Rating: 
Summary: Fairly Funny, But a "Shotgun" Approach
Review: Bill Maher has cranked out a number of clever, memorable, very funny one-liners. Unfortunately, to do this he's had to toss off a much larger number of gags that just don't work very well. The book reflects this scattershot approach to his comedy: a few gems with a lot of mediocre filler. It doesn't diminish the value of his truly hilarious comments, but you do have to wade through a lot to get to the good stuff--kind of like a Mel Brooks movie.As for the political content, I didn't make the mistake of bringing my personal politics into the process of reading political satire. If you're so hardcore that you think "I'm a Republican, so satire of Republicans can't be funny," then I pity you. Humor can and should rise above mere political affiliations, and I'd welcome equally funny material from any writer on the spectrum. Neal Boortz, for example, although I despise his politics, can be a very funny guy. So can Howard Stern. Do the "political ramifications" _really_ matter? Leave your flag and soapbox at home and approach this book the way it's meant to be approached: as political satire, often mediocre, but occasionally brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: Fairly Funny, But a "Shotgun" Approach
Review: Bill Maher has cranked out a number of clever, memorable, very funny one-liners. Unfortunately, to do this he's had to toss off a much larger number of gags that just don't work very well. The book reflects this scattershot approach to his comedy: a few gems with a lot of mediocre filler. It doesn't diminish the value of his truly hilarious comments, but you do have to wade through a lot to get to the good stuff--kind of like a Mel Brooks movie. As for the political content, I didn't make the mistake of bringing my personal politics into the process of reading political satire. If you're so hardcore that you think "I'm a Republican, so satire of Republicans can't be funny," then I pity you. Humor can and should rise above mere political affiliations, and I'd welcome equally funny material from any writer on the spectrum. Neal Boortz, for example, although I despise his politics, can be a very funny guy. So can Howard Stern. Do the "political ramifications" _really_ matter? Leave your flag and soapbox at home and approach this book the way it's meant to be approached: as political satire, often mediocre, but occasionally brilliant.
Rating: 
Summary: The low point of contemporary discourse
Review: Bill Maher hosted a show in which loud opinion was passed off as knowledge, and moral posturing used in place of reason. It was seldom interesting except to those who found a hero to mouth their own personal predjudices. Occasionally you'd see someone with some actual knowledge- but they seldom were invited back. And then there was Maher himself, posing as David Brinkley. Written down, without the smart-mouthed delivery, Maher's opinions come across as no more than poorly reasoned whining. Plenty of bitterness, but little humor or insight.
Rating: 
Summary: Politically Hillarious
Review: Bill Maher in this book always has something funny to say every other line. This book is very interesting, funny, and must of all true... Well at least most of the time. I think its safe to say that Bill Maher is a total liberalist. But one thing is true, the stupidest mornon in the world can be a extreme liberal. It takes no brains to be pro choice on everything. Although i agree with most of Bill Mahers rantings, i do believe that some times he says things even he is not sure about just to keep his extreme liberalist agenda. If you enjoy political sitire this book is your bible.
Rating: 
Summary: A man who can't lie.
Review: Bill Maher is funny because he points out the obvious, putting down people who can't see the obvious thru his jokes. It's as simple as that. One reviewer said he (or she) use to like Bill Maher but doesn't now because of his jokes on the Bill Clinton sex scandal, saying that he avoided real issues. The fact is no one should have to answer a question of the nature that President Clinton had to answer. It's his personal life. Now, President Bush, he lies about things that are important. Like stuff that affects us, and the o-zone laye too. Back to the point, this book is good, worth my money, and five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Fun compilation from the hit cable TV show!
Review: For those of you who love Comedy Central's contribution to political satire, this book is for you. For those of you who thought Al Franken's book "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot," had too many inane observations (such as Franken's solution for rising health-care costs for the elderly), this book is definitely for you. "Politically Incorrect" takes potshots at everyone, regardless of what side of the fence they're on. Granted, "Rush Limbaugh..." was meant to be funny first and foremost. "Politically Incorrect's Greatest Hits" presents real-life issues with more down-to-earth observations, incorporating biting wit in abundance. The book is presented chronologically, with each show's topic, Bill Maher's opening statement for the discussion, and witticisms from the guest panelists. I didn't feel as though there were enough comments from the guests; however, I'm sure this did pose a problem for the book's editors, because they certainly could not print the transcripts from each show--the book would have had the thickness of an encyclopedia! This is the only fault I found with the book, and it probably will not deter you from enjoying it. The pages devoted to celebrities on overblown ego trips, (the "Get Over Yourself" segments), are especially fun to read. This book could very well hit the New York Times bestseller list in the near future
Rating:
Summary: Political Correctness Ain't All It's Cracked Up To Be
Review: Funny, irreverent, thought-provoking, daring--that is this book. Bill Maher brings his unique style and wit to this compendium of installments from his hit show. Slyly observing today's issues from his own skewed perspective, Maher skewers topics such as foreign policy, American morality, supermodels, date rape, smoking and OJ. And does it in such a way that the reader will end up reconsidering the wisdom of the trend towards "political correctness." The only real problems with the book is that it only covers shows from '93-'94, and contains no substantial quotes from his guests. But, hey--that's another book! The best thing about this book is that you can read it from back to front and it still makes sense! Thank God someone has the guts to say what the rest of us think but dare not utter aloud. Irreverent, yes, but definitely not irrelevant
Rating:
Summary: This is a must buy for any fan of Politically Incorrect.
Review: Hillarious. Bill Maher's cynical approach to everything is just down right funny. Well worth the money. It has 1 page summaries about many topics that have been aired on the show.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing Ground Breaking, But a Welcome Viewpoint
Review: I am not what one may call a "Maher Fan". I find his show, Politically Incorrect, difficult to watch, as Mr. Maher repeatedly contradicts himself to maintain the impression that he is in control of the show. Apparently the man feels the name of the show doesn't merely refer to his feelings about political issues, but also to an abandonment of respect and coherency. I do, however, agree with many of his stances when they are presented in a comprehensible, and occasionally funny way. This book is OK; it's not put together terribly well, and it smacks of a Dennis Miller "Rant" format. What I appreciate the most is that Maher openly criticizes both Republicans *and* Democrats. I don't expect to get very many helpful votes for saying this, but supporting one party over the other seems severely short-sighted. Over the years the party platforms have changed and members of both have committed wrongs against us in the name of Corporate Sponsorship. Bill Maher's approach may be distasteful, but he isn't just a mouthpiece for a corporation, and that's what people really have a problem with.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing Ground Breaking, But a Welcome Viewpoint
Review: I am not what one may call a "Maher Fan". I find his show, Politically Incorrect, difficult to watch, as Mr. Maher repeatedly contradicts himself to maintain the impression that he is in control of the show. Apparently the man feels the name of the show doesn't merely refer to his feelings about political issues, but also to an abandonment of respect and coherency. I do, however, agree with many of his stances when they are presented in a comprehensible, and occasionally funny way. This book is OK; it's not put together terribly well, and it smacks of a Dennis Miller "Rant" format. What I appreciate the most is that Maher openly criticizes both Republicans *and* Democrats. I don't expect to get very many helpful votes for saying this, but supporting one party over the other seems severely short-sighted. Over the years the party platforms have changed and members of both have committed wrongs against us in the name of Corporate Sponsorship. Bill Maher's approach may be distasteful, but he isn't just a mouthpiece for a corporation, and that's what people really have a problem with.
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