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Rating: 
Summary: Solid, but sometimes dull
Review: Brock explores the history and structure of the right wing propaganda machine, and its impressive success in influencing mainstream media. The book has two principal virtues: it goes into history, tracing the right from the Goldwater era, thereby including much valuable material not found in some similar volumes which focus more exclusively on events of the Clinton/Bush years. This gives the book a distinct and more thoughtful perspective. And it shows the endless interconnections of the various people and organizations discussed in substantial, occasionally numbing detail. By the time you finish this book, you will realize that Hillary's famous 'vast right wing conspiracy' is very real. The main fault is that it is often overly partisan and indulges in some gratuitous attacks. For instance, Kevin Phillips is spoken of as being influenced by two obscure Italian writers I've never heard of, who Brock says were also major influences in Fascism. Offered without further elaboration, this amounts to nothing more than a cheap exercise in guilt by association. Compared to the similar books by Franken and Conason, this one has, as I noted, more detail and more historical perspective. It isn't written as well, and certainly lacks the humor of Franken. It also focusses more on media and propaganda and has little exploration of issues and policies, except those, such as the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine, that relate specifically to the media. (Perhaps the most comparable to this book would be the recent book by Alterman, which I haven't read.) Conason is far more interested in broad policy questions, while Franken's book, the most entertaining but a disorganized grab-bag, bounces unpredictably between media criticism, satire, and serious policy argument.
Rating: 
Summary: An Insider's View Of The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
Review: David Brock knows whereof he speaks, having been a highly paid member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy. Fortunately for the country, he has changed his ways and is now seeking to make amends for the damage he and his former cohorts have done. The Republican Noise Machine, like its predecessor Blinded By The Right, gives names, dates, and places in stunning detail of the ways in which the Right Wing has seized control of a significant portion of the media resources of our nation. Using their access to the airwaves to spew propaganda, the Right Wing has sought to set the political agenda of this country as effectively as Goebbels managed the Third Reich's news organs. To a frightening extent, they have succeeded so well that truly "fair and balanced" reporting is threatened. Brock gives example after example of how dissenting points of view are drowned out or squeezed to the sidelines, how the party line is set by the powerful and transmitted verbatim to the faithful, and how ruthlessly opposition is squelched. The true victims,besides the truth itself, are the honest, honorable citizens who are misled and manipulated. Fortunately, Brock and a few other brave souls have taken on the job of exposing this power hungry, hypocritical media machine. With daylight, it is to be hoped, the shadows threatening us will withdraw.
Rating: 
Summary: Sleaze
Review: For someone who accuses conservatives of getting the facts wrong and lying, Brock has problems with the truth as well. He manages to get biographical information wrong in about half the sections I checked for accuracy and seems particularly nasty in writing about conservative women. Brock's misogyny is well-documented. This guys has a problem with women of all political stripes. Who can forget his egregious inclusion of a story about Hillary Clinton sending state troopers out to buy tampax for her when she was First Lady of Arkansas back when he was hacking for the right in American Spectator magazine? Whether you agree or disagree with his politics, David Brock's sleazy brand of journalism has no place in serious political discourse.
Rating:
Summary: Love It or Hate It, It's That Simple
Review: How you feel about this book depends on where you're coming from. If you're intelligent, well-read, informed and you care aobut the direction that society is taking, and you're frustrated with the direction that American "journalism" has taken, you'll find much to agree with in this book. If you are a victim of the phenomenon that this book discusses, you aren't going to even read this book, though you may publish a negative review on Amazon. For the first group, I'd recommend this book. It brings a historical perspective to the right-wing propaganda machine that controls big media (while putting forth the undeniably silly idea that the media are "liberal"--a superset of "objective"). For the second group, I'd recommend you skip this book and concentrate on "Hooked on Phonics" so you'll be ready for Anne Coulter's next incoherent screed.
Rating:
Summary: BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT
Review: I just got this book and can hardly put it down! Absolutely fascinating. Thank you, Mr. Brock, for turning away from the Dark Side, and for writing yet another very interesting tome. I'm learning so much! You can learn too. Mr. Brock documents how in the last several decades the GOP built a powerful media machine -- newspapers and magazines, think tanks, talk radio networks, op-ed columnists, the FOX News Channel, Christian Right broadcasting, book publishers, and high-traffic internet sites -- to sell conservatism to the public and discredit their opponents. Brock also clearly shows how this disproportionate conservative influence in the media is integrally linked to the Republican Right's current domination of all 3 branches of government. Ever wonder where Rush gets his material and talking points for his radio show? Ever wonder why there are so many Rush copycats on the radio? Read the friggen book already.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting and a little frustrating
Review: The author's passion for his subject is clear, but that passion could have benefitted from a more ruthless editor. Other reviewers have commented on the "stream of consciousness" nature of many of the examples and the somewhat tortured sentences that result. I agree, and I also find that this passion often bleeds over into ad hominem attacks of the kind that he so carefully documents as coming from the Right. This is definitely not a book for the uninformed. While it would certainly be possible to check all of the incidents Brock documents, some familiarity with the topics and subjects included would help the reader. All in all, I have enjoyed this book. Brock's tracing of the right wing's influence over the media back to the 1960s is well done. I would say, though, that Brock's complaints about the right highlight what I see as a shortcoming of the political left during the current campaign. Many supporters of John Kerry claim that they are only voting AGAINST President Bush, not for the Democratic Party. If that is so, then shame on the Democrats for not getting a more coherent message out. Instead of just complaining about the well- organized and well- financed conservative media bloc, liberals should get out there and push their own message with conviction. This does not have to devolve into the "if you disagree with us, you are a traitor" Fox News line of crap. A thriving democracy depends upon informed discussion from all sides.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: There is nothing more scary than the new right and their moral majority. The radical right is a threat to our democracy true evil indeed. David Brock does an excellent job in bringing the harbringers of evil Hannity, Fox News, OReily, Rupert Murdoch, Jerry Faulwell,Limbaugh, Ann Coulter etc to our attention.
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