Dude, Where's My Country?

Plenty of liberal scholars, entertainers and pundits have railed against the hoodwinking of the American people, but Michael Moore's Dude, Where's My Country? stands out for its thoroughly positive perspective. He says America has been tricked by Republican lawmakers and their wealthy corporate pals, who use a combination of concocted bogeymen and lies to stay rich and in control. Moore is angry and has harsh words for George W Bush and his fellow conservatives concerning the reasoning behind going to war in Iraq, the collapse of Enron and other companies, and the relationship between the Bushes, the Saudi Arabian government and Osama bin Laden. But his book is intended to serve as a handbook for how people with liberal opinions (which is most of America, Moore contends, whether they call themselves liberals or not) can take back their country from the conservative forces in power.

Moore uses his trademark brand of confrontational, exasperated humour skilfully as he offers a primer on how to change the world view of one's annoying conservative blowhard brother-in-law, and he crafts a surprisingly thorough "Draft Oprah for President" movement. Refreshingly, Dude, Where's My Country? avoids being completely one-sided, identifying areas where Moore believes Republicans get it right and making some cutting criticisms of his fellow lefties. Such allowances, brief though they may be, make one long for a political climate where the shouting polemicists on both sides would see a few more shades of grey. Dude, Where's My Country? is a little bit scattered, as Moore tries to cram opinions on Iraq, tax cuts, corporate welfare, Wesley Clark and the Patriot Act into one slim volume--and the penchant to go for a laugh sometimes gets in the way of clear arguments. But such variety also gives the reader a broader range of his bewildered, enraged yet stalwartly upbeat points of view. --John Moe

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More from Moore - Rated
This is a very funny book in which Moore take great pleasure in bringing down everything that America holds dear; he seems to go from one subject to another without clearly finshing everything but if you dislike politics then you should read Moore's take on it

Methinks thou protesteth too much, Mike - Rated
Since this book was written, the key future event it builds up to has passed being the second election of Bush and also the choice of Kerry as the Democrat candidate. it is fascinating with hindsight to see how many of Moore's themes as to the American psyche and that at heart they are more liberal than they realise have come to naught.

One suspects the key problem is that while Moore tells a good story in a humourous way and is able to throw in or refer to lots of facts to support his case, the core problem is an inability to understand the dynamics that allowed Bush to prosper (as shown by his subsequent election victory) and a more balanced appraisal of how Bush will fail (the US domestic eceonomy and increasing disconnect with the rest of the G8 existing already in 2004).

A passable vacation read but one that now sits in the deliver to the charity bookshop pile.

Same old stuff! - Rated
This guy must be making more money out of President Bush than the president himself is making. I wonder if he is giving all the proceeds to the third world? And does he drive a car and drink coke? I wonder. But if Mr Bush is as evil as he makes out, why hasn't he got the CIA, or someone, to bump this guy off? Would Mr Moore have survived this long if he was writing this sort of stuff about Sadam, in his day? I don't think so.

The thing is, the American voters put Mr Bush where he is. That's how democracy works. Now personally, I don't like the fact that Ken Livingstone (who used to be called Red Ken)got re-elected, or that George Bush wormed his way into power. But no-one seems to be writing about them - except positively!

Yes, most Americans probably are liberal, but they know when their country is under threat. I honestly don't believe that the left believe in democracy; they just use it because it is there.

I feel sure that England will wake up now that we are just beginning to see the true nature of the EEC, and the way irresponsible politics has left us vulnerable to terrorism. The UN and EEC are simply becoming platforms to bash America, it is cutting off one's nose to spite one's face. It is easy to attack soft targets. It is open season for America and Israel. Just check out the BBC news page. That's why the times call for courage and a belief that the tide will turn. Keep your values English men and women, and spurn this sort of cheap, hateful trash.

The real problem with Mr Bush is that he isn't a good actor. That is a prime requisite in today's politics - as well as being a liar. But the hate he receives is very ugly, and says more about his traducers than it does about him. It is all bitchy. A much better, and more informative book, is Mrs Thatcher's "Statecraft". In it she shows how the left use freedom to destroy freedom and gives a needed warning.

Informative & an eye opener as well as a bit of Bush-bashing - Rated
Micheal Moores' latest offering was informative at some level but very repetitive. It's not one of the best literary works around but does get the message across.

His anger towards the bush administration is quite evident & at times even graphic, he does a wonderful job at Bush-bashing but then again how hard is that? I have to admit, he is bold for tackling a subject matter as controversial as that but then again he had good reason to.

Some parts of the book were exaggerated - well maybe for an unembellished effect - at times it seemed as if he was pushing the envelope as far as it could logically go; it did work for some parts & others were plain outright amplification.

He kept his paragraphs short and sweet, kept his sentences shorter and sweeter. He was more concise as opposed to cryptic. But I couldn't help but wonder - solely based on his writing technique - if he can have his work published so can I. It's a while before I realized the amount of research that had gone into it.

If you are like me -a person who watches the movie before reading the book- then you would find the book boring at times, especially with the many repetitions.

Overall the book is relatively appealing although I wouldn't go to the extent of saying it was gripping. The writing style, although it was easy to read; it did feel a tad amateurish, however the book was informative & an eye opener.

Three stars for the research & one more for the boldness & subject matter.

Awful.....Shame on you Mr Moore - Rated
This book is the worst book i have ever read, quite simply I hate the way he writes, its pure opinion and a shameful act of pure Negative thought. on a positive note he does raise interesting points, that is if you can stomach the endless dribble.

Consider this if you like the Michael "Quarter ponder with Cheese" Moore stance then this book is for you. My advice is save your money and buy a well written book by real a author