Rating:  Summary: Love O'Reilly, didn't like the book Review: I like Bill O'Reilly and used to watch his show regularly. I admire his toughness and drive, and so I immediately bought this book when it was first released. On the positive side, I enjoyed learning more about his background and early life. However, the writing style is quite irritating. After putting the book aside for quite a few months, I finally forced myself to finish it. I agree with much of what he has to say, but the book was simply poorly written. He has attempted to take what works well on his TV show and transfer it directly to print. His narrative is frequently interrupted with asides that he labels with "this just in" or other tag lines from his show. Unfortunately, these asides interrupt the flow of and ultimately weaken his argument. The topics he takes on and his opinions are familiar to viewers, but really don't flow together well. He also has a rather bizarre section at the end listing Hollywood performers and movies that we really likes. O'Reilly, you're not a movie critic, stick to what you do best: grill crooked politicians. Also, I understand that this book primarily represents his opinions, and is not meant as an academic argument, but the lack of sources and citations is a bit problematic. Overall, a disappointment.
Rating:  Summary: The Control Freak Factor Review: People are not allowed to spin but O'Reilly is allowed. People are not allowed to omit truth but O'Reilly is allowed. People are not allowed to beat up other people but O'Reilly is allowed. People are not allowed to have selective memory but O'Reilly is allowed. People are not allowed to preach their philosophies but O'Reilly is allowed.
Rating:  Summary: Overly Pedantic Review: Bill O'Reilly is terrific as the host of the O'Reilly Factor. He's a good interviewer who doesn't suffer fools gladly or put up with prevarication. This book, however, is something of a let down. Sure, there are a few sections where he recounts interview segments and/or comments on celebrities or politicians, but for the most part this book is filled with antecdotes from Bill's life and his alternately witty/smug observations. These could be interesting but they're smothered by his tendency (at least in this book) to talk down to the reader. Overall, the book is an easy read, somewhat amusing, occasionally insightful, and entirely preachy. If you like that kind of thing, check it out. It was too much for me or too little.
Rating:  Summary: IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WE WAKE UP... Review: Bill O'Reilly isn't a genious, but he has truth in his words. I actutally find him quite humorous and witty. However, there have been many men before him that have come forth to complain about how the world is. The world has been this way for a very long time Bill. Basically in the book, Bill O'Reilly takes negative personality flaws among the famous and puts them under a microscope to scrutinize. Interestingly, I think we are all hyprocites to a certain degree. I mean no one is perfect! Bill Clinton was caught having an affair with Monica Lewinsky, Nixon was involved in Watergate, celebrities caught with prostitutes. Bill O'Reilly condemns these "powerful people" for their negative qualities. For example, O'Reilly feels that certain actors are rude, poor role models, drug addicts or don't belong to a certain social class that deems respectable. If you think the world is full of hyprocrites, mental cases, drug addicts, lousy role models, and corrupt politicians....remember we put them there. Todd
Rating:  Summary: Stick to TV Review: O'Reilly is entertaining on TV, but when you take away his interrupting privileges, he doesn't have as much to say as I had hoped. I read this book expecting Bill to expand upon the views he mentions on TV (Jesse Jackson, Hilary Clinton, etc.). I figured the television format just didn't give him enough time to articulate about these issues, and that the book would give him the time he needs to present a detailed argument. Bill doesn't even mention these issues till the last few chapters of the book, at which point he barely glosses over them. The bulk of the book consists of Bill telling the reader how to raise children and interact with friends. Bill really doesn't tackle any issues in this book. He's more interested in having a Hallmark moment with the reader. Despite my disappointment with the book, I will still enjoy watching Bill get into a good shouting match with Neil Cavuto.
Rating:  Summary: Very little of this is worth your time Review: I find it hard to believe that so many copies of this book have sold. Perhaps it is because of Bill O'Reilly's successful show. In any event, unlike the show, I found this book slow and not worth the read. The book is basically O'Reilly's take on everything in life, from relationships to marriage to religion and the book is divided up into twenty chapters entitled "The _________ Factor." How clever of O'Reilly to use a play on words from his cable television show's title! Now I get to read about "The Family Factor." The major problem that I have with this book is that it is solely written as O'Reilly's opinion. Sure, every now and then he throws in a statistic, but that is not too often. There is nothing wrong in writing a book that voices your opinion, but at least throw some bones out there every now and then. It seems that O'Reilly set out to write a book that outlines his views about everything. It's not that I disagree with him, because most issues I agreed. But it's just boring reading! There is truly no meat to his opinions. Throughout the book, "Ridiculous Notes" are weaved in and out; these notes usually were completely pointless or irrelevant. Although I have lambasted the work thus far, I did give it two stars, so here are the parts worth reading about: In "The Class Factor," O'Reilly asserts that class is not about race like Jesse Jackson is always yelling, but about money. The discussion that follows on this topic is good. "The Money Factor" outlines basic principles about money. In brief, they are: money doesn't buy love or happiness, the commercials lie, we need to set a good example for our children, and don't forget that most of us had to be taught to share with others. The final installation that I found worthwhile dealt with the drug problem. O'Reilly says that laws should be vigorously enforced in this area, and actually goes into some detail on what should be done to help the problem. The required drug rehabilitation program that the state of Alabama uses is discussed in depth, and it is truly a novel idea. In short, I do not highly recommend this book, as there is much better commentary reading out there.
Rating:  Summary: Entertaining and Insightful Review: I enjoyed the book very much. It was fast moving, thought provoking and funny. He takes alot of people to task like politicans and celebrities and that's refreshing. I agree with almost everything he has says except his view on abortion. I can't wait to read The No Spin Zone. Keep up the good reporting Bill.
Rating:  Summary: O'reilly meets Ann Landers Review: I really like the O'Reilly Factor on Fox News, but this book was a disappointment. It's basically a biography mixed with an advice column, with little bit of refreshing political and social commentary mixed in. I guess I just don't care what O'Reilly's favorite movies are, or how he can only watch 20 seconds of howler monkeys on TV. It had a few good chapters, though, and it's cool that he signed the book. I'll just watch his show, though, next time.
Rating:  Summary: For a select few Review: Let me say right off the bat that this book is defanitly not for everyone. If you can't stand Bill O'Reilly on TV, save your money. Mr. O'Reilly's book gives a very detaliled description of what he thinks is wrong with our country. He goes into depth about his childhood, and how parents and the schools are failing. He also discusses other topics ranging from criminal justice, to good things in our country. The only thing I didn't like about the book, is his talk-down writing style. Like I said above, if you con't stand him on TV don't get the book.
Rating:  Summary: Great God, I Agree With Him! Review: I picked up this book ready to be mocked and offended on each page. Instead, I was exposed to one simple and blatantly told truth right after the other. This is the kinda guy I'd like to sit down with for a cup of coffee! His views on sex, celebrities, politics, religion, etc., are indispensable revelations which appeal even to one's funny bone. This is not a book though, for either liberal nor far-right conservatives. O'Reilly tells it like it is, and does so in a critical manner which will push the buttons of zealots from both these groups. Nonetheless, buy, read, and enjoy!
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