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The O'Reilly Factor : The Good, the Bad, and the Completely Ridiculous in American Life

The O'Reilly Factor : The Good, the Bad, and the Completely Ridiculous in American Life

List Price: $25.95
Your Price: $16.35
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Book will want to make you watch his TV show!
Review: Read THE O'REILLY FACTOR: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE
COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS IN AMERICAN LIFE by bill o'reilly,
host of Fox News Channel's THE O'REILLY FACTOR . . . have you
ever seen his show? I haven't, but would like to after reading his best-selling book . . . he's one very opinionated guy, but I found myself agreeing with a lot of what he wrote . . . for example, he talks about one way to solve the drug problem is to have a forced rehab program like Alabama has . . . there, all prisoners are tested as soon as they're booked . . . all convicted suspects are given a choice: forced drug rehab in a prison drug facility or a longer sentence with the
general prison population . . . of the 5,000 participants so far, twice as many criminals stay off drugs upon release than those without rehab (and they must submit to regular drug testing for years after release).

There were many memorable passages; among them:
It's time that we all lighten up about sex, accept the reality of
the situation, and keep our secular activities where they belong:
in the privacy of the bedroom or hot tub, or in the case of
Pamela Anderson, on the Internet.

Here's the most important thing you need to know for success:
Identify your true talents. We're all born with a grab bag of
gifts . . . Think deeply about yours; identify them clearly; then
find out how to use them to make money!

Of course, we need it [money], but enjoying a job is worth plenty,too. If you look forward to going to work when you wake up in the morning, you are a success, no matter what your job description. Do you envy the guys and gals with the huge houses out in the suburbs and exurbs? How about their two- or three-hour commutes in the mornings and the evenings? And how about the "big nuts" of taxes, mortgages, private school fees and all the rest that require them to keep their heads down and play the corporate games,losing their dignity so they won't lose their mock-Tudor homes? Sometimes, having money costs too much.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Want a challenge- read this!
Review: Bill O'Reilly will be the first to tell you that he doesn't want you to know what side of the fence is is on. In this book, he says he wants you to read the book and be even more uncertain about his political leanings when you are finished. I have come away thinking he's a registered Independent, but I'm not certain. That's one of the great things about this book.

I didn't agree with everything he had to say, especially about religion. But that's the thing I like about Bill O'Reilly- he doesn't toe any one party line, and I do disagree with him sometimes. I also agree with him a lot, mainly because I do feel that he is trying to get the truth about situations out to the public. I'm glad he isn't afraid to speak his mind about things. He gets a lot of heat about it, but that's what makes him such a unique person in the media- he tells it like it is. Sometimes the truth hurts, and a lot of people can't take that, and that's evident in the viewer mail he shares with the reader in the book.

Some of the parts of the book are silly, like his list of favorite things (like movies), so it's not all political.

So, if you like an intellectual challenge, read this book. No matter if you're liberal, conservative, or on your own, you will think while you read. If you don't like Bill O'Reilly, that's an even better reason to read. At least you can get a picture on where he's coming from.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Factor this!
Review: I love this book! It's funny, easy to read, clever, but most impotanly, it's truthful. Bill says it like it is (MOST of the time) and deserves alot of credit. Unlike the annoyingly whinny liberals in this country, he gets things done! He's a good American and a fine human being. He is our friend.

I couldn't help but laugh while reading all of the negative reviews for this book. No wonder the left has lost so much power in this country! All I can say is keep on talking! Your foul liberal mouths only hurt you, and if it's your dirty mouths that keeps you out of power... I'm all for it. So please, keep talking! Keep whining and complaining like you always do. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good Book; very quick read; to the point; funny
Review: I enjoyed reading this book even though I only give it 3 stars (I'd give it 3.5 if I could) because it's really nothing too unique, and, other than a couple stories, nothing really new to fans (like me) of the O'Relly Factor show. While I disagree on several topics with Mr. O'Reilly, I enjoy his honesty, enthusiasm, and refusal to accept dishonesty and corruption. While we will always disagree with others in many areas, O'Reilly realizes that our society has to have leaders and a citizenry at large that have at least some integrity and character, and this is the main call of his book.

While, as I've said, this book is nothing really new, the three parts I will always recall from this book, are 1) his chapter (the first) on social classes in America, 2) his story of his double date with Donald Trump, and 3) his summation of Bill Clinton and Janet Reno. The class factor chapter, basically an open letter to Jesse Jackson, is one of the most blunt and direct acknowledgments of a topic that too many of our country's leaders, in the midst of their demagoguery, refuse to address. The story on Mr. O'Reilly's night out with Mr. Trump is one that I wish all Americans would read before the next time they rush across the shopping mall, or pause anywhere else in public, to gawk at a celebrity. And finally, at the end of the book, Mr. O'Reilly gives three appendices: the Good, the Bad, and the Ridiculous in American Life. He then proceeds with short synopses of each member of these lists. While these lists are simply short rants of Mr. O'Reilly's about who he likes and dislikes and why, the summations of Bill Clinton and his third choice for Attorney General, Ms. Reno, are the most accurate and honest assesments of those two that anyone will find. His analysis removes all vitriol and partisanship to simply state what the two of them did over the past 8 (6 in Janet's case) years. I encourage anyone to read this book, as it takes very little time to do so, and then decide whether the two of them do not perfectly define the definition of the word "ridiculous" that Mr. O'Reilly includes in the book.

In summation, the book is short, quick, not too deep, and will leave the reader with a couple memorable anecdotes from Mr. O'Reilly's interesting career.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: What are we talking about here?
Review: It makes me laugh when people criticize this book because they say that Bill O'Reilly is not reporting the news impartially, as taught in a college journalism class. Mr. O'Reilly's book (and his television show) is about his personal interpretation of current events in the country - his analysis of news. He does not claim to be a reporter or an anchorman whose job it is to state "just the facts." At least he has the courage to stand up for his opinions and call 'em as he sees 'em, unlike many self-proclaimed impartial journalists who always manage to put their personal spin on the news, while protected from criticism under the stone-faced guise of being an objective anchor.

I don't agree with everything Mr. O'Reilly says, but he always gives a strong and passionate argument for his point of view which forces me to examine the issue from both sides. I couldn't hate him or criticize him simply for having a different opinion. "The O'Reilly Factor" is a nicely written, straightforward, fast moving record of one man's view of the current state of the country. If nothing else reading "The O'Reilly Factor," will familiarize you with differing views and give you more amunition for political arguments at your next dinner party.

It's up to any intelligent reader to decide whether or not you agree or disagree with Mr. O'Reilly's opinions. "This is how I feel," he says, "but think for yourself! You decide." That's always his message.

Don't let college professors, journalists, friends or family members tell you what's right or wrong or good or bad. In a world where so many people allow themselves to be brainwashed into how to think, what to watch, where to go, what to read and how to feel, I don't think it's fair to criticize Mr. O'Reilly's book because he has strong opinions (that sometimes are not politically correct) - which he states with courage and confidence. For that he should be praised.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The opinion of one man
Review: While reading this book, it got annoying to hear Bill O'Reilly's opinion on everything. The subjects that Bill tlaks about and gives his opinion about, also has a another side to it and l would liked to have read it as well. For most part Bill gives his point of view and it doesn't mean his right.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: O'Reilly don't spin & I should know it cuz I danced with him
Review: He's a marvelous raconteur who loves to bake bran muffins that are just soooo oversized they fairly pop right out of the oven and melt in your mouth. Sadly, he won't share recipes. He hates small animals, too. He tried to kick our Nancy-Boo once and she tore a hunk out of his pants leg. He threatened to sue us for everything we had at the time (which wasn't much - my gran was an invalid and dad's store burned down). His lawyers advised him against it, though (whew) because they said it wouldn't give him good publicity.
Being a true curmudgeon, he consistently cheats at cards. This is, I think, kind of cute, except for the time we all went to Vegas together. Then it was scary. One time I caught him going through my younger sister's diary. He shoved me out of her room, saying, "I need some new material, you little ******* no-necked monster." (That was the show he did about how alienated and anti-republican today's teens are. Man! He made it sound like we were from outer space!) He makes up a whole lot of that stuff when he's full of, as aunt Bessie likes to say, "a snootful of you know what."
If my uncle Bill wrote a book, then you should read it cause, as he tells it, it's just got to be "entirely excellent and brilliant beyond the dull comprehension of the average unwashed masses, who aren't being done away with fast enough by republican initiatives." That is a sore point with him. He really hates "unwashed masses." I don't know who they are or what third world country they are from or whatever, but they sure must be bad! My uncle Bill says so! So read this book. Please.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Dear American public-
Review: Mr. O'Reilly paints an overly optimistic picture of the United States as it pertains to the ordinary working woman or man. O'Reilly asserts he is from the working class but he no longer belongs to it given his success and access to the rich and powerful.
Here are some things for you, the reader, to ponder:
1) In America there is ALMOST free speech. For example, if you have a bad experience and feel you were shortchanged by a business or other entity, you cannot communicate your experience for the benefit of others in a testimonial ad that alerts them to potential problems with that outfit and be careful. Technology has created more diversity in communication but also more CONTROL of it.
2) If an individual has had problems, America is an unforgiving country. Services such as ChoicePoint, used by major firms, routinely do background checks which reveal problems in a person's past but not extenuating circumstances for them, giving a skewed and potentially very inaccurate picture of the character of that person. Banks also do this to people through the use of credit reporting and check services such as NCPS. In America, you don't have to authorize a background check but you are essentially forced under duress to oblige or not have a job. In America, institutions such as Fleet and Citizens banks or any number of employers routinely play God with the working person's destiny. If a bank blackballs you, you have a very difficult time buying food,clothing, medical care or providing for a family. I know of at least 1 person who had money taken from their bank account,was assessed considerable fees by the bank, refused to pay them and as a result the bank put their name into NCPS,blackballing them from opening another account within the next 5 years. That bank never did explain why the money was missing. In America, the financial system is designed to maximize control over the majority of the population with the capacity to ensure an individual's very life can be put at stake by a simple comment to an archiving and reporting body. How many lives have been destroyed by Equifax,NCPS, ChoicePoint and so many more?
3) Americans have no right to privacy! The U.S. Supreme court does not have the courage to make a stand and protect its citizens. With the current trend, the lives of Americans in the bedroom,at work, at play,in the doctor's office, church,synagogue or anywhere else will be completely forfeited. As you make love to your wife or husband cameras will be there. If you confide in your doctor, you might as well stand up at Madison Square garden and announce it all. Every aspect of our lives will be subject to scrutiny and accolades or condemnation as society sees fit. Employers will own us on the job and at home. If an employer doesn't like how we worship our Creator or not,who we marry or whether we choose to do so, how we have conducted our financial affairs (with imperfect information), whether we have had legal trouble (even if it was a mistake), our political leanings or not, we will be closed off from the capacity to earn a living in a respectable, dignified way. In part average Americans are to blame for all of this. The clerk at the bank who handles your account can decide your fate for the next several years.
4) Americans simply don't care for the most part. The average person is kept so off balance through work and family obligations that she or he does not see the big picture. Social injustices occur in every town and city in America but the failure of good people to participate and act allows those injustices to flourish.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: WORKING CLASS?
Review: I read the first few pages and I didn't want to finish the rest. There are several things about Bill O'Reilly that irritate me, but the thing that made me not want to continue with the book was his constant attempt to associate himself with "the working class". While he may have originated from a working class blackground, can he say he is still there? It's irritating to myself and others who actually do come from middle class neighborhoods to hear some schmuck wearing 3000 suits and getting paid quite a bit of money to sit there and berate his guests and ramble on and on about his one-sided, unreseached views without letting the other person have their say. Don't buy it.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Poorly written and rife with flawed logic
Review: I picked up this book to read during my commute. After reading it, I felt like I had wasted my time and money.

I was frustrated by the logic (or lack thereof) in O'Reilly's arguments. O'Reilly often leaps to conclusions that do not follow from the facts. Additionally, his interpretations of the national and international scene are highly skewed by his agenda. It is clear that his beliefs are formed a priori - formed before consulting the facts.

The tone of The O'Reilly Factor is righteous and arrogant, and the prose poorly written. It's unfortunate that the views expressed by Bill O'Reilly are considered to be representative of the conservative perspective in America.


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