Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Franken scores a bull's eye.
Review: RUSH LIMBAUGH IS A BIG FAT IDIOT is a near-masterpiece. I say this because it's as likely to throw conservatives into an anger tantrum as it is to put Franken's fellow liberals in stiches. Several parts in this books are destined to become classics. Take for instance, the simulated conversation between Al and Rush, or the dream sequence in which Limbaugh, Phil Gramm, Newt Gingrich, Dan Quayle, Pat Buchanan, and Clarence Thomas are forced under the leadership of Sgt. Oliver North in Vietnam. Franken doesn't just skewer Limbaugh, he MURDERS him in a barrage of jokes about his failed marriages, his forced unemployment, and of course, his weight (he says that Limbaugh could have skipped unemployment and gotten a job "as ballast on a barge traveling down the Missouri River."). Franken doesn't stop there and skewers other (in)famous politicians such as Pat Buchanan, Phil Gramm, Pat Robertson, and of course Newt Gingrich, all with convincing proof and such a scathing tone that he must have gotten death threats from supporters of the men he trashed. In my copy, there is a review of the book written in January 1996 by former UN Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick which is hilariously inept and unfair and shows not-so-subtly that she does not even begin to comprehend the intention of Franken's book. Then again, she was the former lover of Al, so the review was obviously intentionally written, ignoring the policy against such a practice, so Franken's book would not sell (and for revenge against him). Franken's, the editor's, and her own letters are shown in the book, which unintentionally make Ms. Kirkpatrick seem like an immature, .... The only reason that this book does not get five stars is that the years have not treated it kindly. The 1996 presidential election hadn't taken place yet, and Rush Limbaugh has lost a considerable amount of weight since then, probably because he read this book. But for anybody looking for great political satire (that's not conservative) will need to read this.
Rating: 
Summary: Thumbs Down
Review: being a life-long liberal, I find this book an embarassment.
Rating: 
Summary: This Book is a Big Fat Laugh Riot!
Review: You don't have to be "Liberal" to read this book, or to love it. This is political satire at its very best. There is no question that Al Franken is one of the funniest men alive, and this book proves it. Any open minded person, liberal or conservative, should be able to read "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot: And Other Observations" and appreciate both the humor, and the very real and serious point that is made about hypocrisy. No, it's not going to please everybody. I imagine true "Ditto-heads" will forever be wishing that this book had never been published. The book is a brisk and hilarious read. I wasn't able to put it down, quite literally. And months after I first read it I still find myself flipping through it every few days, picking out my favorite parts, re-reading them, and laughing all over again. Definitely puts a smile on my face.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read
Review: As my first Franken book this did not disapoint. Franken is both hilarious and well informed. He covers many different topics and many different politicians in this book. It is great to finally find a comedian who knows about politics. I was also pleased Franken was willing to express his views against both republicans and obesity.
Rating:
Summary: There is no denying, this is a great book
Review: I have to disagree with a lot of the 1 stars and question their motivations. The fact is:
1) This book is very funny
2) This book tears Rush Limbaugh apart for (among other things) being a hypocrite of monumental proportions. If you are looking for something that is easy to read and will make you laugh all the way through, this is it. If you are looking for something to reinforce your idea of Rush Limbaugh as a brilliant man and political thinker, this will not help.
Rating:
Summary: Why Can't All Liberals Be This Funny?
Review: Think of all those liberal talking heads out there. Dan Rather. Peter Jennings. Jesse Jackson. Eleanor Clift. Mario Cuomo. Charlie Rangle. Hillary Rodham. They're all about as funny as a root canal. Thank goodness Al Franken is on the left side of the fence. Franken is a genuinely funny writer who is a welcome respite from the otherwise overwhelming sea of liberal vinegar faces who only open their mouths to whine, vent, accuse, and obfuscate. Franken's book, RUSH LIMBAUGH IS A BIG FAT IDIOT: AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS, is witty and funny because he plays Limbaugh's game: establish your position through humor and satire. This book is a quick, entertaining read, sprinkled with deliciously wicked little barbs and jabs. Some of the author's rebuttals of Limbaugh's statements and beliefs are less than sincere and well-reasoned, but come on, this is satire, not rocket science. Franken pushes the envelope just as effectively as Limbaugh's railing against "femi-nazis" and "environmentalist whackos." He gives conservative satirists a taste of their own medicine, and manages to generate some laughs in the process. As a conservative, I appreciate good humor and satire, regardless of its political slant. RUSH LIMBAUGH IS A BIG FAT IDIOT: AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS is darn good satire. To my fellow conservatives who are offended by this book, I say: lighten up. If we can't laugh at ourselves, how are we going to laugh at those zany liberals?
--D. Mikels
Rating:
Summary: Franken proves to be incredible political comic
Review: First and foremost, Franken's book is hilarious because of his wit and sarcasm. Furthermore, it inflicts legitimate blows on loudmouth conservatives of the 1990's, including Limbaugh, Gingrich, Phil Gramm, Dick Armey. He degradingly paints a portrait of Limbaugh that is disgusting, hipocritical, and obnoxious, yet truly deserving of such criticism at the time. You can just tell how much he enjoyed writing this book. Franken is smart and funny in just about every appearance I have seen him. However, his later book, WHY NOT ME?, is not recommended because it is not based on the unrelenting criticism of another human being. He loses some of his flair. But if you have an interest in politics, this book, although several years old, is fresh and funny. The Clinton years made up an exciting political era that is captured in this bash-for-all.
Rating:
Summary: Simply put, simply hilarious
Review: ... Why would you read a book call "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot", if you're a Limbaugh fan?! C'mon people, THINK(and as stated in one of the reviews, I hardly believe that Limbaugh teaches anyone to think freely)! Well anywho, this book was hilarious! You hate Plush, I mean Rush Limbaugh like I do? Read it and laugh aloud.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, funny, funny
Review: Hilarious and very affirming, as Stuart might say, if you are like-minded politically.
Rating:
Summary: Liberal author attempts to discredit Limbaugh
Review: Okay, first of all it seems that Democrats are getting angrier and angrier that they cannot possibly find a liberal equal to the conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh. Instead of making observations that have any sane foundation, Al Franken instead resorts to a kindergarden mentality of simply calling names i.e. the book's title "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot." Give it up, this book is simply a stale attempt to descredit a man who has actually earned the right to comment on political events. If you want to read a kindergardener's name calling masterpiece, read this book. If you want to learn and think for yourself, listen to Limbaugh.
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