Rating: 
Summary: A Rarity in Today's Market - Assumes the Reader can Think...
Review: Although I'm not a listener of Ronn Owens (I avoid talk radio at all times), a friend of mine suggested I read this book. I was impressed with how Owens positions on various issues were well thought out, and can see why the title features the word "reason." Sadly, this book is a rarity in today's market, as both left and right tend to come across baldly thumping their viewpoints, assuming the reader is either stupid or already on their side and needs reassurance that they have chosen correctly. Owens lets the reader make his or her own decisions, only asking that they make a considered choice.
Rating: 
Summary: Save your money!
Review: Anyone who has listened to Ronn's show for any amount of time can save their money on his book. He just repeats the same old observations and philosophies that he talks about on his show every week. Nothing,at all, new here. Ronn should stop writing books and start reading a few; he is the least prepared talk-show host in the Bay-Area. He praises the Drudge Report, Fox News, and Rush Limbaugh but has nothing but distain and ridicule for people on the left. Especially if they were against the rush to war.
Rating:
Summary: Loved this book!
Review: Finally ... a book written for the rest of us! Ronn Owens offers a common sense approach to the issues, not just the spin The Right and The Left offers. I've listened to Ronn's radio show for a few years now and he proves that being moderate is far from wishy washy. His book is thoughtful, deliberate and fair. Whether you're a conservative or a liberal, or middle of the road, you'll find yourself nodding in agreement as you read this excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: Yay, for Ronn!
Review: Finally some common sense!
After reading some of the reviews listed here for Ronn's book I had to do one of my own. Some of the negative opinions and reviews went a bit too far! I have a feeling that most of the hostile reviews were done by a few cantankerous listeners of his radio show and I truly question whether or not they even read the book.
If you listen to his radio show or read his book, you will find he has an impact on you whether you agree with him or not.
Of course I might not be in accordance with ALL of Ronn's ideas and views, but I respect and appreciate they way he delivers them in this book and on his talk show. I highly recommend this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Can't seem to find the voice of reason
Review: I can't really add too much to some of the criticism here, but I can throw in an anecdote that will perhaps illustrate the hypocrisy that is Ronn Owens. This book purports to be the voice of the center, but that self-styled description comes from a man who plainly states that he can't support Wesley Clark as a democratic presidential candidate simply because he is endorsed by Michael Moore. Where is the reason in that? Ronn isn't interested in what Clark actually stands for or what's on his platform. Blind hatred of the far left Moore removes his ability to reason, which is the supposed cornerstone of this book. Ronn has supportive blurbs on the back of his book (and the foreward) written by some heavy hitters in politics - some of whom I dislike intensely. But I wouldn't judge Ronn based on their endorsement of his book. That's what reason's all about. I think you'll find deep consideration of issues gives way to superficiality and clouded judgement in this book. There is a certain amount of entertaiment value, but don't expect the level of discourse that you might find in more serious political writing.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reading!!
Review: I enjoyed this book thoroughly and highly recommend it to everyone! I have been listening to Ronn for many years, and he truly is a centrist. I think some of the bad reviews were from people who are too far to one side or the other and have forgotten where the center is. However, Ronn is truly there. He weighs both sides of an issue and looks at it from more than one side and explains it well in this book! Even when I don't agree with Ronn, he explains the other side well. He isn't so stuck on one side, that he can't see or admit when the other side is right, which happens much of the time these days, and which I seem to think is where the bad reviewers have a hard time with it. They resort to name calling and labeling if someone does not agree with them. Something that Ronn doesn't ever do. Very much a voice of reason, Thanks Mr. Owens for an excellent book!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A Friendly, Calm Voice.
Review: i have been listening to Ronn on KGO when i lived in SF, now mostly on internet since i left SF. this book is really a recap of Ronn's messaging for years. the thesis of "middle ground", "compromise" and "pragmatic" is central to Ronn's entire presentation, both on radio and in this book. the messaging is unique as most political pundits are either left or right, hardly anyone in the middle. i am also surprised that KGO did not syndicate Ronn's program nationwide as this "middle of the road" ideology should be interesting to all. back to this book. as an ex-san francisco resident, i love this book as it relates to my experience very well. many seven though i read many of Ronn's stories multiple times on the Chronicles and Examiner, i still enjoy reading how Ronn shared his version with us. Ronn's penmanship is like his speaking mannerism, very friendly, calm and gentle. none of that yelling to you face or any demeaning style. if Bill O'Reiley is yelling to your face telling you to clean up your act and Michael Moore is whinning, telling you how everybody is stupid....Ronn is in his usual humble, willing to listen and even if you disagree with him, Ronn will nicely thank you for your thoughts. total gentleman. reading this book, i have a feeling like talking to an old friend..... as to the star rating. i failed to give the book 5 star. i cut one star for the fact that this is very much a San Francisco centric book (case in point, over 1.5-2 chapters is on the recall). it will resonate well among san franciscans. however, if i was from peoria, i do not know if i can relate very well to the discussions. since i bought this book in oregon and i assume this book is intended for national if not worldwide audience, i think the appeal of book may diminish when it goes true national. anyways, a good book from a good guy Ronn Owens. by the way, Ronn, just that you read this, OJ did NOT do it. let's find a middle ground on this......
Rating:
Summary: You Tell 'Em Ronn!
Review: I have been listening to Ronn Owens on KGO for years.
Insightful, funny and always thought-provoking, Ronn's book "Voice of Reason" is pure Ronn.
Ronn's like most of us, not all liberal not all conservative but a mixture.
Informative and "fair and balanced," "Voice of Reason" is a great read!
Thanks Ronn!
Rating:
Summary: Simpleminded pragmatism
Review: I like my pragmatists logical and my centrists firmly planted in the center, but you won't find that here. I've been listening to Ronn since he came to SF decades ago when I was a kid. I used to love listening to him, but he's changed since his failed attempt to break into the LA radio scene. He's openly moved from being a liberal to a "centrist" - a term which is apparently simply a euphemism for "conservative apologist". And his particular brand of "reason" comprises a pseudo-pragmatic approach to politics that often ignores important facts in an attempt to simplify difficult issues. I find this naive blindness to political realities and his overemotional approach to problem analysis unpalatable, especially given how good Ronn used to be and how experienced a veteran talk show host like him ought to be. The book is pretty much just more of the same, if not more vacuous. If you are unsure that you will like the book, tune into his radio show on the air or on the Internet. Listen for a while to one of his political segments, and you won't even need to buy the book whether or not you like his show. It's basically a live version of the book.
Rating:
Summary: An absolute MUST READ
Review: If you like talk radio presented in Jerry Springer-like histrionics then Ronn Owens -- and his book -- is not for you. But if you like common sense and reasoned arguments, without all the mudslinging you get from the right and the left, then you'll enjoy Voice Of Reason as much as I did. The style in which Ronn Owens writes makes for easy reading. He hits the mark right on with most of his observations, and even the ones I disagreed with made me think. Which means the author did his job. Excellent book.
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