August 4, 2008
With his characteristically smug, sarcastic, nudge-and-wink style, Moore shows how Democrats can score a slam-dunk in November in a guidebook comprised of half-kidding essays, all within Moore's prescribed range: wry humor, pissed-off rants and sweeping generalizations. In Moore's book, Obama's victory is a more-or-less forgone conclusion; naturally, he offers Obama a list of 10 Presidential Decrees for his First Ten Days (bring back the draft, but just for rich kids; ban high fructose corn syrup; free HBO for everyone). His opening salvo, "Ask Mike," includes questions like "Why should I vote? It only encourages them," and explanations that include a possibly inflammatory take on McCain's stint in Vietnam as a pilot and prisoner of war; Moore points out that if McCain's military service is up for discussion, why won't anyone ask what McCain did to the Vietnamese? Sure to provoke, Moore covers his back with a bibliography and an index of sound bites his right-wing opponents can attack him with ("Long live Chairman Mao!"). Readers will get what they expect; Moore's guide probably won't change any minds, but it's an entertaining, occasionally thought-provoking take on this year's big event.
September 8, 2008
With his characteristically smug, sarcastic, nudge-and-wink style, Moore shows how Democrats can score a slam-dunk in November in a guidebook comprised of half-kidding essays, all within Moore's prescribed range: wry humor, pissed-off rants and sweeping generalizations. In Moore's book, Obama's victory is a more-or-less forgone conclusion; naturally, he offers Obama a list of 10 Presidential Decrees for his First Ten Days (bring back the draft, but just for rich kids; ban high fructose corn syrup; free HBO for everyone). His opening salvo, "Ask Mike," includes questions like "Why should I vote? It only encourages them," and explanations that include a possibly inflammatory take on McCain's stint in Vietnam as a pilot and prisoner of war; Moore points out that if McCain's military service is up for discussion, why won't anyone ask what McCain did to the Vietnamese? Sure to provoke, Moore covers his back with a bibliography and an index of sound bites his right-wing opponents can attack him with ("Long live Chairman Mao!"). Readers will get what they expect; Moore's guide probably won't change any minds, but it's an entertaining, occasionally thought-provoking take on this year's big event.
Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
October 27, 2008
Undoubtedly, Moore is at his best challenging the status quo or exposing the hypocrisy of the political system, which he certainly utilizes in this short “guide” for the 2008 election. However, we also get the worst of Moore in his own self-aggrandizing proclamations. While certainly filled with relevant material every American should be considering in the upcoming election, it also repeats too much from his earlier documentary and text-based works. Moore proves particularly animated as a narrator, more so than in many of his films. His jovial and excited tone can certainly keep listeners’ attention throughout this brief production. Moore’s distinct personality enhances his material, offering a reading filled with all the sarcasm, excitement and purposeful naïveté that he loads into some of his questions and propositions. A Grand Central paperback (reviewed online).