Michael Moore (1) (1954–)

I love Michael Moore's documentaries - they are funny, reflect on real events and always get my mind moving. With that in mind, picking up this book just seemed so natural! I found a copy at a local charity book sale and I figured, why not read it?

Unfortunately, I didn't love it as much as I thought I would have. I really think this book would have been better in film form (for me, anyways). I loved Michael's unique and funny style of crafting the narrative in this book but I just couldn't keep a hold on it. I had to read it a little bit at a time, and some of it just went over my head (that's what I get for keeping up with Canadian politics instead of American).

This book takes a look at the September 11th terror attacks and all the strange occurrences around it. The highest praise I can give this book is that it really got me thinking, and that is high praise!! Not often do I get to pick up a book that makes me think and connect the dots. The funny commentary made it even better since it didn't make the book feel like a textbook. If I had history classes with this sort of humor then I would have loved those classes!

In my opinion, this book is in a niche market. People are either going to get butt hurt over the funny commentary laced with terrorist attacks or they are not going to understand the humor. Michael Moore has a very specific sense of sarcasm that some people just don't get. I do think this is a great book and if you enjoy Michael's past work, then you'll enjoy this one! If you're easily offended, this book won't be for you!

Three out of five stars!… (més)

Michael Moore vägrar helt enkelt att hålla käften och försvinna, trots att det säkert är många amerikanska republikaners högsta önskan. I Lägg ner! Spridda hotelser från en obeväpnad amerikan ger Moore sig på olika aspekter av det amerikanska samhället. Han föreslår nya sätt att utse presidenten (bland annat ?Gladiatorerna? och tjurrusningen i Pamplona) och att folket skulle rösta på lobbyisterna istället för på politikerna. Han listar de storföretag som i själva verket är de största socialbidragstagarna, han argumenterar för spermiens rätt till liv och ber Nelson Mandela att komma och rädda USA. Han är rolig, elak och alltid på sin vakt. Ingenting slipper förbi hans granskande öga.… (més)

Moore’s films, but this book wandered into some strange alleys. He is really pissed at the Bush admin here and pushing for a 2004 upset. He’s also really angry at the Democrats for not being effective.

I learned about some despicable capitalist practices, such as ‘dead peasant insurance’ aka ‘dead janitor insurance.’
Because the term liberal was poison at the time, he pulls out the dictionary and explains what it means and that most people hold that life attitude, without admitting the term to themselves. Then he explained to a nominal business owner why liberal policies would benefit his bottom line. It was a good argument.

Finally, he suggested local “I Voted” lotteries for the evenings of election days, in order to encourage voter participation. He’s done this in Michigan with prizes of $1000 or even a car in one instance.… (més)