Rate this book

The Backlash: Right-Wing Radicals, High-Def Hucksters, And Paranoid Politics In The Age Of Obama (2010)

by Will Bunch(Favorite Author)

3.52 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0061991716 (ISBN13: 9780061991714)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Harper

review 1: A book full of fascinating information, interviews, and smart investigative journalism nearly done in by the author's obnoxious style and voice. When conservatives talk about arrogant, elitist, patronizing east coast intellectuals, Will Bunch is who they're referring to. His closing-chapter plea against "elitist condescension" is nearly paralyzing in the cognitive dissonance it evokes. 4 stars for the content, 1 star for the style.
review 2: I enjoyed reading this book mostly because it does a really good job of breaking down Glen Beck and his particular profit-driven brand of sensational fear/paranoia mongering. I have no qualms saying that more than any other figure on the right that man is toxic not only to his listeners, but to the entire political discour... morese going on in this country. Especially because he is "educating" people about history which is so off the mark and often straight up wrong. I once heard him say on his radio show that the turning point of the Civil War was a time in 1863 that Lincoln called for a day of national prayer...uh huh. Oh, also, all the founding fathers were in no way secular and envisioned this as a christian nation. Wrap your head around that.The part I really don't like about this book is that the author is doing something that can be done (is done) to any grass roots political movement: he is taking its most vocal, most outrageous, most ignorant elements and holding them up as if they are typical of all of those participating. I have experienced this through my personal involvement with anti-Iraq war organizing and Occupy Oakland. In these cases I witnessed a diverse mass of humanity most of whom had legitimate grievances and appeared to be rational people, but if you turn on the TV or read anything by opponents you would have the impression that the whole gathering is only mask wearing, rock throwing, extreme left zealots. Also, the writers style is so weird that I had a really hard time with it. I could never tell when he is doing it, or I am, or someone else is...you'll see what i mean if you read it. less

Download links for: The Backlash: Right-Wing Radicals, High-Def Hucksters, and Paranoid Politics in the Age of Obama

Advertising