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rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
The audiobook is great! Asner uses his gruff humor to rebuke the notion of the founding fathers that Republicans try to sell during their argument.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
In framing a system which we wish to last for ages, we should not lose sight of the change which ages will produce. -- James Madison
When Ed Asner came to Louisiana for his book tour, I was so, so, so upset I couldn't get out to meet him. I'm even more upset after having read the book.
There's a lot to get through here, but considering how much information is in here, and the length of the bibliography, I am intensely appreciative to these two gentleman for putting all of this together, for my education and entertainment.
Because oh my word, is this entertaining. Smart and sarcastic, snarky and informative. There is so much to enjoy in here, if you can take the time to read through it.
I picked a really great time to read this, and I definitely need to own it.
When Ed Asner came to Louisiana for his book tour, I was so, so, so upset I couldn't get out to meet him. I'm even more upset after having read the book.
There's a lot to get through here, but considering how much information is in here, and the length of the bibliography, I am intensely appreciative to these two gentleman for putting all of this together, for my education and entertainment.
Because oh my word, is this entertaining. Smart and sarcastic, snarky and informative. There is so much to enjoy in here, if you can take the time to read through it.
I picked a really great time to read this, and I definitely need to own it.
wooknight's review against another edition
4.0
A funny read, loved his perspective. Should be essential reading for anybody who wants a balanced view of the constitution and its authors.
crgreenelantern's review against another edition
3.0
This book is fun and worth the price of admission if only because "At a Screen Actors Guild meeting, the late Ricardo Montalban told me to go fuck myself" is one of the best sentences I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
theknitgeek's review
4.0
Ed Asner's first-person take on the "right-wing hypocrites and nutjobs" is a hilarious look at how little the framers, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and a lot of contemporary to them documentation dealt with the concept of Christianity. The concept of the separation of church and state was foundational to their beliefs and the government the created. Backed by actual quotes from actual founders and framers, the historicity is hard for the nutjobs to disprove. Also covered are such concepts as gun control (the founders and framers wanted it), slavery (they were all for it), the Supreme Court's frequent misinterpretations of the Constitution and their own previous rulings, and more.
I love me some history, especially when it's written in a tongue-in-cheek, snarky tone. If you're anything like me, you'll also love this book.
I love me some history, especially when it's written in a tongue-in-cheek, snarky tone. If you're anything like me, you'll also love this book.
cjeanne99's review
funny
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Ed Asner - aka Lou Grant to many - is feed up with ultra-right conservatives who hold up the constitution as if it is their constitution - bending the words to their own purposes. Asner tells us about the constitution by going back to the days of the Framers - putting things in context of the times - and making some salient points. At times snarky, at times a little too simplistic for me - still enjoyed the book. Plus - you get a copy of the Constitution in the Appendix.
Asner ends with these words:
It’s time now to redeem the America the Founders wanted for us:
• A government that rules by reason, tempered with compassion and advanced by science;
• That guarantees free speech in the public square;
• That respects and grants liberties to all;
• That drives big money from politics;
• That separates church and state;
• That promotes sane and civil discourse;
•That protects the most vulnerable of its citizens;
• That ensures a society of the “haves” and the “haves”;
• That its elected officials share a civic virtue, disinterested in their own advancements;
• Whose criminal justice system is more “justice” than “criminal.”
It’s time for a new age of Enlightenment. And speaking of Enlightenment—let me quote once again from Thomas Jefferson: The care of human life and happiness and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government. A curtain line if I ever heard one.
Well done Lou.
Asner ends with these words:
It’s time now to redeem the America the Founders wanted for us:
• A government that rules by reason, tempered with compassion and advanced by science;
• That guarantees free speech in the public square;
• That respects and grants liberties to all;
• That drives big money from politics;
• That separates church and state;
• That promotes sane and civil discourse;
•That protects the most vulnerable of its citizens;
• That ensures a society of the “haves” and the “haves”;
• That its elected officials share a civic virtue, disinterested in their own advancements;
• Whose criminal justice system is more “justice” than “criminal.”
It’s time for a new age of Enlightenment. And speaking of Enlightenment—let me quote once again from Thomas Jefferson: The care of human life and happiness and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government. A curtain line if I ever heard one.
Well done Lou.