Rating: 
Summary: Good food for thought
Review: Maher's book was very eye-opening for me, especially
the section on "Why They Hate Us". Suggestions for fighting
terrorism by conserving gas and other sources of energy,
as well as thinking twice before buying diamonds, is
something that all Americans should seriously consider. The patriotism and "who is a hero" is interesting as well.I didn't like Maher straying into the drug issue (although I agree with his points), and at times he is overly-critical of America, trying to cover EVERYTHING that is wrong with our country in one short book. The format of putting his most provocative statement from each chapter in large print at the end of the chapter was plain laughable. It suggests the reader isn't actually reading the full content. Although I just gave it 3 stars (it's almost a four), I think it is overall a good reality check for Americans.
Rating: 
Summary: Engage your brain
Review: I'll admit to sorely missing Maher's show, not because I agree with all or even most of what was stated, but rather because the show brings up topics that *need* discussion. This book is a nice summary of many of the points presented on the show - agree with them or not, I don't care; what I *do* care is that we all *think* about what we read about in the news. Engage our brains.
Today, we are buried in "reality" shows that are anything *but* (set up a totally unrealistic situation that blatantly caters to the lowest attributes of people, pitting them against each other - not in a purer sense of athletics or academics, but in a nasty, backstabbing way - and then shove a camera up front and close). If you enjoy mindless drivel - Survivor, Bachelor, Mole, Big Brother, ..., ... - then stay in your stupor, feeling better about yourself through the travails of others. If you want to actually engage your mind, reading this book is one of many things you can constructively do. Every time we talk about a tough problem, we move toward a solution.
Rating:
Summary: Convincing, Sincere, but Politically Flimsy.
Review: The latest book from television talk show host, writer, and generally funny, cynical guy Bill Maher was inspired by U.S. government World War II posters which showed how ordinary citizens could help the allied war effort. The title itself is a take on the poster, "When You Ride Alone, You Ride With Hitler", designed to encourage Americans to conserve oil needed for the war. This is essentially the premise of Maher's, "When You Ride Alone..."; to tell us how we as citizens can help the U.S. war on terrorism (though he also discusses a number of related and unrelated topics). Maher typically spends 2-4 pages discussing a different issue in each of the 30 or so chapters. At his best, Maher's arguments are articulate and convincing. In particular, his argument that both political leaders and citizens complicitly perpetuate terrorism: The citizens' gluttonous consumption of gas and oil (and everything else for that matter) perpetuates terrorism by funding oil producing countries like Saudi Arabia who fund terrorist organizations. Politicians are also responsible for refusing to ask voters for any kind of conservation or sacrifice (for fear of losing votes). It's difficult to disagree with Maher's reasoning, and with his general assertion that most Americans have become lazy, ignorant, and spoiled children. Despite his censure, Maher is true patriot who criticizes because he cares. "When You Ride Alone..." is more useful to those aren't familiar with Maher than to those of us who watched Politically Incorrect regularly. At least 3/4 of the topics covered Maher has already discussed ad nauseam on his cancelled TV show. There really isn't anything new here, and that's disappointing after Maher's extended media absence. While I agree with his perspective on many issues, Maher's over generalizations and occasionally funny approach makes it sometimes difficult to take him all that seriously (this was also a problem after his show moved to ABC). In the end, "When You Ride Alone..." is an entertaining, but politically scrawny little book. This is unfortunate because Maher has the intelligence and wit to produce something much more substantial. [Those looking for a more thorough discussion of the issues would probably be best served to look elsewhere.] "When You Ride Alone..." is a fairly enjoyable, but mostly forgettable read.
Rating: 
Summary: ...
Review: Maher hits on almost as many points as he misses--not unlike his very politically correct Politically Incorrect television show. The man has a brain, but he's just mixed up. His book is overloaded with the usual leftist silliness he shares with Michael Moore et al, but he also strikes a cord of common sense from time to time. Is it worth [the price]? No, but it is worth a read both for the small portions of common sense it occasionally doles out and for the insight it provides into the minds of emotional thinkers.
Rating:
Summary: Maher on the "War"
Review: When reading this book I thought Maher was extactly right when speaking about religion and the war. He points out that religion has everything to do with terror. As a liberal I found his "I don't respect religion" comments to be right on. Fairy tales and myths along with circular logic have doomed the world and American politics. The extreme right with their politics dictated by their interpretation of nonsense have taken control of the adminstration. Maher's next book should examine the role of Religion in America in his own special way. Great book
Rating: 
Summary: Another Clinton Apologist! 8 years + 6 bombings = no action
Review: Bill Maher TV show should have been called Politically Correct. Maher is a lefty stooge who spends some of his time hanging out at the Playboy mansion with Hef. The good news is Hef's "empire" is losing money hand over fist so Maher will eventually have to go out and find his own whores. Maher constantly parroted the Democratic Party line on his incredibly lame TV show. This book is another DNC cut & paste job. Maher fails to address the Clinton open border policy & the uncontrolled immigration policies which was a primary cause of 9-11. Mr. Atta, 9-11 terrorist leader, laughed at the joke security & INS polocies at Miami airport. During the same period of time, the Clinton's INS devoted a huge amount of resources to catch Elian Gonzalez. Meanwhile, Atta was slipping in and out of the U.S. through Miami airport & laughing his head off. In addition, Maher fails to address why Clinton failed to do anything after we were bombed 6 times and ambushed once by Al Qeada. Clinton sent Louis Freeh's corrupt FBI to investigate and did nothing else. Clinton felt bombing Kosovo for 70 days would get Monica off the front page. Tackling Al Qeada or a real threat might hurt Clinton poll numbers. Bill Maher never addresses why 9-11 & Bin Laden happened, he just make more excuses for Bill Clinton and blames SUV drivers. Avoid this garbage. Maher proves in his tome that he really is a sleazy character.
Rating: 
Summary: Read it even if you don't like Bill Maher.
Review: I often passionately disagreed with Bill Maher's arguments on "Politically Incorrect." However, I often agreed with him, too. This book follows suit. Some of the things he writes really make me dislike him. But then I turn the page and find myself nodding my head the other way. Overall, I found this book to be a devastatingly accurate criticism of contemporary American society, and a timely warning that we should not and indeed cannot go on living the way we currently live.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST BOOK OF 2002
Review: If you feel like you're part of a silent majority (we hope) of Americans that haven't been able to find their voices over the past decade or you are still looking for ideas when it comes to making new year's resolutions, this book is for you. Nothing I have read in a long, long time offers more wisdom into why and how far removed we have become as a nation and people from some of our fundamental values, principles and goals. Bill Maher's trademark passion, intelligence, wit and, yes, irrevernce, are all amply displayed on these pages. For anyone who truly cares about America and our place in the world into the future, this is truly a gift that keeps on giving, without pontificating. I can't think of a more important or hopeful book for teenagers and young adults or, for that matter, for everyone who still has an open mind about these great United States overseas. Can you imagine the powerful message we would sending the world, if this book climbed the bestseller lists and stayed at #1 indefinitely? That's where it belongs in my book.
Rating:
Summary: Send Ari and ABC a copy
Review: Yes. Land of the free... The patritrance is clearing. Finally there is a cascade of books printed in 2002 that weren't politically correct pre anniversary 9/11.(thank goodness for the internet) This one is honest patriotic scathing wit. Historically hysterical and courageous social political commentary, slapping the plain truth into an apathetic odious hypocritical "I got mine screw you jack" global "free" market hegemonic world. This the eve of destruction and a bleak future is all but guaranteed. The powers don't want to change the rules of the game and humanity is anticompetitive and unprofitable to geopolitical domination. The truth hurts, my gut hurts so much from laughing and crying. Great read. Got to go, I have to find a carpool for a New Year resolution?
Rating:
Summary: Sensational - a MUST READ
Review: Bill is saying what our politicians might say if they COULD. Speaking what's on his mind, Maher is nearly always on target. His show Politically Incorrect was one of the best on TV.
I miss hearing his on-the-mark commentary. If you're open minded and can take the truth - buy this book!
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