Rating: Summary: A Book That Came Right On Time... Review: I bought the book a week ago and didn't get a chance to finish it until this week (thanks to stormy weather) I think Mike Moore definitely brought up some interesting topics in this book, particularly one chapter I liked where he talks about the presidents involvement with the Bin Laden family, and in another his involvements with Kenneth Lay. I like chapter 9 because he breaks down the conservatives pretty good (lol), and it was funny when I came here to see the reviews after reading this book, it seems like there's already bunch of disgruntle conservatives making these short mean little reviews about the author and his book, I just think its funny.But if you do see something wrong with the way our CC is running things, this book is filled with interesting facts you may or may not be aware of, and don't allow any of those bias little reviews go scare you off because this book is definitely worth reading.
Rating: Summary: Where's our country? Review: It's right here, at least that is the gist of the message Michael Moore is once again reminding us. It's a real pleasure to read such hopeful advice for a change. Yes, the country is in dire straits at the moment, but only at the hands of a few. Moore emphasizes, using polls from a variety of sources, that the majority of the people of this country are good, honest, hard-working "liberal" people that care about this country and want to see things change for the better. It's a great strategy to write a book in this way, it shows all of us - right or left - that we can have back the country we knew and loved. Seriously, I must agree that those who gave this one star didn't read it, or in fact, might be the very people he's exposing in this book (e.g. Bush Admin. and Corporate America). I agree with another reviewer that the chapter on how we all need to wake up and realize we probably won't be rich (Chapter 7), is very interesting and needs to be realized. Basically, don't waste your time rooting for the wealthy politician who says he wants to work to make things that way for you too, because he won't. During the last presidential election, I used to feel sorry for all those people driving beat up old cars with Bush/Cheney bumper stickers because I knew those two would never help these poor people get a better working car, let alone a decent job with a liveable wage, but these people really did believe it. I wonder how well they are doing now, or how much their lives have improved since the big tax cut. It seems they need to read Chapter 7, and then realize the only people these two wanted to help were themselves - and they have, along with that 1% of the people this administration set out to help. Say what you want, but I trust those of you who are ripping this book apart, aren't better off since this administration was placed into office.
Rating: Summary: From bad to worse: Dude, you call this writing? Review: I am not going to argue about the value of Michael Moore's convictions. I am here only to comment about his WRITING SKILLS, and he's got very few. The man rambles, he cannot structure his thoughts in a constructive way: it is all about an outburst of chaotic, angry and not very witty thought. Yes, his convictions are deep - so what? Deep conviction does not make a good writer, and Michael Moore, sadly, believes he's got a talent. He does not. He is a very passionate, very well-meaning and yet completely talentless man. If you like his ideas, fine, but please, do not pretend that you appreciate his literary skills, because it makes you look like guys who say that they buy magazines with naked ladies "for the articles". There is nothing wrong - I repeat - nothing wrong with having your own opinion about politics in America. But let me tell you one curious phenomenon about most enthusiastic reviewers of this book: they all seem to be pretty instructive on others HAVING to read this book. IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY. You MUST read it. Reading this book is your DUTY. Back off, will ya? Do you think that people who don't think like you are this way simply because they haven't read Michael Moore's book yet? In short - if you liked his film and the earlier book about Stupid White Men, buy it by all means. You'll enjoy every bit. For people like me, it's another proof of how much can be forgiven if ideological fundamentals seem to rhyme.
Rating: Summary: Valuable eye-opener Review: This book provides valuable information for anyone unfamiliar with the Neocon agenda, which is without doubt vast majority of the US population. For example, one of the issues addressed by "Dude" is the PNAC. Having myself quizzed a number of US citizens of various academic backgrounds (including students and staff from a top US business school) over a two month period this year, I found the typical response to be "PNAC? Never heard of it. What is that?". "Dude" explains "Project New American Century" aka PNAC, and many other shocking facts about the present government's agenda in simple, occasionally (although not immensely) amusing terms. Just a bunch of left-wing conspiricy theories? A simple google search will take you to the original PNAC website in seconds. Therefore, what is essentially a declaration of world domination by the USA, is freely available for anyone on the planet to read, and it comes straight from the horse's mouth. Just to emphasize the need for information sources such "Dude", consider the following: The PNAC manifesto, which declares in no uncertain terms how "for decades the US has sought a position of power in the Middle East", was written pre 9/11 by a group of conservatives, 18 members of which form part of the the present US administration. Now you'd think the mainstream press would pick up on something like that, wouldn't you? Given that no one appears to have heard of PNAC, it appears the mainstream media didn't do a very good job. This is the void that Michael Moore so essentially fills. It may be "fast food" in form and to some extent content, but hey, this population has been starved of the Truth for too long.
Rating: Summary: A response to another review. Review: I have not read this book, so perhaps I ought to keep my mouth shut, but I was irked by an earlier review. First, I should explain that I am a liberal, but very moderate. I don't particularly care for Moore, mainly because, as was said in other reviews, he is inarticulate and looking for a fight. On to my point: to the reviewer who, well, scolded other reviewers who disliked the book, and said that they only disliked it because they were conservatives and asked why such people read the book in the first place... It was perhaps because these conservatives you scold might be openminded and willing to try to see the other side of the issues. You are obviously a liberal and probably see yourself as open-minded, so why is it so bad that someone on the other side of the issues be that way as well?
Rating: Summary: A MUST READ FOR ANY RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN! Review: This book gave me a sense of assurance that this country is not filled with people who blindly accept the ideas and images presented to them by the President and the media. Michael Moore did such a wonderful job of presenting facts with humor and practicality that I will be giving this book to all my relatives for Christmas...especially the blind conservatives!!!!
Rating: Summary: Great, fun, fact filled book. Review: I finished the book last night and found hard to put it down. I might not agree with a couple of things Moore says, but I do like his logic process: Give facts (with sources) and then draw conclusions and even build a couple of theories upon those facts. You can agree or disagree with them, but it is a logic process. In his book, Bill O'Reilly, on the other hand, takes his own pre-conceived notions first ("The media other than Foxnews is too liberal, George Clooney's opinions should not be listened to, Even though no WMD were found, Iraq had them, All lawyers are crooks" etc.), presents them as facts (by then, he's lost about 3/4 of his readers, hence the low ratings of his book), and with the 1/4 remaining, for whom this "thought" process is enough, he goes on building up on his overused, boring rants. Thanks Michael Moore for being brave in a world that has become too frightened to open their eyes and ears to the truth. People are starting to look around and listen up.
Rating: Summary: Wow, what a wake up! I now feel better to be an American. Review: On Friday, (today is Monday) I bought copies of American Michael Moore's recent books "Stupid White Men" and "Dude, Where's my Country?". I have recently seen "Bowling for Columbine" at a friend of mine's house and have been visiting American Michael Moore's website and I have been getting much more interested in American Michael's ideas/facts! Yes, they are facts, in fact, everything that American Michael has said in his films and in his books are true. That is why he hasn't been sued yet by anybody. It's all true! You guys have GOT to read his book "Stupid White Men!!!!! It may change your life. He has exposed corporate America in their sham and details how they get away with it! This guy deserves all of our support whether you are American or from another country...if you do not heed his warning, the budding police state in America will in a despicable sense, spread it's hideous shadow across the globe, with the ultra-rich taking cruel advantage of the majority of human beings on this planet... When American Bill Maher started his program on HBO, I remember that there was a collective sigh of relief in the U.S. that someone had the guts to speak up with a voice of reason. Now American Michael Moore has joined the ranks, thank your Michael!!! Read "Stupid White Men" and "Dude, Where's my Country?", to learn many of the the various truths that the media has been suppressing at the request of corporate greed. Learn about how the Democratic (Democratic-Republican) party has been purposefully aiding the Republicans...Even through the Clinton era! and how Gore sabotaged his own chances at getting elected. How the Republicans cheat and lie and use the democratic-republicans over and over again. This makes things a lot easier for the republicans. American Michael Moore (he is not Canadian!), has exposed the U.S. government, and possibly other governments in a huge scam. I hardly ever read "popular" books, and for some clearly obvious reasons, I couldn't put "Stupid White Men" and "Dude, Where's my Country?", down until I finished them, it took me around twenty-four hours and now I am beginning to finally understand what kind of wool has been pulled over my eyes. Come into the light and see the lies for what they are. At the very least, you will see the truth, and don't forget the truth can't hide and the truth is proud to be seen, and that lies don't hold up at all when scrutinized, in fact they run and hide...ooooo, I'm scared, run away! Unfortunately, these lies, I'm afraid, may be tearing the very fabric of our existence apart. Thank you American Michael Moore!! It is now clear, from the govt. number statistics that you present in your books, that we the people are the majority. (Even though others might have us believe otherwise) I now know that we the people, will always, no matter what, be sincerely grateful to you American Michael Moore for filling us in. When the dark forces were trying to keep us, well, in the dark, Democratic-Republicans have privately already conceded that they will lose the 2004 election! Don't get caught up in this ugly lie machine, the truth is that we the people are in the majority, "Let's STOP them!" WARNING: the hate machinery is already in place, waging war against American Michael Moore. If you do a web search for American Michael Moore, you will certainly find some nasty hate propaganda which proves the dark forces are scared and trying to trick your mind into believing a whopper of a lie. Read the books and then get back to me...I'd love to chat with anybody on this subject. Also, I can see that many of the "reviews" given are dedicated to corporate greed...read these books, what a revelation, don't be fooled by the greedy hate-mongering rich stupid white men.
Rating: Summary: Please! No More Michael Moore! Review: Just awful! That's 5 hours of my life I'll never get back...
Rating: Summary: Fun and interesting book... Review: Okay - first off I have to say: It's obvious that many of the people who gave this book a low rating are more conservative in their thinking... So why on earth did they spend their time and money to buy and read this book? Perhaps the same type of thinking that led Nixon to have his plumbers tap the Watergate Hotel? Shhh, Michael! Don't tell them our secrets! Anyhow, on to the review... What I liked about the book: This is a fun and easy read filled with interesting (and some shocking) facts about the state of our union. If you read it consistently you'll be through it in a couple days. This book is also filled with opinions - most of which you will probably agree with if you find yourself leaning to the left side of the political spectrum. Moore presents the material in a humorous way that makes the reading much less dry than it could be, and doesn't spend too much time analyzing any one issue. This lends itself well to making the book a great commuter or potty reader :) Many of Moore's critics have called him Chomsky for Children; which if you've read any of Chomsky's work you'll realize is more of a compliment than I'm sure they intended it to be. I think a more appropriate title for Moore might be Everymans Chomsky. Moore has no pretense of superior sophistication (which is one of the biggest downfalls of the liberal cause) and presents the material in a way that the majority of us can relate to. There are a few parts of the book that seem downright childish (like the dream sequence chatting with his future granddaughter) but you never get the feel that Moore is talking down to anyone. What I didn't like about the book: My only real complaint with Michael Moore's work is the pretense that the republican party and essentially anyone who calls themselves a republican is inherently greedy, mean, and almost sociopathic. For example, although the section on "Talking to Your Conservative Brother-in-law" was pretty entertaining, it was frustrating to feel that Moore doesn't acknowledge the good, decent, principled people who just happen to have a different ideology. I know plenty of people who call themselves republicans that are by no means greedy, self-centered, etc. This was however my only real issue with the book (and what else should I have expected?). Overall this is a good book and you should run right out to the nearest store (oops, I mean order it here on Amazon!) and buy it. Even if you don't agree with Moores politics, you'd be hard pressed not to at least crack a few smiles while reading this book.
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