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Summary: Thank you John Stossel
Review: I enjoyed this book because I learned something about our Government, and about Mr. Stossel. I've always liked his reporting, and I even remember from Good Morning America.I liked the sections when he writes about free market vs. govt; providing better services. I also thought the report on the $330,000 outhouse in Pennsylvania was a hoot!
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Summary: A good easy read: A Libertarian Primer
Review: In his new book, Give Me a Break : How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media, John Stossel (the co-host of ABC's 10/10) discusses his past as a consumer affairs reporter and his revelation during his work that a lot of the problem in Amercia today come from huge government intruding in our everyday lives. The programs supported and paid for by you and me stifle innovation and make us less prosperous. Similar to "Who's Looking Out for You", by Billl O'Reilly, this book is a much more easy read and comes off as less preachy. The language is smooth and flowing and comes across a lot more like a converstation and less like a book of thought and ideas. Stossel discusses his early days, his battle with severe stuttering, and his early work as an investigative reporter. During his tenure at ABC he went from consumer affairs reporter to skeptic of big government. Supporters of his who loved his work when he was skeptical of big businesses, began to question his integrity when he started questioning big government. His topics range from discussing the FDA process of approving drugs, which he sees as taking entirely too long, to government regulations which cause people to be overpaid for government contracts, to the benefits of "greed". Frequent followers of Stossel will no doubt recognize many of his arguments. Many of the chapters closely follow and discuss many of his television specials like "Are we Scaring Ourselves to Death" and "John Stossel Goes to Washington" Though the book is a quick and enjoyable read, it tends to drag on a bit. Some of the chapters could be condenses slightly, as some of his arguements get repetetive. Anyone who subscribes to the tennents of a Libertarian, that is small government, free markets, and less government intrusion in your personal life will find this book enjoyable. For heavier reading I would point you toward books by Larry Elder or, if you are really looking for something heavy, Ayn Rand.
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Summary: This is a great book.
Review: I really liked Stossel's prose. He's well argued and uses great examples of what he's found as an investigative reporter to make his points. The stories behinds his news stories were very entertaining. I think this book would be great to give to someone who would benefit by learning about the basic inefficiencies of government, and about how bureaucratic government is used to benefit the entrenched bureaucracy and their patrons. It essentially communicates the fact that any organization which doesn't have to make a profit will eventually serve to perpetuate itself and increase its own power- regardless of any idealistic mandate. I plan on giving this book to all my friends.
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Summary: A good primer for a variety of outrages.
Review: This is a quick & easy read that at various moments will leave you annoyed, stunned and/or angry. He touches upon numerous topics dealing with wasted tax dollars, idiotic regulations, political mischief and more, and hopefully gives you enough of a taste of things that you'll have an interest in learning even more on your own. Of course, learning more will have you even more annoyed, stunned and angry, but you probably should be; things are really quite out of control. If you like Stossel's point of view, I'd also recommend "Reason" magazine as a good source of things to annoy, stun and anger you.
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Summary: Common Sense Gets Big Boost
Review: If you wonder whether freedom really works, John Stossel shows why the alternatives are frightening and haven't worked anyway. "Give Me a Break" is one of the most effective -- perhaps THE most effective -- popular explications of market-based thinking and policy that I have ever read. And Stossel does it in the same homey but piercing style as his television work. In fact, much of the book is based on his ABC News specials and "20/20" segments over the years, but it is not any less interesting if you have seen them all. In fact, he goes behind many of those TV programs, telling readers even more than he could put on TV and dealing head-on with some of the TV controversies. Surprisingly, he even discusses with candor his mistakes and what he learned from them. While most of the book takes to task bureaucrats, activists, politicians, and trial lawyers, Stossel also addresses philanthropy. One delightful chapter parallels his hour-long special "Greed." In it, Stossel reports on Ted Turner and T.J. Rogers and raises the comparative advantage question (although he doesn't use that or other technical economics terms) of whether successful business people ought to stay focused on creating wealth for society (like Rogers) rather than giving it away (like Turner). If you care about America and want to know what will make it better and what won't, read "Give Me a Break" and give copies to your family, your neighbors, and your elected representatives.
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Summary: Awesome, Eye Opening Book!
Review: You know a book is good when it teaches you what you already knew in your heart but just couldn't verbalize. Stossel is simply making a case that we, through the power of free markets, can run our lives better that the government, the 'experts', and the 'annointed' who think they always know what's best for us. Pretty soon, liberals will be calling for a constitutional amendment which states 'You have the right to a perfect life'. Hope you like the governmnent's version of 'perfect'.
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Summary: An important book, well-argued, common sense approach.
Review: This is an excellent, well-argued book. A fast, compelling read. I actually did read it, as opposed to a number of reviewers who just seem out to stifle free speech and free thought. And I think it does this book a disservice to think it criticizes the left exclusively. I think Mr. Stossel makes clear his criticism of the pitfalls of extremism in either direction. Neither the far right or the far left should have any claim to moral superiority. Though many would characterize his stance as "conservative", some of his arguments are complimentary to points made by the very left-wing Michael Moore who articulately rails against the alarmist media and the culture of fear they promulgate to no end. Everyone engaged in what passes for the American political discourse has an angle, whether it is a cushy pork barrel deal for some corporation or politician, or some "activist" using hyped up bad science to push an politically correct agenda to raise money to line their own pockets. Some of the author's strongest arguments: Over-regulation stifles innovation. We rely on a media that does not take the time to understand what they are reporting and how to report it accurately. Our system of government is largely corrupt and wasteful. Poverty presents a much greater threat to public health than many of the other minimally risky things that are presented to us. That tort reform is badly needed in this country. That our culture of victimization is devastating our country. That the right and the left discourage truly free-thought and free-speech. He makes many effective arguments. There are a few points in which he sketches some broad strokes and I would like to see some more fine print. But in all, this is a very balanced book. My only caveat is that the reader will most likely be demoralized by some of the truths it contains.
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Summary: Most important book you may ever read
Review: I read some of these reviews and people point out Stossels views on social issues of abortion and the right to die, etc.. This book has absolutely nothing to do with those subjects. This book is about economics and the idea of limited government which has allowed our country to advance light years ahead of others that have been around much longer than we have. Its about the liberals and Democrats who are trying to control every aspect of our lives because we dont know whats best for ourselves. Hes right on the money with this book.
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Summary: "Give Me a Break" Falters
Review: In "Give Me a Break," John Stossel shows how government's never ending attempts at "helping" always seem to have negative consequences. He compares economies with less government intereference and of course confirms that economies with less restrictions and red tape somehow prosper. Midway thru the book, however, Stossel argues at length how National Flood Insurance is counter productive because people will actually build homes near large bodies of water if they know that damages will be paid in full. Stossel admits he was a beneficiary of such Insurance himself. After his house is damaged due to water, he states with no sense of contradiction: "You paid for the house -- and its contents. I'm not proud that I took your [tax] money, but if the government is foolish enough to offer me a special deal, I'd be foolish not to take it." The next page Stossel states: "National Flood Insurance is a disgrace that should be repealed..." Toward the end of the book, he wades into various areas of morality in which his arguments are weak. Stossel spends pages and pages persuasively arguing that America's war on drugs actually has increased crime and addiction. Still, he admits that, having teenage daughters, he was initially happy that drugs are illegal. Later, Stossel spends a tiny one and a half pages arguing in favor of euthenasia. Why? Because "it's my body." This is hardly convincing and leaves out volumes. In writing this book, although he includes some charts, Stossel does very little research and relies primarily on his own reporting. Some of topics could be several books unto themselves. For those who seek an in-depth discussion, "Give Me a Break" is unfortunately not the place to start.
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Summary: welcome antidote
Review: It's a cliche, but this book should be in every high school classroom, to counter the torrent of anti-free-market thought which indoctrinates our society. Stossel gives example after example of how markets work, and how, usually, government outside its proper bounds, doesn't. This book is readable, enjoyable, makes your blood boil (after reading about our tax dollars squandered), and hard to put down.
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