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Lies And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right Al Franken 9780452285217 Books

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Lies And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right Al Franken 9780452285217 Books

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I found it to be an enjoyable, informative, and, moreover, important book to read. Franken carefully (and wittily) points out numerous errors, exaggerations, half-truths, false information, and outright lies that several prominent conservative political "pundits" and politicians made in the 1990s and early 2000s. Importantly, in each case he provides the evidence and cites the sources to back up his points, and in explaining how the subjects' statements or writings are wrong, he provides useful and enlightening information to the reader about these past events. Most unsettling/disturbing are the instances he points out (again with supporting evidence) in which the subjects of the book did not bother to check the facts to back up some of the criticisms or pronouncements they made, essentially spreading and amplifying gossip and false information. Further, and especially alarming and repugnant, in instances when the errors, misstatements, false information, or lies were pointed out to those persons who made them, they would not (or could not) accept or even acknowledge the truth, and would/did not correct the false public statements that they previously had made.

For fans/admirers/supporters of the conservative persons Franken writes about, it may be difficult to read this book; and on the other hand, critics of the subjects of the book will like/enjoy what he writes. But regardless of political persuasion, I think this is an important book for all Americans to read to get some insight into the things that politicians and political pundits say or write (regardless of whether the persons are conservative, liberal, in-between, or whatever), to appreciate the importance of citizens carefully thinking about what is said/written; asking for (no, make that demanding!!) the honest facts/data to back up what is said, written, or broadcast; and maintaining a skeptical perspective of the statements made by others, even by the politicians we like and are inclined to support.

It is important to note that although the book talks about events that occurred or statements that were made more than a decade ago, what is written in the book and the implications are just as important (or even more so) today. Finally, the bottom line is that it just is an enjoyable, informative, and funny -- (sometimes laugh-out-loud funny) -- book to read.


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Lies And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right Al Franken 9780452285217 Books Reviews

Okay, I'll admit that my own political leanings are strikingly similar to Al Franken's, so I got much of what I expected.
That said, I really liked the way Al used specific examples and exhaustive research to refute many of the claims made by right-wing pundits and to demonstrate their lack of veracity. O'Reilly's claims of journalistic credibility, Coulter's insane rantings, Hannity's bombast. Especially telling were his answers to the outlandish accusations against Bill Clinton and Al Gore by various conservatives. Basically, their claims lack any shred of proof or misstate events while Al provides direct quotes and names of sources in refutation. Good stuff.
My only criticism would be his occasional lapses into parody in the midst of a solid argument. The Bush administration, in its blind hatred of all things Clinton, failed to follow up on intelligence pointing to attacks by Al Qaeda. But to refer to it by an operational name without identifying the name as parody (unless there really was such an operation) could cause those from the dark side to question his credibility.
All in all, buy or borrow this book, but definitely read it.
Franken does a good job interjecting humor into facts. Not as well-written as Giant in the Senate.
Al Franken is an excellent writer and a matter of fact, up standing personality. If you don't want to hear the truth, then don't buy the book!~DUG
Al Franklin is very intelligent and super funny! Al has that rare quality not often found in Washington D.C, he's honest, able to cut through all the double talk of D.C and I hope he continues to shine his light into the dark corners of corruption.
What a shame you are no longer in Congress...the only stable genius I knew of in DC. It was a sham, a scam and a pitiful choice to - oh, you know the rest. Dems had to prove something...that they could be a stupid as republicans!
Great funny book, can't wait to get way more up to date reading from Franken.
See, the difference here is that Al uses solid verifiable facts instead of half truths, smoke and mirrors, and outright LIES used by those he is opposing. This was written back in the Dubya days and the staggering consumption of lies has only increased! It's not that hard to research stuff, given a gram of discerning desire for the truth, but so many now only want to have their feelings/opinions/ bias's reinforced, not educated.
With humor and first hand knowledge Franken pulls back the curtain on the misdirection used by pundits, commentators, so called news analysts, and in particular Bill O' Reilly, Sean Hannity, and Ann Coulter. In today's political climate this book is even more of a must read.

While addressing the way the 'right' uses partial facts, selected quotes, and false information, this book is a reminder to all of us to check the facts as best we can before making decisions about who is telling the truth, regardless of the source.

Although written in 2003, the lies and the liars that tell them are, for the most part, still around and have actually increased in number. If there was ever a book that prompted deeper reading into what is truth, it is this one.

This one gets four stars.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I found it to be an enjoyable, informative, and, moreover, important book to read. Franken carefully (and wittily) points out numerous errors, exaggerations, half-truths, false information, and outright lies that several prominent conservative political "pundits" and politicians made in the 1990s and early 2000s. Importantly, in each case he provides the evidence and cites the sources to back up his points, and in explaining how the subjects' statements or writings are wrong, he provides useful and enlightening information to the reader about these past events. Most unsettling/disturbing are the instances he points out (again with supporting evidence) in which the subjects of the book did not bother to check the facts to back up some of the criticisms or pronouncements they made, essentially spreading and amplifying gossip and false information. Further, and especially alarming and repugnant, in instances when the errors, misstatements, false information, or lies were pointed out to those persons who made them, they would not (or could not) accept or even acknowledge the truth, and would/did not correct the false public statements that they previously had made.

For fans/admirers/supporters of the conservative persons Franken writes about, it may be difficult to read this book; and on the other hand, critics of the subjects of the book will like/enjoy what he writes. But regardless of political persuasion, I think this is an important book for all Americans to read to get some insight into the things that politicians and political pundits say or write (regardless of whether the persons are conservative, liberal, in-between, or whatever), to appreciate the importance of citizens carefully thinking about what is said/written; asking for (no, make that demanding!!) the honest facts/data to back up what is said, written, or broadcast; and maintaining a skeptical perspective of the statements made by others, even by the politicians we like and are inclined to support.

It is important to note that although the book talks about events that occurred or statements that were made more than a decade ago, what is written in the book and the implications are just as important (or even more so) today. Finally, the bottom line is that it just is an enjoyable, informative, and funny -- (sometimes laugh-out-loud funny) -- book to read.