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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
A really funny book, if a bit dated. The commentary is hilarious, but well researched and sincere. It is interesting that many of the people that Franken satirized almost a decade ago are still in the media, performing the exact same routines, e.g. Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh.
funny but a little too self-satisfied despite constant self-deprecation
A timeless and humorous read. I doubt that 14 years ago Franken could have foreseen an even more lying Right led by the most dishonest and fact-challenged president ever. Imagine the fun Franken would have with these gems: “I guess it was the biggest electoral college win since Ronald Reagan”; "They say I had the biggest crowd in the history of inaugural speeches”; “There’s nobody on the campaign that saw anybody from Russia”;“Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated”; and my personal favorite, “No, I don't benefit (from his tax reform plan). I don't benefit.”
A good read on the pot, when your stuck in a snow storm, or down and out with the flu.
The chapters are highly variable in humor, and the comic-book chapter with the chicken hawks in Vietnam isn't very good, but all in all a pretty funny, and important book at the time.
I wonder if it would still be funny 8 years on.
I wonder if it would still be funny 8 years on.
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 Totally outdated now and probably not worth reading if you haven't already, but it gave me a laugh when I really needed it the most.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...
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 Totally outdated now and probably not worth reading if you haven't already, but it gave me a laugh when I really needed it the most.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...
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.
Beyond excellent. Should be required reading with a signed affidavit before anyone is allowed to watch Fox News.
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.
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.
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.