Reviews

Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them by Al Franken

ris_stitches's review against another edition

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5.0

My mom read this a few weeks before I did, and she kept calling me, randomly throughout the week to say "LET ME JUST READ THIS TO YOU" and she would proceed to read me a page or two, all the while either laughing hysterically or searing with hatred and anger. I had to read it for myself.

This book was hysterical. Totally outdated now and probably not worth reading if you haven't already, but it gave me a laugh when I really needed it the most. Although, it also pissed me off, but that's why I don't tend to read non-fiction...

jillianjennett's review against another edition

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4.0

I picked up this book after listening to Fraken's most recent publication Giant of the Senate and heard him mention a few times this book and how much he has evolved in both his understanding of political discourse as well as the way government works. Switching from Trump-era writing to Bush-era was eerie to say the least. With a team of students and researchers from Harvard and fact checking that could put Snopes to shame, it is fascinating to see the evolution of the impact of media on politics, then 24-hour cable media, up until post-9/11 fear-mongering done by an ultraconservative right with no concern if they were misleading their constituents or not. Is it a biased book? Sure. Franken is a Democrat and, now, a US Senator, so it is no surprise that there is an initial bias. The fact checking and attention to detail in the journey of the lying liars who are telling such lies and watching these same media giants still dictating the voting patterns of millions more than a decade later is unsettling, but important reading for all.

jfkaess's review against another edition

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5.0

Beyond excellent. Should be required reading with a signed affidavit before anyone is allowed to watch Fox News.

carlylottsofbookz's review against another edition

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3.0

Any book that starts out with a conversation between the author and God, I'm a little skeptical of. Unless of course, that conversation is one that points out the stupidities of most of what I find wrong with our political system today.

While it took me a really long time to get through this book, it was fun and enjoyable.

The biggest thing that I will take away from this book isn't an idea that just came to me while reading it, but is one that I've noted before.

Democrats are bad at pointing out all the stupid shit (forgive the language, but it's really the only word that will do it justice) that Republicans do. This book showed example after example of Republican actions and speeches, where, had they been done/said by a Democrat, the Republicans would have been ALL OVER IT. Calling Dems _____________ (fill in derogatory word here).

Republicans are good at calling Democrats out--even when the Reps are in the wrong.

By all means, I am not saying Dems are perfect, they aren't. But, damn, do they let Reps get away with stuff.

Call this book biased, it is. Call me biased, I am. If my dad can read Rush is Right, I can read about all the time Rush has Lied.

An interesting read.

kchiappone's review against another edition

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4.0

I already knew that Republicans make a living from lying, so this read was more masturbatory than anything. I enjoyed it, especially the Supply Side Jesus segment and his one act play. I skipped the Operation Chickenhawk chapter because, while I enjoy satire, I was more interested in the fact - based chapters.

felicereviews's review against another edition

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2.0

I didnt get through the whole thing. Its too name cally for me.

placeholder13's review against another edition

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funny informative medium-paced

4.5

koki_siringo's review against another edition

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funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

jammasterjamie's review against another edition

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3.0

Still really funny, but also kind of depressing in showing how far we haven't come since it was first published. In fact, I think we're kind of moving backwards now...

sortabadass's review against another edition

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4.0

Preaching to the choir, ten years too late.