Rating: 
Summary: Bill is back and at his best again
Review: If you liked the O'Reilly factor book, you will like this provocative book even more. This is Bill at his best, outside of the factor show on Fox!!
Rating:
Summary: Lively, FUN, enlightening...and surprising!
Review: When comedianne Rosie O'Donnell made her highly-touted appearance on Bill O'Reilly's hit Fox show "The O'Reilly Factor" she noted that her staff didn't want her to go on it. They thought he was a right-wing ideologue, with a political ax to grind, and an ideological message to sell. But, she told him in the interview, she decided to go on after doing her OWN research and learning a few surprising things -- such as the fact that he had admired Robert Kennedy.
Rosie clearly read this book. For the Bill O'Reilly displayed here is someone who looks at all sides, then takes a firm position -- but he IS looking, and he is listening (and he will tell you in no uncertain terms what he finally thinks).
At first I did not want to read this book. I had bought LOTS of good political and humor books written by people on the right and left. I usually read them and find them enjoyable for the first half, then lose interest (am talking about books by Republicans, Democrats AND Green Party members) because they are so clearly pitching one political viewpoint and belittling another. There are seldom any "gray" areas. But as a former journalist I liked what I had seen of Bill O'Reilly in some of his interviews. So I got the book -- and could NOT put it down. I read it in one sitting, through the wee-hours of the evening and early morning.
What's surprising in this lively, HIGHLY enjoyable and enlightening book (and it would be no surprise to Mr. O'Reilly and those who've loved him all along) is how studiously he has worked through these issues. In O'Reilly's world, there DEFINITELY ARE gray areas: those who disagree with him are not immediately demonized, he conceeds they have a good point when he believes they do, and he generally ends the chapter on (most of) them with a respectful comment. Indeed, his ire and barely-concealed contempt is usually reserved for those who refuse to appear in the hot seat on his show's "No Spin Zone." He truly does do ANALYSIS, but his journalistic training shines through in the way he reaches his heart-felt conclusions. I STRONGLY recommend this book for several reasons:
1)The style. This book, written in a consersational style, is well organized. O'Reilly sets up each issue, then tells you some behind-the-scenes info about what the interview subject was REALLY like. He gives you part of the interview in transcript form, and has the last word (he acknowledges at the beginning that he will do this -- he is after all the author.).
The book's quick pacing is similar to his fast-moving FOX News special on the corruption of America's children. This book zips along, yet you get a lot of info, interview snippets, plus a O'Reilly's final position...and even if you disagree with it he clearly has weighed the pros and cons...and is not simply offering either party's line (Democrats AND Republicans will find they do not completely agree with him). 2)The actual interviews. The book is subtitled Confrontations With the Powerful and Famous in America. Don't expect a book version of a scream fest or partisan name-calling. The 16 issue-oriented chapters include interviews with folks including Dr. Joyceln Elders, former Clinton surgeon general (he likes her as a person, feels she is sincere, and agrees with her on some things but not some others); Jesse Jackson (won't come on his show to answer tough questions but he talks to an associate); CBS's Dan Rather (O'Reilly's no-holds-barred background account of his years working at CBS News in what he describes as an office political snake-pit further confirms some of the points made in the later book Bias, and Rather seems flustered by O'Reilly's grilling); former Clinton Advisor James Carville (always lively)...and much more. 3)The info. The many issues O'Reilly tackles here (from pedophiles to foul language on rock to sex to t.v. news, to taxes, to Hillary Clinton and her alleged aspirations etc) are nicely outlined and it's clear he did lots of research. Indeed, O'Reilly seems to be one talk show host who would probably not be offended if you did careful research and came to some informed no-spin conclusions of your own.
Rating: 
Summary: A Fan Says: Don't Bother
Review: I was a rather disappointed with _The No Spin Zone_. As a fan of The O'Reilly Factor for the past few years, most of the interviews and issues were old hat to me. (In contrast, O'Reilly's earlier book, the semi-memoir _The O'Reilly Factor_, was a far more fascinating read.) Both O'Reilly's greatest faults and strengths shine though in this new book. His anti-conceptualism is apparent in his contradictory ideas, like his stance on drugs versus alcohol. But the honesty, forthrightness, and dogged pursuit of the truth that make his show worth watching are also evident. So here's my advice: For those who are already failiar with O'Reilly's show, don't bother with this book. For those that are not, don't bother with this book either -- but do check out his show instead.
Rating:
Summary: Spin? What spin?
Review: So you're flipping through the many channels on your television.... Simpsons? No, saw that. How about a nice dose of four bad-mouthed, dirty third graders living in a strange town called South Park? Nah, saw that one too. Then you come upon a middle-aged, very opinionated man on "the network America trusts." Who is it? you ask yourself. If you don't know, you are probably still waiting to discover who won World War II and why Mr. Clinton was nearly impeached. If you are still wondering, it is the famous Bill O'Reilly of Fox News. Brilliant and an impeccable journalist, Mr. O'Reilly brings the latest, that most channels don't bring for another month. His book, the one I am writing about, is just as good, if not better than his show. No commercial breaks and all the time to get across the point as you could possibly imagine. If you are a fan of O'Reilly, I am sure you know what I mean. Then again if you aren't, I can understand why you are scoffing at your computer screen. Give him a chance, you may not agree with everything in this book, I don't know if anyone does, but at least take the time to hear his ideas. They are definitely worth listening to. I hold him to a great respect for all his hard work, and I am sure you would too after reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Spin-off
Review: Before I tell you why I dislike this book, let me set the record straight that I am a big fan of Bill O'Reilly. I like his straight forward honesty and "No BS" attitude on his TV show. Bill's antifans might think of him as the devil incarnate (ie, a conservative), but this book does not prove that. Instead, it shows that Bill is confident in his popularity, but while his best gift is to cut through others' BS, perhaps his worst gift is expressing himself. "The No-Spin Zone" is a book that is supposed to capture the essense of Bill's show, the O'Reilly Factor. On it, Bill cuts through the media "Spins" that so many of his guests thrive on, and attempts to get to the heart of each issue. Some guest flounder, some thrive. Unfortunately, O'Reilly doesn't follow this theme in this book. Each chapter discusses a specific (or not so specific) current issue, like parenting or rap stars, and the interviews only make up a tiny, tiny part. Of 20 pages, the interviews take up 1/2 a page, at most! Thus, O'Reilly's greatest, most popular skills are muted in this book. The vast "meat" of Bill's writing here are stories of his life, explaining (or confusing) his ethical beliefs and his upbringing. Bill gives a very honest "This is my roots, this is where I came from" kind of approach. Hopefully you will understand what he believes in through his stories. While this approach is genuine, it is also misguided. In the few moments where I disagreed with Bill on an issue, I discovered that he does a terrible job of explaining himself. Bill simply assumes that his reader believes what he believes, that all "average" americans agree with him. Much of Bill's ethics are assumed, they are this way because, well, "because"! I was suddenly aware of why many people dislike Bill: for a liberal who is exploring what they believe is the right thing, O'Reilly comes off as arrogant and uncompromising. I am very conservative, but I prefer my politics with some intelligence, not heavy-handedness. Bill, more transcriptions of your interviews, and less stories, please. If you want a book which properly explores "Spinning", check out Bill Press's "Spin This!", a blatantly liberal book that screams "There is no media bias!" will it digs itself into that very hole deeper and deeper. Only goes to show, the best lie-detector is a lier themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Only for those willing to think!
Review: This book is only for the intelligent and educated. He is extremely articulate and insightful. You may not agree with all he has to say, but O'Reilly will get you to think. If you are not afraid to learn about many different issues, this is the book for you. Any bad reviews on this book are most likely by biased individuals afraid of the truth.
Rating:
Summary: Right On O'Reilly
Review: A man of many words Bill O'Reilly's second book is a tour de force and is right up there with his best selling: The O'Reilly Factor. In this book he reprints transcript from his show of various guests from his Fox News show. Most of these are very entertaining. Hilights include George W. Bush, Al Sharpton and a recount of his days covering news in Central America and Argentina. His tales about those days are truly harrowing. Although a quick read, its makes you think on a variety of issues and is incredibly fair!
Rating: 
Summary: Media Man with a 'Tude
Review: Bill O'Reilly is a definite personality, and it shows in his book, The No-Spin Zone. Along with his commentary on issues such as free speech, education, politics, and taxes, are the transcribed versions of his interviews with the famous and well known of America. I was surprised to find out that President Bush had interviewed with him during his campaign. No, I haven't seen many of The No-Spin Zone programs. In that interview, O'Reilly confronted Bush about his position on the death penalty, explaining ahead of time that politicians are given rehearsed answers to the most frequently asked questions. Bush was thrown off, thereby giving an honest answer instead of a rehearsed one. Then O'Reilly gives his opinion of the death penalty, suggesting that we send prisoners to an isolated facility in the Yukon for the rest of their lives with no cable, but a radio. He feels that this is a better deterrant than what we have now. It made me think.
For those who refused to interview with him, he attacked, albiet professionally. Jesse Jackson and Hillary Clinton were his favorite targets, along with Janet Reno. He gives us the real spin on what the government does with our tax dollars. It's enough to elevate your blood pressure. The politicians who did show up tried to dodge the questions and failed.
Then there is CBS and the media. O'Reilly does not like CBS due to their politics and methods of censorship. They didn't like him because of his brazen, no-nonsense style of reporting. Ah, well. He has his own show now. But he does give us a clear picture of how the media distorts the truth.
I enjoyed The No-Spin Zone on several levels. It was short and easy to read. His insights made me think. Sometimes I got angry or disgusted, especially where our taxes are concerned. Sometimes, I felt like he was trying to stab at the people he didn't like. He's got an attitude, but at least he's honest.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable issues -- in an iffy format
Review: This audiobook did set up some exciting issues and personalities... however, I was disappointed to learn that instead of featuring actual audio clips of the original interviews, all guest quotes were read by O'Reilly himself. Forgive me for saying so, but I suspect the quotes from Puff Daddy, Dr. Laura and the like perhaps lost something in the translation to O'Reilly's bemused but determined tones. This format also makes it hard to tell what's an actual source quote and what's O'Reilly's paraphrase. And no matter who's being quoted, it seems that O'Reilly always gets the last word. I'm sure he would say that if someone wants the last word, they should get their own audiobook, but he just comes across as smug and overly triumphant -- a shame when most of these conversations end in such calm, cool moral and intellectual victories for O'Reilly. While I generally enjoy hearing non-fiction audiobooks read by the author, I believe this book might have been one better experienced in print form. It would probably be more enjoyable imagining the different voices than hearing O'Reilly debating these pithy issues with *himself*. As it is, it tends to become one-sided and pointless after a while.
Rating:
Summary: No value for your dollar here.
Review: While I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Factor', I was really disappointed by 'The No Spin Zone'. As a regular viewer of 'The Factor' on Fox News Channel, I found I was simply reading transcripts of O'Reilly's show, with a few of his additional opinions sprinkled in. For the money, I'd have rather gone out for a lobster dinner. It would have been far more satisfying.
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