Rating: 
Summary: Good for what it is
Review: It seems that most of the reviewers who hate this book are basing their opinions on political differences. It's hard to imagine that these same people purchased Ronn Owen's book not knowing what they were getting. In this case, you can actually judge a book by its cover; Ronn does point out many of the problems with the left and the right, which is what he has been doing very well as a radio talk show host for many years. Ronn has often admitted that on some issues he is more like a Democrat and on others more like a Republican. And sometimes he changes his mind. He is not a "closet" anything, and even a "centrist" must hold strong opinions. More than any other major radio talk show host, Ronn listens and responds with respect, he is informed and balanced, he gets under the surface, and he tackles the hard stuff without trying to inflame. Ronn's book is timely because of the increasing polarities in America. And remember: even the most centrist and balanced person must hold opinions on controversial topics. How can it be otherwise? Ronn is smart and knowledgeable, but he is a radio talk show host, not a politician, not a religious leader, not a scholar, and not a scientist. Don't expect him to provide all the answers (which even the politicians, religious leaders, scholars, and scientists can't do). I gave the book four stars only because I enjoy listening to Ronn live more than reading him. On the radio, he can be clever, funny, and witty. This book is a good distillation of Ronn's ideas.
Rating: 
Summary: What's finally right with left and right
Review: It was so refreshing to read a book that did not try to convince me that only the left or only the right is correct. It is possible to take a little from both worlds and have a doctrine that is not only acceptable, but realistic. Thank you, Ronn, for presenting a little of both and letting us, as thinking adults, make our own decision. I admire a person that is not afraid to speak out for what they believe -- and that is what Ronn Owen is all about! I will be sharing this book (and what great gifts!!!) with my friends and co-workers who seem to be hesitant to realize that both sides have something to offer. Thank you for taking the time and having the courage to speak out for what you believe.
Rating: 
Summary: A lame book by a shallow thinker
Review: Ronn is a Bay Area talk show institution. I have been listening to his radio show as long as I can remember, and still listen today. The show is a fun mix of politics and popular culture. The problem with his book is that there is nothing new in it if you are already familiar with his show. To tell you the truth, even if you are unfamilar with Ronn there is nothing particularly earth shaking in this book as far as his political stance. He is basically a moderate with liberal social views and more conservative when it come to the economy. The books appeal is mainly to his hard core fans but there is not much here for the serious reader. I am afraid Ronn is just cashin in on his popularity (this does not make him a bad guy!). Do listen to his show though when in the Bay Area, it is very entertaining! Also Please check out my book: : "A TOURIST IN THE YUCATAN" exciting thriller in a great local!
Rating: 
Summary: Bay Area institution, cashes in
Review: Ronn is a Bay Area talk show institution. I have been listening to his radio show as long as I can remember, and still listen today. The show is a fun mix of politics and popular culture. The problem with his book is that there is nothing new in it if you are already familiar with his show. To tell you the truth, even if you are unfamilar with Ronn there is nothing particularly earth shacking in this book as far as his political stance. He is basically a moderate with liberal social views and more conservative when it come to the economy. The books appeal is mainly to his hard core fans but there is not much here for the serious reader. I am afraid Ronn is just cashin in on his popularity (this does not make him a bad guy!). Do listen to his show though when in the Bay Area, it is very entertaining! Also Please check out my book: : "A TOURIST IN THE YUCATAN" exciting thriller in a great local!
Rating:
Summary: Voice of desperation?!
Review: Ronn Owens has been a fairly interesting, though not really top-class, talk-show host on KGO Radio. I have listened to him on a regular basis for nearly 10 years now. However, of late, he has lost quite a bit of his luster for being totally and completely wrong on Iraq. This book looks more like an attempt by Owens to salvage his tattered reputation than anything else. He was definitely a true moderate in the past but his stance on Iraq has put him in the same bucket as other right-wingers. He has probably realized it was a huge mistake but does not seem to have the grace to admit it. Instead, he is going around saying that those who opposed the war were just plain lucky and that he was just unlucky. Owens must realize that those who were on the other side were absolutely right and that he was just plain wrong. Strangely, in the very year in which he was a miserable failure as a talk-show host, he gets the Marconi award! Did he get it for his voice? One has to wonder! Owens used to be an independent thinker, but now he is more in the mould of a Dick Morris or Chris Matthews, pretending to be a centrist but actually being a right-winger. And I'm not at all surprised to see both Morris and Matthews saying nice things about Owens and his book! I will still listen to Owens' talk-show from time to time, but only when he dwells on topics like "Survivor", "Oscar awards' best-dressed and worst-dressed people", and other such light-hearted topics. As far as the more important and weighty current affairs issues, Owens has lost all credibility, in my view.
Rating:
Summary: Ronn's "center" does not exist.
Review: Ronn Owens is entertaining on the air because he is able to simplify issues and inflame listeners, so lots of folks call in with their simple responses. This does not work so well in print. Ronn does not grasp the complexity of the issues facing the country and this book, far too simplistic to be taken seriously, is one of the more vacuous things I've read recently. In fact, I could not finish it. Owens claims to be a "centrist" but now leans far to the right. He supports his centrist claim by saying that liberals see him as conservative and conservatives see him as liberal, therefore, he must be in "the center." San Francisco liberals know Ronn Owens for the closet Republican that he is!
Rating: 
Summary: When the Center doesn't hold
Review: Ronn Owens seems to have morphed from the slightly left of center Democrat who failed to find an audience in the L.A. radio market into a slightly right of center Republican who could only be "controversial" in San Francisco. Owens' claims an objectivity that isn't evident in his "liberal baiting." While I think that most of us in the real center would agree with his social views and his fiscal conservativism, he has seemingly been too well off for too long to have any real understanding of what "working people" want or need. Like Thomas Friedman of the Times Owens' in the wake of 9-11 has donned "patriatism" as a mantle, but unlike Friedman, Owens' is very provencial and fails to question what feedoms may be lost in the name of security. Moreover, Friedman is a much better writer. Whether he knows it or not at present, Owens will hem and haw and vote to reelect Mr Bush. This is a fine book if you are an Owens fan living in N California. If you aren't it may not speak to you, or to the real issue of defining the fluid political center
Rating:
Summary: Owens can't get enough of himself
Review: Ronn Owens' greatest admirer surely is himself, as he displays egomanical judgments on any subject dumped in his lap. Owens once speculated on air why other kids didn't like him in school. Obviously, he still doesn't get it.
Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: Ronn's thesis makes so much sense. I've often been amazed that no one on interview shows or in debates ever change their mind. Well, Ron takes this point and shows how much more sensible it is to be reasonable and avoid labels. It smashes the views of rigid conservatives and liberals alike with logic and clear arguements. I've listened to Ronn for almost 20 years and now that I live in San Diego try to catch him on the Internet. When a news story breaks I find myself first wanting to hear Ronn's viewpoint, because he is so rational.
Rating:
Summary: Wake me up when its all over
Review: So, the "Voice of Reason" is clearly stating the obvious -- America and Americans should formulate their own centric ideas. So what? What's postulated here is nothing new and really provides nothing enlightening or inspirational. I was an occassional listener to his AM show when I lived in the Bay Area, and its all the same in paper mode -- you can only take small amounts of it, realise its mostly egotistical (while proclaiming not to be) and offer nothing but more confusion for befuddled Americans - particularly at a time when the country is so divided.
Is this really the best that a publisher can put out there during these times?
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