Rating:  Summary: Liberals need not apply Review: This is a book about the thoughts of Bill O'Reilly and it's very entertaining especially what he thinks about celebs.This book may bring up the irish on liberals who think O'Reilly should lose his right of free speech but his thoughts are clear and well drawn out. If liberals hate the book, then it's worth buying!
Rating:  Summary: OK...So Bill is crotchety Review: What an excellent compliment to his TV show. If you love 'The Factor', you will appreciate this book too. Bill keeps the book light enough for children to read, and also gives some folks their first lesson on why Jesse Jackson is the most corrupt politician in America.
Rating:  Summary: MDS Review: He's not a conservative. The only reason he seems like one is because he's an independent that does what's right for man kind. He's compassionate, and not braindead like most politicians, mediamen, and bureaucrats.
Rating:  Summary: Honest & To The Point Review: Like many people, my very first impression of Bill O'Reilly was that of an arrogant, obnoxious madman. Yet, like many others, I came to like the man for his balanced reporting, always giving both sides of any issue the chance to voice their opinions. In addition, I highly respect O'Reilly for reading a selection of emails at the end of every show that both praise and ridicule him. His book, "The O'Reilly Factor," is neatly divided into twenty chapters in which O'Reilly "factors in" on a number of different topics. Most of the book is made up of his opinions on these topics with a few statistical notes to try to back up his theories. Yet, the book is also a mini-autobiography in which we learn a little about O'Reilly's experiences growing up in Levittown, NY, dating, in college, and making his way through the media business. I found some of his theories to be a little off the wall, but still it was interesting to read his take on some of the issues in America. In particularly, I found his take on handling the drug problem to be enlightening. His idea of severer punishments for drug users as a way to cripple the business of the dealers for good is one that I think should be seriously considered and pursued. Another of my favorite chapters was that on parenting, in which he talks about the lack of discipline of children today and its eventual consequences with some suggestions on how to counteract this problem. Finally, I think every American should take a serious look what O'Reilly writes about politics and the importance of voting and staying up to date with what is going on in our cities/towns and nation. I am glad there is finally someone out there like Bill O'Reilly who is willing to lay his true opinions and beliefs on the line. He does not pander to the whims of others as if trying to win a popularity contest. I got this impression of him from his TV program, but definitely in the book "The O'Reilly Factor" one gets a better sense of the man. And I honestly believe he is a good guy trying to right some of the wrongs in our world.
Rating:  Summary: Fast-moving, fun, informative, provocative....like O'Reilly Review: Now that he has launched a major talk radio show, with one of the biggest rollouts in radio history, more people are going to wonder about Bill O'Reilly -- who he is and what he really thinks. The O'Reilly Factor is a perfect place to start. In 214-fast-moving pages O'Reilly produces a fast-paced collection of commentaries on everything from politics to family, money, friendship, sex, media, drugs,(often ludicrous) celebrities -- and more. What seemingly sets O'Reilly apart in his commentaries on Fox News and his shows is that although he's coming from somewhere politically, he will to look at gray areas in often black and white issues...and even concede a few points to those who disagree with him. No where is this more apparent than in this collection of commentaries artfully organized with bold-faced headers like "THIS JUST IN," or "RIDICULOUS NOTE," or "BULLETIN." As in his Fox News Special on the media and America's children, O'Reilly masterfully uses media and artfully presents his material. This book is so conversational it's like you're listening to O'Reilly in his home or watching his show. O'Reilly mixes facts with some bluntly-written opinion, but clearly tries to make his case and win over the reader, rather than just state it. But aside from the specific issues, I loved this book because of the way he weaves in autobiographical material about his childhood -- and about the snakepit he found himself working in when he became a reporter. In his account, he was idealistic and clearly naive and walked straight into office political buzzsaws while working as an Emmy-winning newsman for various networks. My favorite chapter (which you don't usually see mentioned in a review): His chapter on the importance of cultivating and maintaining friendships. He says what some people don't want to say: friendship is a TWO WAY street which means being there for your friend and returning phone calls QUICKLY. "Some of my old friends wouldn't make the time to keep our friendship alive, and they drifted away," he writes. "I miss them, even though I'm annoyed by their stupidity." More than his other book, The No Spin Zone, in The O'Reilly Factor you get vital -- and fascinating -- glimpses into who Bill O'Reilly IS and what makes him tick. In my case, I truly liked what I found and enjoyed every minute of the discovery.
Rating:  Summary: What to O'Reilly, GW Bush, Perot , and Rush Limbaugh. . . Review: and others like them have in common? They all think with a few simple moral axioms they can seperate "right" from "wrong" and create a logically consistent world-view. Basically they believe that the complexity that exists in the world is acutally an illusion of complex thinking. If we simplify our analysis of world events and domestic policy issues, the problems themselves will become more managable and the answers to them will be easier to grasp (and implement). Or maybe they know better, but realize that there is a market for easy answers. Are you buying?
Rating:  Summary: Interesting Opinions Review: O'Reilly breaches subjects many people are afraid to write about. His chapter on class discrimination is of particular interest. His book only gets 4 stars because of the lack of a chapter on education. He skims the education card lightly in his other chapters. I would have liked to have seen a whole chapter devoted to this important subject. I agree with most of his opinions.
Rating:  Summary: SURPRISINGLY BAD Review: Although Bill O'Reilly seems to be a decent individual, I was thoroughly disappointed with this book. Most surprising is that Bill O'Reilly could have gotten as far as he did in the journalism business while being such an aweful writer. I try to finished every book I start even if it's not all that enjoyable to read, especially if I'm going to criticize it later. But I've read several different books by political writers all over the spectrum, and Bill O'Reilly's book is by far the least enjoyable to read and certainly among the least inciteful or profound. An alternative title for this book could be 'A List of Bill O'Reilly's Opinions Excluding Any Significant Analysis or Reasoning'. This was a BORING, UNENJOYABLE book. If you feel you must buy this book because it is too important not to read you're mistaken as I was, but buy a used copy so you can save a buck. Whatever you spend it's too much!
Rating:  Summary: WOW Sums up American Society Review: The book was very interesting. I read it pretty much in one sitting and it talks about everything in society. He breaks it up in different categories such as class, media, race, dating, etc. The book was funny and made me think a lot and for the fans of the show I think they will love it.
Rating:  Summary: Very enjoyable Review: Before reading a Playboy interview with Mr. O'Reilly, I was under the impression he was just a crazed right-wing nut hosting a propaganda show to spout slanted "news". However, his interview impressed me enough to buy this book. I'm glad I did. Although I don't agree with all of his views, his writing style is excellent, and I found that I couldn't wait to hear what he thought about different topics on American life today (each chapter of the book looks at a different issue in America). His honesty is very refreshing.
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