- ISBN13: 9780786893935
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Now in paperback: The major national bestseller that the New York Times says “tosses sand on liberal sacred cows”John Stossel — award-winning journalist, tireless consumer-rights crusader, and anchor of ABC’s newsmagazine 20/20 — has built his reputation on his willingness to debunk conventional wisdom, no matter the source. In his latest New York Times bestseller, which has sold more than 200,000 copies in hardcover, he busts the myths, lies, and downright stupid… More >>
Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity: Get Out the Shovel – Why Everything You Know is Wrong
Big intrusive government is bad and the media is full of self-serving sensationalist; I’ll grant him that. As for most of the rest…get a shovel.
In the beginning of the book John suggests to the reader that they be critical of the media. I would suggest that this should apply to what John says as well.
John makes quite a few extraordinary claims but his rational and supporting arguments are very superficial and poorly researched. There is a saying that extraordinary statements require extraordinary proof.
If you already agree with John’s views, this book is probably entertaining and comforting but a bit redundant. But if you are looking for new insight, you will not find it here. John utterly fails to provide sufficient support of his claims to convince even the least critical reader. When I started the book I had a high regard for John and his reporting. By the middle of the book it was all I could do to keep reading, and will never trust anything he says again. Sadly, prior to reading this book I was a fan of 20/20.
Rating: 1 / 5
What can I say about this book? It’s truly amazing! John “The Mustache” Stossel has been an inspiration to me ever since his blatant 20/20 cheerleading for his excellency, President Bush during the 2004 campaign, and he’s at it again! And through it all, John has never lost his objectivity, nor his keen use of rigorous logic in supporting his claims. Quite simply, Stossel never resorts to cheap sound-bites or biased statistics, and his overall erudition and fairness is astounding!
But all of that is beside the point. The real value of this book lies in The Mustache’s personal story. From his heartbreaking testimonial in trying to grow a mustache after watching Dr Zhivago in Portland, through his discovering an intellectual mentor in Friedrich Nietzsche. Later, his joining the elitist Mustachio secret society in the late 80’s, through his being assaulted by a mustache-hating pro wrestler, to finally meeting fellow mustache wearers Rollie Fingers, Freddie Mercury & Tom Selleck, John’s story is an inspiring one.
The titles of the book’s chapters tell us all that we need to know:
“Why Bleeding-Heart Liberals Avoid Facial Hair”
“Only Welfare Queens Like Sideburns”
“The Federal Government Wants To Shave You!”
“Why Working-Class Losers Wear Goatees”
It burns me when I hear all of those liberals whining about The Mustache’s Libertarianism. Maybe they need to let the market work its magic, be content with their scraggily facial hair, and stop milking the State dry. As for me, I’m growing a mustache. Forget about giving me a break, I only want some pomade!
Rating: 2 / 5
A rich fat cat writing a messed up book about everything being wrong but doesn’t expect us to fix the problem. His bs shows that he has no understanding or respect for an orthodox household ! I’d rather dump some goose poo on this book rather than waste time digging dirt with a shovel with no end in sight. An earlier reviewer correctly noted that the book’s too pooped that no animal even bother laying its mess on it ! I seriously doubt Stossel himself even bothered reading his own trash such as this book or he would have SUPER-pooped in his pants already !
Rating: 1 / 5
Myth: Reformed reporters have the facts straight in their newest books
Fact: Reporters are always telling us their opinion with scanty facts and too many words.
Need I say more? I should have known after reading O’Reilly’s book.
Rating: 1 / 5
If I could choose no stars, I would.
This book is an insult to the intelligence of all.
It is full of misinformation and nonsense. I had to wonder who is paying John Stossel to write the garbage contained within.
Rating: 1 / 5