Rating:  Summary: Some Redeeming Entertainment Value Review: The reason I gave the book 2 stars instead of one is because it does offer some entertainment value. Most of it came from laughing each time Franken's supposed evidence vs. Ann Coulter or some other conservative crumbled in the face of a little fact checking. Case in point: Franken is 100% wrong on the Even/Norman Thomas issue. Coulter said Norman Thomas was the GRANDfather of Evan and indeed he is. In fact all of the 'evidence' Franken, and his crack team of Harvard self-admitted activists, presented in his attack on Coulter's "Slander" was either dead wrong or just a product of his inability to take a joke or understand sarcasm, irony, and hyperbole. And Al Franken is a comedian? I suppose he is but only if you consider a Circus clown a comedian since I find myself laughing at them in much the same way.
Rating:  Summary: Al is Ann Review: The reason that Al Franken and Ann Coulter despise each other so, is because they are the same. They both are both passionate, well-educated, and artiuclate. In addition, they are both egotistical, whiny, and blame everyone else for thier unhappiness. They lie on opposite sides of the political arena. When you read this book or Slander, remember that they are BOTH giving you their side and only their side of the story. I gave this book 3 stars just like I gave Slander 3 stars. It's the same book.
Rating:  Summary: Actually, it's well done. But it gets too nasty. Review: The research is actually well-done, and it's well-written. And it's even funny. And despite what some reviewers insist below, it IS rather accurate in what it presents. My only hesitation with this book, and what cost it a star, is that Franken goes too far in the nasty, spiteful language he uses about his adversaries. It's easy to convince me that people like Coulter are mean whackos, or that O'Reilley is a verbal bully, but that point loses its edge when the author then shoots similar barbs, himself.
Rating:  Summary: The right (wrong) has been exposed and they know it... Review: The right (wrong) has been exposed and they know it, as exampled by their furious comments on this book. If this book was nothing but fluff, why even comment on it? They are commenting on it for it exposes their lies and manipulations. Why has Al Franken not been sued for this book? - Because its the truth. You see, Al actually backs up his comments with research (which is something I hope the general population would do more of). He doesn't just spew quotes, and thought, and beLIEfs, he presents his point and then has facts and research to back it up. - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Rating:  Summary: WOW! BRILLIANT! Review: The right's reliance on lies and distortions has been laid bare, and plainly documented. This book is delicious. Ann Coulter has been squashed like a bug. Sean Hannity's plastic hair has been melted to reveal an abject distortionist. The "liberal media" myth has been destroyed, along with the "blame America first" canard. The "Al Gore is a compulsive liar" fabrication has been laid to complete waste. In contrast to Gore, George W. Bush's REAL lies about his past are revealed. Oh, and I'm only on page 48. I haven't gotten to the Bill O'Reilly section yet. Can't wait. Another excellent and FACTUAL book by Al Franken.
Rating:  Summary: This is Great! Review: The right-wing ideologues have gone unchallenged for far too long. Franken responds to their pompous prattle in a way which is both intelligent and witty. Unfortunately, that means most of them won't get it!
Rating:  Summary: a Republican loved this book Review: The right-wing media have done such a job hoodwinking gullible people all over America that books are one of the last places where liberal views can be presented without distortion. Franken beatifully dissects the lies and malicious, warped personalities of just a few of the many crazy right-wing pundits using something many might find an amazing new invention: FACTS. When I picked up this book, I didn't want yet another partisan rant. I wanted real information. Franken delivers it in spades. Thank God somebody wrote this. Our national debate needs it, and voices like it.
Rating:  Summary: Its time we relegate FOX news back to obscurity Review: The Rush Limbaugh book was a screamer and this is just as good. As for Fox news, I'd rather watch Jefferson reruns. They are far more informative.
Rating:  Summary: a race for the top spot Review: The sad part is Frankin didnt bother to research this himself, had to rely on the Harvard student body (which doesnt say much for them). He spends a chapter on how Bill O'Reilly mistook a Poke for a Peabody award several years back and you cant help to think with O'Reilly being on the news and all over the media if thats the best he could come up with. That like saying you went to McDonalds for lunch and someone finding out you were at Burger King insted. This book was a waste of alot of good trees.
Rating:  Summary: The Scientific Method- With Humor! Review: The scientific method has been a part of western civilization since the renaissance. In a nutshell, you propose a hypothesis, then use a logical process to test the hypothesis. True believers of various persuasions often oppose this process, much as the Office of the Holy Inquisition opposed it, because there is the possibility that certain faith based statements of "fact" may be refuted by "evidence." Here, various misleading statements, illogical conclusions, and outright lies are put to the test by gathering evidence to prove them true or false. Yes, the results are transmitted to us in a humorous way, but that in no way detracts from the factual basis of the book. The facts are the facts and are subject to verification. Certain people aligned politically with the liars Franken takes on accuse him of being mean spirited, and even of lying himself. The latter is a grave accusation. Fortunately, that is not simply an opinion, it is also subject to verification. If they are correct in saying Franken is not telling us the truth in this book, they should be able to back that statement up with verifiable evidence. No such evidence has been produced so far. In other words, if your calling someone a liar, you had better put up or shut up. Here, Franken has put up. His detractors have not.
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