Rating: Summary: A great left-wing political and social comedy Review: Most readers, like myself, probably don't share all of Michael Moore's political beliefs. This book is definitely left wing, but still will appeal to almost anyone. It crosses political lines by relying on one thing that will be accepted by all: humor.Moore attacks a wide group of companies, issues, and people, but not maliciously, but more humorously. Don't let that fool you though, his attacks are not light hearted. He goes after GM, Robert Dornan, Germany, and both political parties in a manner that is shocking by its humor and its truthfulness. Moore doesn't claim to be a great writer, but his writing style reflects the way is - common, and easy to understand. This makes this book not only funny, but very readable as well. Though pretty short, it's hilarious, original, and even provides some humorous pictures, mock trading cards, and mock articles. Check this book out and you'll most likely enjoy it, no matter what your political affiliation is.
Rating: Summary: Contains information everyone should know. Review: "Downsize This!: Random Threats from an Unarmed American" (great title) was written a while ago now, back in the Clinton-era before terrorism and impeachments even, but some things haven't changed, namely the corporate "profit before all else" ethic in the US. Michael informs us of corporate welfare, the tactics compaines employ at workers and communities expense for profit, CEO's paying their workers jack while raking in megabucks themselves, the downsizing of jobs for profit, and the fact that it's not only legal, it's encouraged (all in the name of profit). You could say Downsize This! is the most innocent of Moore's books because it comes from a more innocent era, it's mainly corporations and he things they get away with that he goes after here. I also think it's the most satirical, it's cover-to-cover satire, although Moore had me going with the original OJ chapter. Michael Moore the comedian is behind the keyboard here, interestingly he wrote this a couple of years after writing and directing the fictional comedy "Canadian Bacon". Even though all the stuff written about takes place in the US you know that this kind of thing happens in your own country, just not on as large a scale. Every country needs it's own Michael Moore to inform the public of things that aren't likely to be in the mainstream media but are just as improtant. Downsize This! is still a valid book in todays world and should be read along with Moore's other books, TV shows and movies.
Rating: Summary: Downsize Michael Moore! Review:
Everytime he even opens his mouth -- let alone writes another "book" or makes another "movie" -- Michael Moore only proves that he's the Limbaugh of the left; or, at best, he's everything the left claims Limbaugh is: fat, hate-filled, fat, erroneous, fat, a liar, fat, misinformed, fat, disinforming, fat, partisan, fat, bigoted, fat, and intolerant.
Rating: Summary: A great book! Review: Michael Moore's 1996 book "Downsize This, Random Threats From an Unarmed American" is a great book that shows how messed up America really is. He starts out by giving a list of guidelines to use, that he compiled from different memos, when downsizing a company. He did a great job at putting the list together, it's funny, but at the same time, you know that what he is saying is true. His ability to write about serious issues goes throughout the whole book. Moore has this in-your-face attitude that makes him everybody's hero. He talks about the issues that really matter to the majority of Americans, and tells the side of the story that we never hear about. Like when he talks about terrorism. He first states what we all know and pretty much agree on, that when people purposely do something to destroy other people's lives, like blow up a building, that's terrorism. But then he brings up a point that is never talked about, or heard on the news. Like, why isn't it that when a company closes a plant, and thousands of people lose their jobs, and are barely able to survive, why isn't that called terrorism? A lot of people who do have that happen to them turn to alcohol and/or drugs, which will kill them too. Crime rates go up, and so does the murder rate. So people's lives are still be destroyed, but just by large corporations instead of a group a people. This is just one example of how Moore can totally mix things up, and give a whole different perspective on all sorts of issues. However, to some his sarcasm might be crossing the line, but I enjoyed it and am glad that I had the opportunity to read it.
Rating: Summary: Radom Threats indeed Review: On the cover of his book Downsize This! author Michael Moore is wearing a hat with the words, "Random Threats from an Unarmed American" on the front of it. This is truly a warning of what is waiting for you inside his book. Each of the books 37 chapters takes on a separate issue that Moore feels strongly about. These chapters include many issues including; Taxes/Tax breaks, the difference between republicans and democrats or lack there of, the downsizing of companies that are making record profits, and one chapter is dedicated to proving that former republican presidential candidate Steve Forbes was an alien. The unique thing about this book is how Moore can be very funny while still making the reader realize the point he is trying to make. This is accomplished by Moore mixing the sarcastic humor he is know for, with facts he has compiled through extensive research to prove all of the points he makes. Another quality of the book are the well timed "Humor" chapters. I think that Moore realizes that people can only take so much political talk at a time. So he breaks up talks of budgets, CEOs, and Unions, with chapters like, "My Forbidden Love for Hillary" where Moore goes in-depth on his love for the former first lady, or "Let's Pick a New Enemy!" where Moore says we should have a country to fight to take the place of the Soviet Union and start a new cold war. All of these components come together to form a book that is entertaining and informative at the same time.
Rating: Summary: A Communist Manifesto Review: A great book for all those people who blame others for their shortcomings. Written in an elementary school style for 12 year olds. Someone should inform Moore that his theories were tried in the Soviet Union and not with great success. On the plus side the pages in the paperback version make excellent kindling.
Rating: Summary: First Moore book Review: This is Michael Moore's first book after being a documentary maker before. Of all the three Moore books this is the most about American issues and hardly any foreign policy things. It was written just before the Dole-Clinton fight in 1996 which Clinton of course won. His books are funny, it is almost like watching a stand-up show but only reading the text. When you have ever heard MM speak you can image him shouting this out, it's hilarious. The chapters on Hillary Clinton, Steve Forbes and sperm are so incredibly funny I could not stop laughing. If you have already read Stupid White Men and Dude Where;s My Country this is welcome addition. It's finished in a few hours.
Rating: Summary: A Classic, Great for Those Who Aren't Even Fans of Moore Review: I am a Republican and as such sometimes think Michael Moore oversteps his bounds as a 'documentary maker', one who is supposed to let the subjects speak on camera- and not himself, through his subjects. However, it can't be denied that he's provocative, occasionally funny, and gets results. As such, I respect the man, although I think he sometimes makes mistakes and oversteps his boundaries. I hated his last book, Stupid White Men. It seemed like a continual rant. That said, I will say that I can find nothing but glowing praise for this one; and I will disprove the theory that Republicans can find nothing good to say about Moore. It is true, there is a lot of corporate waste in America, and Moore goes about exposing it in Downsize This! in a funny, intellectual way. If only all nonfiction was this good. We all need to become aware of these problems- and the process of doing so will facinate you. It's like seeing the dirty little secrets of Congress and the government. The downside with the book is that it will make you feel a bit helpless as to what you can DO to stop this corporate waste. Moore doesn't suggest anything. I suggest to Michael Moore that hel offer his readers some ways to be a part of the solution instead of the problem- but maybe Moore is such a bitter individual because he cannot SEE a solution. A pity. He is an excellent leader, but apparently it is only an agitator.
Rating: Summary: Contains information everyone should know. Review: "Downsize This!: Random Threats from an Unarmed American" (great title) was written a while ago now, back in the Clinton-era before terrorism and impeachments even, but some things haven't changed, namely the corporate "profit before all else" ethic in the US. Michael informs us of corporate welfare, the tactics compaines employ at workers and communities expense for profit, CEO's paying their workers jack while raking in megabucks themselves, the downsizing of jobs for profit, and the fact that it's not only legal, it's encouraged (all in the name of profit). You could say Downsize This! is the most innocent of Moore's books because it comes from a more innocent era, it's mainly corporations and he things they get away with that he goes after here. I also think it's the most satirical, it's cover-to-cover satire, although Moore had me going with the original OJ chapter. Michael Moore the comedian is behind the keyboard here, interestingly he wrote this a couple of years after writing and directing the fictional comedy "Canadian Bacon". Even though all the stuff written about takes place in the US you know that this kind of thing happens in your own country, just not on as large a scale. Every country needs it's own Michael Moore to inform the public of things that aren't likely to be in the mainstream media but are just as improtant. Downsize This! is still a valid book in todays world and should be read along with Moore's other books, TV shows and movies.
Rating: Summary: Hit 'em hard, then kick them when they are down.... Review: I was ill in bed and my wife bought Downsize this to cheer me up. I read it in less than a day. The book is hilarious, and Michael Moore has his facts right. His thesis throughout the book, and indeed throughout his early production, is that big corporations must stop accept government money and then fire most of their workforceto increase their already immense profits. He connects corporate greed to racism and corrupt politicians. His piece on congressman Robert Dornan is just superb! For me as a European this open corruption and greed in politicians in the USA is strange. Of course our politicians also lie and are corrupt, but they are a bit more discrete about it. And many of them are caught and forced to resign. We do not have this worship of Big Business. At times the book becomes a bit rambling, but I can forgive that. I hope more people will read and understand this book, and then go out and vote.
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