Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them

Doctrinaire right-wingers may hate and even avoid this examination of contemporary political conservatism, but they shouldn't. There's something important to learn here--not so much about antiliberal perfidy, as the author intends, but about the tricks used in political discourse by liars of all persuasions. In addition to large dollops of sarcasm and irony, Franken uses thorough research and common sense to uncover spin, half-truths, and downright fibs that TV, politicians, and the press feed us every day. If you've seen him on the tube, you know his sound, which either you like or you don't. Unlike other comics who read their own books (for example, Whoopi Goldberg and George Carlin), Franken has not stiffened up at the microphone. In fact, his energy and spontaneity don't flag anywhere in the 10-hour recording. Occasional readings by actor friends are a welcome addition to the printed text. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2004 Grammy Award Winner for Best Spoken Word Album, 2004 Audie Award Finalist (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

Starred review from November 3, 2003
This witty, scrupulously researched and expertly delivered audio production accomplishes what few nonfiction audio books manage to do—it realizes the full potential of the format. Even those who have already read Franken's book should take the time to listen to this superb audio adaptation, which is enhanced by Franken's impeccable sense of comic timing, eerily precise impersonations and inclusion of source materials. In the most compelling section, for example, Franken juxtaposes two revealing clips to illustrate his view that the late Senator Paul Wellstone's memorial was "cynically distorted for partisan political advantage" not by the Democrats, but by the Republicans. The first clip is from Rush Limbaugh's radio show, where he proclaims in a heavy, lugubrious voice, " wrenched Wellstone's soul right out of the grave, assumed it for themselves and then used it for their own blatant, selfish political ambitions.... Show me where the grief was!" Franken follows this with an excerpt from the memorial—which will bring tears to the eyes of any listener, partisan or non—in which David McLaughlin pays tribute to his younger brother, Will, who was Wellstone's driver, bodyguard, adviser and "the one who kept Paul going." By turns sad, funny and serious (but always satirical), this audio book has all the entertainment value of fiction (and even a one-act play called The Waitress and The Lawyer based on one of President Bush's radio addresses), but the issues Franken raises will stay with listeners long after their laughter has died down. Simultaneous release with the Dutton hardcover.

Starred review from February 1, 2004
Franken returns to the political arena with his best book yet. Along with the 14 Harvard students who make up "Team Franken," he employs a somewhat unique approach in writing this work: fact-checking and research to back up his satirical look at the right. The first major target he tackles is the myth that the media are liberal; a brief look at the 2000 presidential election debacle should be enough to convince most rational people to the contrary. Fortunately, Franken has many more examples. His appearances on C-SPAN have shown what happens when conservative talk-show host Bill O'Reilly tries to use his vocal bullying tactics on a professional satirist. The author covers this event and other media misrepresentations with wit and humor. The chapters on Bush's tax cuts, environmental record, and the ongoing war will help convince the listener that it wasn't just Al Gore who was bushwhacked in Florida. Sure to be a hit with Franken's many fans, this program is highly recommended for all libraries. For those not blinded by the right, this will serve as a wake-up call to look further than the local paper or TV news coverage for topics that matter.-Theresa Connors, Arkansas Tech Univ., Russellville

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.