Rating: 
Summary: REVERSAL OF RIDICULE
Review: In this hilariously entertaining book, Ann Coulter devotes an entire chapter to the left wing assault on the "religious right" - code words for white southerner. After a lifetime of seeing white southerners ridiculed in Hollywood and on television by the towering intellects of the left, she had me laughing out loud at these Calhounish buffoons.
Right on, Ann!
Rating: 
Summary: Slandering and Pandering: Pandering and Slandering
Review: ...One of the flaws in all party line rhetoric is that it assumes that there are only two sides to any issue. The inability of Coulter to acknowledge there are more political views than her book has pages is a fatal flaw. She clumps all people to the left of her into one simple term: "liberals". Not only is this dishonest for somebody who claims estimable debate prowess, but it casts a dark shadow over her entire book. It says to the reader- American politics has only two sides to each issue; the left (Democrats), and the right, (Republicans). This preschoolish notion ignores the vast dynamic of American politics, since the majority of Americans subscribe to NEITHER party. Note I am going to use the word "conservative". But know I am using it as a way to describe a community of people, not as a catch-word for right-wing political rhetoric, and definitely not as a slur. Any book that claims to reveal "Slander", if it is meant to be taken seriously, cannot, by definition, slander. Coulter slanders almost everywhere, often with a virile wit. Nonetheless she short circuits any objective purpose her book holds by committing the same crimes she accuses others. Coulter used the old elementary playground rationale, "Well, they did it, so why can't I?" as justification. She's like a rehab counselor who is addicted...She leaves her credibility in the dust jacket of the book, and instead hops on the party train to fame town.
Have you watched her "debate"? Coulter is a three trick pony. She says shocking things so far right Pat Buchanan would faint, she yells as loud as she can to drown out her opponents, and failing that she resorts to the same ad hominim attacks for
which she criticizes liberals. That's not a good debating style. News show talking heads like Coulter (on both sides) make broad statements about the "real" intentions of their opponents, and then go around in circles until resorting to name-calling in one form or another. Both "sides" do it, Ann Coulter does it, and it's hard to take seriously a book that claims only one "side" does it! There is a major difference in the conservative and liberal community. Having a popular book that slanders, accuses, brutally criticizes liberals is an easy way into this tightly knit community of conservative political connections. Rave reviews will flow freely from conservatives. Liberal, moderate, and extreme conservatives absolutely adore anybody who makes an effort to "get the goat" of liberals. It doesn't matter what tactics are used, whether the reporting is biased, rumors presented as facts, quotes and actions are twisted, taken out of context, trumped up to be more than they are, or worst of all, important items omitted for the sake of a predestined conclusion. Despite some reviews here that claim otherwise, Coulter does take part in many of the above, and often. But it won't matter to the conservative community as long as it criticizes the liberal opposition! Conservatives will completely support these people and their work, even if they really disagree with them on a fundamental level about some things. The liberal community is different; they don't circle the wagons when criticizing opponents, and aren't afraid to criticize their own. David Brock discusses in his book "Blinded by the Right" how he was treated as a veritable God of conservativism when his book "The Real Anita Hill" was published. Looking back in retrospect, he saw all the distortions, slanderous accusations, and outright lies that he peddled in that book. Yet since its ultimate conclusion was in line with the conservative political rhetoric, he was showered with adulation from the conservative community, and became a major player in their club. His future conservative writings were taken as gospel, no matter what questionable journalism they held. I think Coulter is doing the same. Conservative writers have discovered an easy way to the top of their political community- write a book full of vitriol and hate for the opposition, make shocking statements that will be constantly quoted, and soup the book up with verifiable "references". It doesn't matter that the thesis is fundamentally flawed. You can't prove that the opposition doesn't debate well and resorts to slandering the opponent by taking part in those tactics yourself. That's laughably hypocritical. I'm sure many conservatives will see that, but choose to ignore it. Why? Because her book tows the party line, kow-tows to the interest of the conservative agenda, and therefore it would be blasphemy to criticize her! . The ol' "liberal media" archetype is thrown around like it's biblical truth. I've read "Bias" and other similar books. There is an element of truth in them; simultaneously, there is also an element of truth in the "right-wing conspiracy" books as well. Both are true to a point, but never to the level that the political rhetoric would have you believe. there isn't an inherent liberal bias in the media. Rupert Murdoch is a hard-line right winger, and he's one of the most powerful media moguls in the world! Limbaugh has 20 million loyal listeners; name one "liberal" political radio star that even approaches half that! It's not the liberal bias of the media, but rather the tendency of liberal leaning people to seek out journalism, television, and news positions. I'm tired of the "liberal media" being used as a scapegoat when people like Coulter realize their brand of radicalism isn't held by a majority in this country. The smaller the numbers of her supporters are, the louder and more shrill her voice will become.
Rating:
Summary: Accurate and honest
Review: Those of you who rated this book with one star and ranted against it -- you are the ones who are biased. This books provides clear and irrefutable arguments. I saw one review that shocked me so much, I had to laugh! The reviewer said that the media is CONSERVATIVE! Wow, I guess that review must be a radical socialist who voted for Ralph Nader! The bottom line is that the media is so tilted to the left that any reasonable person is forced to listed to so-called "conservative" talk radio. Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage, and others are the only clear, reasonable voices out there. Hatred? The hatred is coming from the Left, not the right. The Left hates traditional families, men, and children. The Left represents self-obsessed radical feminists, militant gays, and anti-American nuts. Reasonable Americans of all races, religions, and gender orientation realize that the Republican party is the closest thing we have these days to the American ideal that our ancestors fought for!
Rating:
Summary: FIVE STARS FROM A RECOVERING LIBERAL
Review: For years the conservatives have complained about overt lying by Democrats and a media almost wholly controlled by liberals. It now appears they were correct all along. As a recovering liberal, I admit to a twinge of defensiveness as I read this book. By the time I finished it, I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Coulter is relentless as she piles up the innuendo, twisted truths, and outright falsehoods attributed to my party - a party which has been overtaken by reactionary loud-mouths which betray the fair play and decency we once represented. The thirty-five pages of documentation is hard to deny. I don't want to read childish rants about Coulter's blond hair, short skirts, and political affiliations in college. I want to read substantive rebuttals to her claims. To this request, the silence is deafening. I know there are other open minded Democrats who will read and be embarrassed by the revelations in this book. To the others I say - don't kill the messenger.
Rating: 
Summary: Junior
Review: Bummer--as a moderate, I was hoping there would be something useful or enlightened in here, but it was more name-calling than anything. For those who enjoy that sort of writing, buy the book, you'll be entertained. However, as Coulter is bemoaning the fact that political discussion has declined in this country, she takes it lower than even Carville did in his latest book (which is an accomplishment). Unfortunately, Coulter will do more to undermine her cause and beliefs through this book than she will persuade people to see her side of the story. Anybody who takes their politics seriously and genuinely wants a discussion will be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Here We Go Again . . .
Review: More mud slinging from one party against another. More half-truths and massive amounts of Hypocricy. Why do both sides keep ensuring that the Middle Class is in the center of the firing range? This sort of drivel accomplishes nothing except lining Ms. Coulter's pockets. I've had enough of the "slander," including this book. Ann, quit complaining and do something to improve the country overall. That's what makes an American P:atriotic: putting the best interests of our blessed nation ahead of personal gain. Too bad there are no Patriots left in Washington, D.C. [...] For the record, I'm a religious, fiscally conservative, socially responsible, egalitarian Patriot. Where is the political party REALLY representing the average American? --This text refers to the Hardcover edition
Rating:
Summary: PREACHING TO THE CHOIR...
Review: TOO MUCH INFLAMMAMATORY RHETORIC AND NOT ENOUGH FACT. MORE FACT AND LESS OF HER PERCEPTIONS WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL. SOME OF HER OBSERVATIONS OF THE CURRENT POLITICAL PROCESS OF DEBATE WAS ON TARGERT. SHE IMTIMATED THAT MUCH OF THE CURRENT DEBATE LACKED THOUGHT, FESH IDEAS AND ONLY OFFERED FALSEHOODS. I DO WATCH HER WHEN SHE IS ON CABLE DUE TO THE FACT SHE FORCES ME TO REFLECT ON MY PERCEPTIONS.
Rating:
Summary: Fun......and right on Target
Review: Ann Coulter writes with a combination right hook and left uppercut. SLANDER is one of those books that will either delight you or infuriate you, but it will not bore you. Her indictment of the mainstream media is strident and scathing, yet she punctuates her ides with evidence and anecdotes which strongly support her position. The author is a frequent guest on the many political talk shows and generally holds her own against her counterparts in the mainstream (read "liberal") media. In addition, her columns, appearing in a number of conservative venues (from which much of this book is gleaned), are well written. She is outspoken, often irritating (even to conservatives), yet wholly engaging and entertaining while offering opinions of well-reasoned substance as well. Her main theme (that everything that is wrong with America is due to the liberals) may be somewhat over the top, however Ann makes a compelling case for the need to reverse the overwhelming liberal bias in the media and society which often overwhelms fact with a patina of political correctness.
Rating: 
Summary: Valid Points, Faulty Research
Review: Yes, I am a liberal. Unlike others, however, I'm not going to discount this book. Coulter does make some valid points in her novel. Good for her. However, she makes many errors. Most of the evidence she provides as examples of "liberal bias" are opinion columns. I wonder why they might have a bias? Essentially, her main problem is that she, fairly, attacks liberals who unfairly attack conservatives while refusing to admit that conservatives launch the same campaigns against liberals. Ladies and gentlemen, there is a liberal bias and there is a conservative bias; it all depends on your news source. Liberals attack conservatives and conservatives attack liberals. Denying any of this is crazy and irresponsible. 3 out of 5 stars for some valid and some poor points (and research)
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Read.
Review: Reading the reviews of this book is quite amusing.
Sadly, it seems many "progressive" types didn't bother actually reading the book - simply regurgatating tired knee-jerk diatribes.... They pretty much prove her point. I just keep thinking of Katie Couric's tight lipped smile when Ann referred to her as the "affable" Eva Braun.
|
