Downsize This! : Random Threats from an Unarmed American

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Summary: Get This Book Now
Review: I am a moderate Republican and I found this book to be very entertaining. I may not always agree with the authors solutions for the problems he brings up in the book. But he is right on target with what the problems with government and big business are. This book will help people on both sides of the political fence understand what Ross Perot calls the forgotten issues. If you can get the chance go see Micheal speak about the book he is very funny is person! This book has some 'adult' language so keep that in mind. The O.J stuff is worth the price of the book alone

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Summary: Buy, borrow, or steal-just READ it!
Review: If you have ever felt your job and nation were in great jeopardy, this book only confirms your worst fears. However, it's author puts a face on these problems that looks not so different from the yellow smile that says "have a nice day". Mike Moore makes you want to get up and fight the stupidity that lets these crooks run our jobs and our country. From his forbiden love for Hillary to his layout of Beverly Hills (for the Rodney King commemortive riot), Mike will have you rolling on the floor laughing and at the same time calling your local rep. to see who owns them. This book is a must read for you whatever your social standing may be. One word of caution, this book is uncensored, if you didn't understand (or were upset by) the Sienfeld episode "Master of My Domain", you should have someone censor chapters for you! Mike doesn't mince words when he makes a point. At any rate you MUST read and enjoy this book!

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Summary: A must read for every person that works for a living!
Review: This book should be required reading for every American. Every working American that is and if you don't own it you work for it

Rating:
Summary: Just Read It
Review: Everyone should this no matter whatside your on.

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Summary: Social & Economic Justice in America vs Predatory Cynicism
Review: After financial success from his documentary film, "Roger [Roger Smith of General Motors] and Me" made in an American factory worker's nightmare, a.k.a. Flint, Michigan, Michael Moore looked into the national scene for his book "Downsize This!." Although casually and loosely written [minus one point out of 10], Moore manages to record what is wrong with America during this period of bottom line ideological fundamentalism. After decades of loyalty to motherhood, apple pie, the American flag and country, and American corporations lots of workers are getting screwed as their "rewards." Moore documents the lives and work of the screwees and screwors. He also pokes holes in the mythological formula: American corporations = American democracy. The main "crime" that this book commits is to be unashamedly sympathetic to the screwees; the American workers who are downsized (thrown out of their jobs) to produce bigger profits for shareholders and corporate CEO fat cats. This book will of course offend the toadies of corporate greed and phony American patriotism. But in the spirit of "Down Size This!" screw 'em.

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Summary: Vintage Moore
Review: This is basically familiar Michael Moore fare. The chapter that stands out is "Why Doesn't GM Sell Crack?" Republicans have succeeded for far too long in convincing people that deregulation and tort reform are tantamount to personal freedom and liberty, and that laws that protect people from products and services that cause injury and suffering and even death are tyrannical and totalitarian. I can not believe the degree to which they get away with this, and I also can not believe the general lack of response from the political left. In this chapter, Moore takes on these distortions, with his typical gusto, in a way that is compelling and accessible, which I think is one of Moore's talents. Personally, I wish he had expanded "Why Doesn't GM Sell Crack?" to book length. Hopefully, that will be a project for another day.

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Summary: Wow, a must read
Review: Having read and seen most of Moore's work, I didn't think there was much more I could learn. I was surprised though - this book is really good. Even though this book was written in 1996 and revised in 1997, it is just as relevant today!

First, unlike most non-fiction books, this book is written in an easy to read, funny, entertaining and informative way. There are chapters on downsizing in our country, information on private prisons, people who try to make us hate each other instead of solving the problems that affect us all, Hillary Clinton, the blurring line between Republicans and Democrats, etc. The chapter on "Let's Pick a New Enemy" is genius. It's prophetic of what we are going though today with the war on terror. If you're a Bush fan, don't worry, only one thing is written about Bush and it's actually a compliment (that's right, a compliment)!

Another thing that is mentioned in the book is corporate welfare. I didn't even know that it existed until I read this book. It is a very interesting question that Moore asks - why are we so mad if a person who is hungry needs social welfare but we couldn't care less if taxpayers have to pay three times that amount for a company to promote (as an example) chicken nuggets to Singapore?

Read this book, inform yourself, make a change and have fun!

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Summary: This Is Not Effective,Informed and Intelligent Progressivism
Review: Call me crazy, but I have no compunction (moral, economic or philosophical) to vote either for the Democrats or the Republicans. Many people feel righteous anger towards their elected leaders for short-changing them for everything- from the safety and security of their jobs and communities to their ability to pursue and ultimately attain the so-called 'American Dream' (whatever the hell that may be).

Moore tries to tap into this anger at the powers-that-be with this book. While at times funny and other times insightful, it is very clear that he is trying to preach to those groups that may with very good reason feel left behind or ignored by the New and Improved American Economic Miracle Machine. Though he vents much frustration, particularly felt by individuals in urban communities whose economies have literally been hollowed out by both government and corporations, Mr. Moore offers nothing in the way of solutions.

The book throughout reads much like many populist texts on the 'environment'(whatever that means)- which merely rehash the same tired explanations of the same problems, and ultimately end by offering the same old tired solutions and exhorting the reader to make his or her voice heard (writing letters to his or her congressman) by becoming politically active. Same old problems, same old solutions, same old outcome- absolutely nothing changes.

Moore tries so hard not to offend minority groups, and not to offend gender groups that one has to really wonder if he truly walks the walk or is just one of those that likes to talk the talk only. Moreover, shameless ad hominem attacks on rival political parties does not in my mind serve as proof that he and other Progressives are fair, honest and non-discriminatory.

In sum, I stand by my assertion that this book, and his subsequent book Stupid White Men, are not good examples of effective, informed and intelligent Progressivism. It is one thing to get people riled up and call for action; it is quite another to take effective action for real, meaningful and beneficial change.

I for one would like to see Mr. Moore and cohorts talk less and do more. While their political rivals continue to yuk it up and engage in counter-productive activities (pointless wars, rapacious pillaging of the state coffers, malicious theft of civil liberties, just to name a few), it would be nice to see for once informed and intelligent Progressives engaged in activities that lead to meaningful and beneficial change for everyone, not just some moneyed special interest group.

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Summary: Michael Moore makes sense
Review: Michael Moore discusses corporate downsizing, American politics, social values, and national economic concerns like no other in his book, "Downsize This." Michael Moore should not simply be dismissed as a crazy liberal because what he says makes sense.

Moore doesn't mince words in this book (fist published in 1996 but still very realistic in 2004), Moore tells Americans how we can take action. Don't just sit there and let the corporate bigwigs fire you only so they can make a big bag of money.

What's the fuss all about? Most of conservative America thinks Moore should shut his big mouth and stop writing books like this because he is a rich white man. But Michael Moore doesn't play by their rules. He has a conscience and he knows right from wrong.

This book won't help you pay your bills or find you a job if you got recently laid off (like myself) but it will help explain the situation and state what YOU can do. Just because we don't play by their rules doesn't mean that we can't make a difference. Remember that & remember that Michael Moore makes sense.

Rating:
Summary: Moore Should Stick to Filmmaking
Review: As a writer, Moore makes a very good filmmaker. While there are certainly some good points and humorous moments in this book, I found it largely to fall flat. I acknowledge that this is his first book attempt, but I would suggest reading The Winner Take All Society, Race to the Bottom or something by Krugman, if you're really interested in looking at socioeconomic problems in this country.