Rating: 
Summary: Tales from the Left Coast
Review: Not a lot new here but it was fun to read. This book says a lot of all we knew before but had not been documented with such good humor and straight from the shoulder punch.
Not recommended for the faint of heart. It shatters the image of many of our heros that we love to see on the screen. Just makes the point, they have great talent as performers but listen to them on serious subjects at your own risk. Much wiser to stick to their day job.
Rating:
Summary: Humor, politics and entertainment--a great mix
Review: Don't expect ET, Extra, Access or those so called "Info-tainment" shows to talk about this book. Hirsen combines the right mix, along with edgy humor ala Bill McCuddy of Fox News. If they do, expect the liberals who run the media to rail him just like the reviewers who belittle this book!This should be a part of a college media studies or politics program. Those who do filmmaking or entertainment may want to avoid this unless they're willing to be patriots like Irving Berlin.
Rating: 
Summary: Funny
Review: To look at this book in a non partisan way, it's funny. I, as a liberal was even laughing at the sarcasm. Hirsen is like the Al Franken or Michael Moore for converatives.
Hirsen also has some hypocrisy. He bashes celebrities for speaken against President Bush, all well Hirsen speaks badly against Clinton. He also bashes People like Franken and Moore for doing what he does. My real question is when will the "Tales from the Right coast" come out and will it be the size of a childrens' book?
Rating:
Summary: Funny and tragic
Review: Some years ago I remember a distinguished actor of the old school- I don't remember who, specifically- said that actors come in two varieties: Those who see it as a craft, and those who see it as a calling. The first group approach it lke any other craft, something to be honed through work and study. The second group see it as a gift bestowed on them by chance and practiced through intuition, and this view tends to extend to other aspects of the world as well. Not having ever had to work or think to attain their lofty position, they tend to approach everything intuitively. And so the people of Hollywood judge the word the way they judge each other- by appearance and other superficial measures. How else to explain Sean Penn presenting hiumself as an international diplomat- and the news media actually taking him seriously? JFK is still considered a saint in Hollywood, more for his boyish good looks than for anything else. Bill Clinton was a hero for his purported support of gays, even as he abandoned them when it came time to take a stand. Noam Chomsky is worshipped by people in show business who've never read a single book on economics or politics because he makes the right kind of overarching judgements. Hirsen is a bit strident at times, but overall this is still a fun read- until you realize how much influence Hollywood has on the decisions people make. Then it's just a little tragic, too.
Rating:
Summary: Solid reports
Review: I thought this book was excellent. Very good reporting on the true beliefs of these celebrities, and their undoubtable angst for the government that leads us.
Don't pay attention to the angry reviewer who brings David Brock(!?) into his argument. Brock's self-obsessed writings (...an ex-conservative) are as narcisistic as the celebrities described in "Tales from the Left Coast". I just hope one day these people realize that this earth revolves around the sun...not them.
Rating: 
Summary: And The Point Is?????
Review: This book states that most of Hollywood's celebrities are liberals. Most of them would not argue the point. A worthwhile examination of the "Left Coast" would ask first if the political philosophy of an actor really matters, and secondly (and more broadly) if Hollywood influences society or merely reflects it. Such a book would be interesting and enlightening. Tales from the Left Coast is neither. Even if we ignore the simplistic writing and clumsy editing, the book is disappointing because it is merely a catalogue of positions and sillinesses taken by some celebrities. The point of this escapes me. I, and I suspect most Americans agree, am not particularly impressed by political statements, be they left or right, made by movie and television stars. Most of them are reasonably attractive people with at least some talent, and if I am pleased with them I watch their movies and programs. When I think about politics I read and study and make up my own mind. Therefore I feel that Tales from the Left Coast deserves to be taken just as seriously, and has just as much point, as the latest political statement of the most recent mega star.
Rating:
Summary: Sadly Disappointed
Review: I really thought I'd love this book, but I was disappointed. I agree with Hirsen's general ideas and love reading him on NewsMax, but this book is a bit slipshod and he's not very funny. I'm afraid Dr. Hirsen just isn't that great a writer. And the material has such potential - he could have really lampooned these people and made it entertaining, but instead it sounds like he just knocked out a first draft and they went ahead and published it "as is." Some creative research and more critical thinking could have made this a killer but alas, it's not. Also has some dumb errors, like misspelling the venerable PR Firm Rogers and Cowan as Rogers and Kowan! Just disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: This book was horrid.
Review: I was given this book by a friend. I can only assume they thought it would amuse me. I have never read such poor writing ever. Run-on sentences, misused words, incorrect punctuation...to name a few. Did anyone with a high school diploma edit this book? The premise is also somewhat amusing considering Californians are clamoring for a Terminator as Republican run at the Governorship. I can only hope this review helps one person not read this abomination. I would suggest reading the Enquirer before this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Hooray for Hollywood!
Review: Ladies and gentlemen James Hirsen ( political commentator and frequent guest on Fox News ) and those Far-Right madcaps over at the untra-conservative website Newsmax have a breaking news story. After months of exhaustive research and tireless effort the story, incredible as it may seem, simply put is....HOLLYWOOD IS FULL OF LIBERALS WHO HATE OUR COUNTRY! Wow I had no idea! Yes, sad but true, the folks over on the 'left coast' ( the boys at Newsmax must have been up at night thinking up that pun ) are out to ruin our country with their liberal/leftist leanings and shove Marxism down this country's collective throats. Yes, that elitist ( a favorite word when describing Liberals in this country ) bunch of know-it-alls from California who actually have the temerity to voice their opinions...especially when it doesn't agree with our current Presidents strategy. The nerve! Fortunately, for the small cost of this book, Newsmax and Mr. Hirsen will be more then happy to enlighten you as to this ongoing crisis and help in your search for the 'right' path. Imagine my shock and dismay to read how so many of this country's favorite entertainers are, no doubt at this very moment, plotting to overthrow our very way of life by frequenting those trendy Rodeo Dr. restaurants ( all the while drinking French mineral water! ) and spouting liberal thoughts such as the right to free speech. Yes, they're all here in " Tales From the Left Coast "....beginning with Uber-Liberal Barbra Streisand ( Conservatives favorite whipping girl ), Susan Sarandon and hubby Tim Robbins ( two Hollywood malcontents who Conservatives wish would just shut-up and stick to films ) and of course those perennial Conservative favorites.... Bill and Hillary! Those wacky Democrats who Conservatives just love to hate. ( one would have thought be now that all these vitrolic feelings may have subsided but those loonies on the Right just can't get enough of our ex-President and Mrs. Clinton ) Yes, according to "Tales From the Left Coast " those Hollywood liberals ( and the liberal media too, of course ) are responsible for much thats wrong in this God-fearing country and they need to be taken to task for their own good. I mean, free speech is only good as long as we all agree with whatever those fun-loving Conservatives may have us believe. Right? Well, after having the veil lifted from my eyes I am going to proceed to bone up on my Conservative mantra by listening to Rush and Sean Hannity and of course the Rights favorite mini-skirted pit-bull Ann Coulter. And of course throw out my library of Babs cd's! ( that really hurt but I can't take any chances of being re-indoctrianted to the Left ). Yes, the Far-Right may be, in the words of David Brock, " a little bit nutty, a little bit slutty " but it beats having to think for myself.
Rating:
Summary: Intellectual honesty.
Review: Can we all agree that it is intellectually dishonest to give a negative review to a book that one has not read? If this describes you, did it ever occur to you what it means to assault something you know nothing about or to attempt to censor something one hasn't ever read? Isn't it like hating someone you've never meet? Freedom of speech gives Mr. Hirsen the right to tell these stories, if true. It also gives us the right to laugh at the hypocrisy of those who think they are better and smarter than we are, just because they may have a talent. It also gives those who have substantive counter arguments the right to voice them. I hope to see substantive comments and not just ad hominen.
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