Rating: Summary: Honest and sharp. Review: Still worth reading if you haven't already. His searing take on the economy and government still holds, as things have only gotten worse.
Rating: Summary: The Truth Is, It's Not Too Awful. Review: This is Michael Moore's take on America circa 1996. A lot has happened since the publication and this book often has an unintended humor. Most of the essays are just a few pages and this is a good thing since Moore can't seem to keep a train of thought going for much longer. In 1 chapter he'll be pushing for more immigration while in the next complaining about the number of Germans in Florida. If you've seen Moore's TV shows or movies, most of the targets will be familiar and you shouldn't be disappointed. But if you were looking for a consistent message or a call to arms, you'd be better off looking someplace else.
Rating: Summary: Laid Off By A Stupid White Man? You need this! Review: A stupid white man myself, I graduated college 7 years ago, when many older Americans' were being cheated out of their retirement benefits and being downsized in mass quantities. Armed with the belief that my youth and education would carry me far, I thought I was bulletproof. Boy was I wrong! Anyone who has been let down by Big Business needs this book to make sense of what our collective greed is doing to America's workers...as well as the world.
Rating: Summary: Upsize this book Review: If you are a liberal, you will no doubt enjoy this book. If you are not, you will no doubt find it juvenile and occasionally offensive. I happen to be the former, and thought it was a very fun, quick read that made politics accessible. Though sometimes it feels rather jerky, and I often found myself wishing that the essays were longer and contained more information, I nonetheless was compelled to pick it up every time I saw it lying around. It reminded somewhat of Al Franken's _Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot_. If you're looking for fun, leftist rhetoric that won't leave you feeling too depressed, you've found it.
Rating: Summary: Conservatives really need to get a sense of humor Review: Regardless of whether you're liberal, conservative, centrist, or nonpolitical, you must agree that this book is hilarious. How can you not laugh when Pat Buchanan, America's self-proclaimed moral crusader, accepts a campaign check from the John Wayne Gacy Fan Club? Or when Moore suggests that we forget about Senators and simply vote for our favorite lobbyists?Moore guides us through the landscape of the American political and economic system, with one chapter devoted to each major issue. Although he maintains the humorous tone throughout the book, he also presents plenty of solid information of the sort that you won't hear about in the "mainstream" media. For instance, in one chapter he lists the gigantic government handouts that have been given to America's multi-billionaire "corporate welfare mothers". Moore is at his best when skewering the hypocrisy of conservative corporatists (i.e. those who brag about their patriotism while sending our jobs to Mexico.)
Rating: Summary: The voice of the little guy Review: In this book Moore shows how the political and corporate establishment has become inbred and out of touch to regular people. Most of what you see and hear is only for the benefit of the wealthy elite. Though some will claim that anyone who isn't a shill for corporations doesn't get economics, Moore shows why employees and customers have to protect their interests. The chapter on welfare mommas is a must for Limbaugh listeners.
Rating: Summary: A working-class voice in the industrial wasteland.... Review: As a working class American I can't afford to buy many new hardcovers these days, but I made an exception for both this book and it's sequal. I don't really see Mike Moore as "left wing", I see him more as representing the 90% of us who are "have-nots" in this country. In fact Moore is one of the few political writers, period, that I can read these days without without being moved to rage or vomiting. I don't agree with everything he says (such as his views on illegal immigration, or Hillary Clinton) but, hey, 99% ain't bad. Here is a man that tells the truth, sure he tells it with humor, but if you don't laugh about how badly the rich are doing it to us, you just have to cry- or foam at the mouth. I will say one thing, I was fortunate enough to get Mike to sign my copy of this book. I've personally encountered a number of Presidents, governors, generals, and celebrities, and Mike Moore was the only one that didn't make the hair stand up on the back of my neck....
Rating: Summary: Quit whining! Review: Stop crying over spilt milk, just go out and get another job!
Rating: Summary: The voice of reason! Review: In an increasingly selfish, conservative world, Michael Moore is the voice of the truth. I have usually not been sure how far left or how far right I leaned: I often agreed with the liberal view, but found the conservative view more convenient. However, I've always found that view also to be wrong... and now someone has finally reaffirmed that we need to make sweeping reforms in order to do what's right. Whether our nation cares enough to save itself remains to be seen...but I suggest anyone who cares about doing what is best for our ENTIRE country read this and his latest book, "Stupid White Men: And other sorry excuses for the state of the nation."
Rating: Summary: Doing his part to [upset] the wingnuts Review: This book is hilarious. I particularly like the chapter where he tries to get Bob Dornan commited, a riot. This book is a bit dated by now, but most of it still applies, unfortunately. His writing on corporate welfare and the way our government gives out 'payoffs for layoffs' to rich corporations is on point. Nothing has changed. Moore sticks it to democrats and republicans in this book, (he opts for the term "republicrats") but his brand of humor and truth really seems to get on conservatives' last nerve. ...which is all the better. You can see some of their silly reactionary replies here. Like Ryan Setliff from Lynchburg, VA who titles his review "For those who think a Job is a Right." He says: "They hold to a Marxist view that a job and economic security is an inherent right." Well, what's so humorous about this is not only the idea that Ryan would seemingly rather live in a country where the people can't get jobs and are economically insecure, but that it turns out that a job and economic security *ARE* actually basic and fundamental human rights. Under the leadership of Eleanor Roosevelt, The "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 and ratified by the United States. This document is basically the standard on which basic human rights are measured throughout the world, and it declares what we as individuals, and our governments, shall strive for in the modern world. Let's take a look at Article 23 of the UDHR shall we?: (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests. Well, it seems that "Everyone has the right to work". :-D Ryan is obviously full of [it]. The right to a job and economic security *ARE* in fact basic human rights, as is the right to organize in unions. Now, let's look at Article 25...: (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection. Man, Ryan's probably boiling while reading this. ...but I bet he'd kill or mame to protect this one: Article 17: (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. Yep, those others are all [garbage], but this one is right on. Nobody better touch my stuff! ...I read the book I laughed. I read these spastic sputtering reviews, I laughed again. Do the same! Josh
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