthy and his efforts. I introduced this information since the history book provided by the district was clearly biased and inaccurate given the latest information. I was told to simply "teach the book" by administrators. I was not prevented from presenting the new information, but sticking to the book was the suggestion first offered. Ms. Coulter, lays out all the facts in her latest work. Sprinkled with her usual witty jabs at those on the left, she takes the reader through a well documented and supported thesis. However, its sad that works like this get couched in the usual left/right, democrat/republican hopper. Instead, you can simply read her claims and check for yourself. Its all there. All the sources are dutifully noted for the reader to fact check on their own. The myth of who and what McCarthy is may never be corrected. A lie repeated often enough becomes the truth... particularly after half a century! Perhaps this will be a good way to discover how many years of facts it takes to restore the truth. Interested in learning more? Simply do a search on Amazon for the word "Venona" in the book title. There are several works on the subject and they are astonishingly eye opening. Finally, when reading books like this, always let the notations be your guide. If the bibliography does not have primary sources listed, its not likely to be worth your time - or its supposed "facts".
Rating: 
Summary: liberals should love this book ...
Review: because it makes conservatives look like idiots. I'm a conservative and a Republican, and I am ashamed by this book and by the uneducated crowd it seems to attract. This book can only damage the Republican and conservative agenda, because (a) its statements are too easily refuted, and (b) the readers it attracts aren't people I want on my side. There are already so many people who think conservatives are dumb, uneducated rednecks. This book will just reinforce that belief. And please understand that no true conservative -- and no truly patriotic person -- would EVER push for laws "outlawing" liberal opinions or behavior (as some of these reviewers do). Anyone who suggests such a thing obviously doesn't appreciate living in the US, which is founded on the right to have different political opinions. Such a person would really be more comfortable living in countries where you can be jailed for your beliefs -- say, China or Iraq.
Rating: 
Summary: Liberals must read...know thy enemy
Review: This book is another of the typical outrageous work from the conservitive press. I urge all liberals to read this so you know the lies that conservatives will accuse you of for the next six months. First and foremost Ann Coulter writing a book about liberals is like Osama bin Ladin writing a book about America or Yasser Arafat writing a book about Israeli seiges of the West Bank, the side and information is a bit skewed to put it lightly. Treason shows that conservatives will do anything to turn America into a single party, fundamentalist Neo-Christian dictatorship. Coulter's previous work, Slander, has already been proven to be filled with misinformation and out of context quotes. Time and time again we hear conservatives railing about how liberals are pulling our country down, by protecting the people's right of choice, speach, religion, voting, etc. I suggest that everyone read this book along with The Best Democracy that Money Can Buy. THe Best Democracy...is an example of liberal work: fully researched, evidence is presented and both sides liberal and conservative are attacked for their lies and misdeeds.
Rating: 
Summary: I take issue with...
Review: ...the cover of this book. Why is the author presented on the cover wearing an attractive form fitting outfit. Would the author's name alone and a more subtle image on the inlet of the book not be enough to make any sales? Are they trying to showcase her "wits" or her "wears?" Its a petty complaint, I know. The book's content is middle brow and mean't to be read as if you're in the middle of a one-sided fun filled debate. The author is entitled to her conclusions based on her research. And she is free to publish them, especially if she can make more money writing the book than a series of articles in some political monthly. However, her conclusions are not to be taken as the last word. Absolutely no one in the media has the last word on anything at all. Everything I read or hear, I take with a very light foot. All I accept as truth are scientific conclusions based on empirical evidence, and eye witness accounts or videotaped events. Everything else is open to interpretation. And lastly, it is so easy to identify who's in the right wing fanclub on these customer reviews because they are always so belligerent in their criticisms of people who disagree. And it holds true for all the right wing pundits in the media namely that Hannity guy, the O'Riley guy, of course that Savage guy, and the author of this book. On and on and on the list goes of aggressive opinionated media people who waste not a second to jump down your throat, call you names, and not even budge in their views to allow for a discussion without animosity. Have you ever seen Coullter on a talk show where if she thinks something a person says is so ridiculous she gets red in the face and her eyes begin to pierce the lighting. That's when you can expect something short of "liberal retard" on the tip of her tongue to spew out at her fellow guests on the panel. All the right wingers get red in the face. They can hardly contain their emotions. Hannity and O'Riley turn into virtual bullies on the air. O'Riley is a bully off the air as well. I used to work at the Fox News Channel and he walks and talks with an air of superiority that everything that comes out of his mouth is condescending. It even trickles down to his writing crew, where because they work for the mighty Riley they feel they can cop an attitude with the rest of the staff. Aye yai yai, I digress.
Rating:
Summary: Ann Coulter should start her day with Webster's dictionary
Review: It's not odd that someone who chooses a title like 'Slander' for one of her books would demonstrate so convincingly with the title of this book that she seems to be incapable of examining the literal and political meanings of 'treason, 'liberal,' and 'conservative.' Were she to consult any grown-up's version of Webster's, she would find far different meanings for those terms than she so viciously expresses here and in her public appearances. I don't think it useful to quote her here and give any attributive comments, but rather comment on her apparent intent: to label liberals from our recent past as traitors. Those who choose to read this book should experience it for themselves. In any serious high school civics class, she would surely not earn a very good grade, although her book could be used as an example of obverse politics and reasoning. As for American historical fact, which she so crudely ignores, she cannot escape a simple truth: Almost all of the profound, progressive movements and actions of our citizens and their governing bodies were accomplished by the liberals of their time. To be chronological, let's start with the Boston Tea Party and the Declaration of Independence. Remember, Ms. Coulter, that the conservatives of that era were loyal to the British king, who pronounced the Founders all to be traitors, and in fact charged the participants who most Americans revere so highly, with treason. Fast forward through our history, starting first with the 1789 Constitutional Convention, followed by the passage of the Bill of Rights and we come to the Emancipation Proclamation. Another jump and liberals are giving women the vote. All fought for and won by liberals, and most definitely and vigorously opposed by conservatives. I could go on, but mercifully pause here with a public challenge to Ms. Coulter (or any other conservative) to attempt a similar list of significant conservative achievements. As a minimum standard, they should demonstrate, by result, a significant improvement in the welfare of we the people. My guess is that it would be a very short list. There is no reason to believe that liberals have changed their stripes or their hearts. Conservatives have been pretty much in charge during much of the period described by Coulter. A reader of her book might ask themselves what benefits have resulted from that and compare their judgment to that of Coulter's. Please note that my critique was done in a liberal fashion, that is, without trashing anyone, and by using actual facts. As a further demonstration of my liberal progressive heart, I was most generous in giving Ms. Coulter's book a single star. I could have said, "The covers of this book are too far apart," but Ambrose's Bierce has already used it.
Rating:
Summary: Red, White & Blonde
Review: Well, it was bound to happen. It seems as though our Ms. Coulter has finally succumbed and has become yet other victim of todays sadly disposable popular culture. In a world where it is simply the perogative to be larger, louder (brash?) and ultimately much more 'in your face'( thus pushing the ever popular intimidating factor ) it is simply a sad fact that to be noticed ( and thus be able to sell more of your product ) one needs to stretch not only the boundaries of good taste but offer to an ever increasingly hungry, perhaps at time rabid, consumer a product that offers them that ever needful notoriety that as consumers we seem to misguidedly have no small passion for. Films and the music industry have been guilty of this self-styled marketing scheme for many years now and it seems as though it has been only very recent that the book industry has finally caught on that to sell a product in America one needs to have a certain amount of dangerous notoriety first and formost. And with " Treason " it seems as though our author is more then happy to feed that small part in many of us ( Conservatives and others of the far-right persuasion may wish to raise your hand! ) that simply adores having someone state these tawdry little vulgarities and mindless accusations that secretly many of us may harbor as well. Indeed " Treason " if its guilty of anything ( other then countless factual errors and mindless far-right bigotry ) may be that of 'selling the sizzle and not the steak.' But what's an author in todays marketing mad world to do? Is she simply giving the reading public what they may secretly desire...or indeed is Ann Coulter truly flipped her pretty blonde mane in an effort to justify her rather bizarre take on this countrys growing disillusionmnet with the far-right? Make no mistake...Ann Coulter may be regarded as an extremist and a right-wing bigot ( yet oddly arrogant as well ) but no fool is she. Pandering largely to an audience who seems to foam at the mouth ( to say nothing of opening their pocketbooks with alarming speed ) whenever one of these self-styled hate-fests are released our Ms. Coulter knows exactly which buttons to push to achieve whatever desired response she deems appropriate and judging by many of the reviews here in Amazon-land she has once again hit Conservative ( and financial ) pay-dirt. Ka-Ching!! By virtue of being able to laud silly accusations ( making Joseph McCarthy seem a 'victim' to the Democrats demogoguery is priceless! ) and rewrite history ( Nixon losing the election due to his support of Sen. McCarthy is another whopper! ) so as to sound as though it comes directly from Conservative playbook is oddly entertaining enough but when our author apires to a certain amount of respectability by having copious footnotes ( which screams "See, I did my homework!" ) is really almost more then this Democrat can bear. Though we do need to understand that with the recent release and popularity of Michael Savages " Savage Nation " what choice did Ms. Coulter have but to simply lower the intellectual bar even lower so she could appeal to the knuckle draggers on the Right who subscribe to any acknowledgement that Liberals/Democrats are indeed the Devil incarnate. Sadly, not only is it all terribly predictable yet oddly fascinating ( as though one were driving past a mangled car wreck ) but ultimately ( to say nothing of obviously ) so laughable that our Ms. Coulter and her unique brand of Conservative witch-hunt may be beyond parody. Overall, Ann Coulter is simply doing little more then excercing her right of free speech and, at least for this Liberal ( Conservatives may now point your finger and shout "Aha! I knew it!" ), will always have a special place in this Democrats heart. I applaud this authors obvious histrionics and her talent for casting a bright shining light on the sometimes weird and oddly bizarre world of the truly 'out there'Rush Limbaugh 'Dittohead' Conservative. A world where all the complex issues in todays world are simply black and white, where Ronald Reagan is the one true messiah and lastly where our author is considered a real intellectual. Thanks Ann.... a Liberal couldn't have a better friend.
Rating:
Summary: Well Researched - Boldly Spoken
Review: I find it humorous to note the reactions of liberals who have read this book. Its obvious that they will live in denial until the grave. For anyone who would approach this book with an open mind, this book is an eye-opening experience filled with endless cited facts. The truths of McCarthy, Hiss, Vietnam and Communism (just to name a few) highlight factual contridictions to today's misperceptions. There is no doubt which side of the isle Ms. Coulter's politics lie, but this is not an emotional orgy of liberal bashing. This is a well-documented and historically accurate account (perhaps vidication in some cases) of what truly happened as a result of the communist influence over the past 60 years. Perhaps the most compelling conclusion one can draw from this book is that most liberalism is the antithesis of what America stands for.
Rating:
Summary: Fast and Loose With the Truth!
Review: Anybody who reads this should also take a look at Eric Alterman's "What Liberal Media?" Coulter is one of the pundits that Alterman takes apart quite effectively. He shows that Coulter (and numerous other conservatives) play quite fast and loose with truth.
Rating:
Summary: Many on the Right and Left miss the point
Review: The most interesting thing about all the reviews of this piece of propaganda is that everyone takes the premise somewhat seriously. Coulter is not an academic, she is not a historian, at best she is a vicious ideologue/bulldog for the Right. Who honestly holds Joseph McCarthy as a role model, or believes that liberals have done no good for the US?
I would file this under the same category as titles by Pat Buchanan or Barry Goldwater: an extreme view of history retold purely by personal opinion with the stated end-goal of raising pointless controversy (while at the same time making a pretty penny off of their dogmatic constituents/readers).
This book is not junk or a waste of time, it just should be taken on the same level as the Soviet propaganda Coulter claims to hate.
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