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I confess. I bailed on the new Franken book.

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Richardo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-02-05 09:01 AM
Original message
I confess. I bailed on the new Franken book.
The opening chapter on the election was just too painful. Then the look at Rove's depravity was too depressing.

I'm sure it gets better but I guess I'm not in the right frame of mind right now. :(
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deadparrot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-02-05 09:05 AM
Response to Original message
1. It was painful for me, too.
I skimmed it as fast as I possibly could, but it still made me sick to my stomach.

The rest of the book is good, though, if you ever want to give it another go. Especially the letter to his grandchildren. :)
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hippiechick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-02-05 09:05 AM
Response to Original message
2. That's ok ...
I've never read anything of Franken's.

He doesn't appeal to me.


:hi:
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orpupilofnature57 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-02-05 09:09 AM
Response to Reply #2
6.  " Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot " was Great reading n/t
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fasttense Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-02-05 09:22 AM
Response to Reply #2
7. You might try the books on tape. I found they come off more interesting
when I listen to them.
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Messenger Donating Member (16 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Feb-05-06 02:24 PM
Response to Reply #2
16. Take a Poll! You can vote Al Franken up or down!
Please Weigh in on these Polls about Liberal/Progressive Talking Heads.

Here's an Instant Recount Vote (IRV) poll, Best Progressive Voices in Electronic Media 2006!

And here's a 'normal' single-choice poll, Progressive Talking Heads!
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orpupilofnature57 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-02-05 09:07 AM
Response to Original message
3. I know exactly how you feel!!! Truth amid lies that are working, is painful
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demnan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-02-05 09:08 AM
Response to Original message
4. I might give it a try
"Lies" was really great, so this one can't be too bad.
In your sig line I love your Beagle pup. Now THAT really cheers me up!
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Richardo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-02-05 09:32 AM
Response to Reply #4
8. I've read 'Big Fat Idiot' and 'Lies' and enjoyed them both.
I'll pick up 'Truth' again - maybe after the 2006 elections, if we do well. Should be out in paperback by then.

Glad the beagle pup cheered you up. That's his job. :)
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AllegroRondo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-02-05 09:09 AM
Response to Original message
5. Read the last chapter - it will brighten your day
its a letter to his grandkids, from the future. Very uplifting.
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terrya Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-08-05 07:36 AM
Response to Original message
9. I understand. But do read it, Richardo.
I understand about the opening chapter being too painful. It was hard going for me, also.

But you'll like it. Franken does an excellent job explaining the Abramhoff/DeLay shit, for instance. And done...with humor.
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pstans Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-14-05 03:24 PM
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10. I have heard from a few places that the book is not as good as his last
Not as funny and not as much hard hitting info.
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flamingyouth Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-15-05 01:04 PM
Response to Original message
11. I have it but haven't read it yet.
I need light reading to help me through the busy holiday season. Just a couple of days ago I was reading a book about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and had to put it aside for the time being in order to read something, well, lighter.

I'll probably read Franken after the first of the year.
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Hello_Kitty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-21-05 09:02 PM
Response to Reply #11
13. That's the cool thing about Franken to me, though.
He can make heavy subjects light. I'm having the same trouble as you trying to get through "The Sorrows of Empire" by Chalmers Johnson. What I'm reading in there just sickens me. He can actually be pretty witty himself but it's hard to digest what a thuggish empire this country has become.
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Hello_Kitty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Dec-21-05 08:54 PM
Response to Original message
12. I recommend his books to non-political folks
He has a way of explaining complex issues simply and uses humor effectively. I'm not as enthusiastic about him on the radio as I am about his books. But I'm so glad we have people like him and Jon Stewart to provide a counterbalance against Rush and FOX that is entertaining and appeals to the public. Lefties tend to get a bit dry and wonkish and our message gets drowned out by blaring soundbites.
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SoonerShankle Donating Member (294 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-24-06 12:21 PM
Response to Original message
14. I'm midway through it right now...
and so far, the chapter where he debunks Sean Hannity and then produces a lie about him is hysterical... I like this book better than his others so far. It has really made me think about what happened in a much different light. Especially the propaganda about how the anti-gay marriage initiatives delivered the day for BushCo. I hope to finish the book within the next week... Definitely pick it back up and give it a go!
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Richardo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jan-24-06 01:25 PM
Response to Reply #14
15. Thanks, Sooner - I'll just skip around a bit.
:thumbsup:
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SoonerShankle Donating Member (294 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-07-06 01:28 PM
Response to Reply #15
17. I finally finished it!!!
Franken's letter to his grandchildren at the end feels so good. If only it could really happen this way!? Come on Dem leaders! Make Franken's letter a reality!!! :)
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LSdemocrat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-22-06 04:30 PM
Response to Original message
18. The rest of the book is better
His 2004 election stuff isn't particularly funny nor is it isn't thorough enough to be taken seriously. The rest of the book, however, is a fun read.
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frankenforpres Donating Member (763 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Apr-12-06 12:01 AM
Response to Original message
19. listen to the audio
i find with franken books that the audio versions are great ( i read THE TRUTH) but i have audio of WHY NOT ME, RLIABFI, LIES)


his reading of the books really adds a lot. i got them from audible.com. but i think lies is available to torrent if you dont want to spend the $$$
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Richardo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Apr-12-06 05:11 PM
Response to Reply #19
20. Great idea.
I can get them from the library. I think you're right - his pacing and intonation would add a lot. :thumbsup:
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CAcyclist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Apr-24-06 06:48 PM
Response to Original message
21. It's the most well-written of all his books
Actually, I was kind of like you - I didn't pick it up for months after I bought it,I started the first few pages but couldn't finish but after a few months I started reading and couldn't put it down.
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Apr-26-06 11:09 PM
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