Customer Reviews

Culture Warrior

5 star:		(272)
4 star:		(65)
3 star:		(32)
2 star:		(24)
1 star:		(144)

 

 

It's not the best written book, nor is it particularly life-changing, but it is surprisingly engaging and even entertaining at times. Maybe I went into this with low expectations, having formed a previous (mostly negative) opinion of the author; however I found this to be a very interesting read, if just to get his side of the story.

O'Reilly presents a clear explaination of his beliefs and what drives him, while admiting his own wrongdoings along the way, without resorting to personal attacks against those who have attacked him in the past. He makes his case with clear-cut examples, going after the usual targets, the media, Hollywood, the ACLU, and "secular-progressives;" however, where other authors who go after said targets fail to clearly present their own side as an alternative, O'Reilly succedes with a vigor, devoting entire chapters to his own "traditional" beliefs.

Sure, some of the knee-jerk reactions that his fans love and many others hate is present, but it never becomes overbearing; reading this will not cause one to toss it across the room in anger. O'Reilly remains reserved but firm in presenting his case for traditionalists.

Additionally, I was surprised at the lack of the tired "convervative vs liberal, Republican vs Democrat" arguments...he sets the record straight on why this book is actually NOT about that right from the start, and points out why those arguments are not proactive.

I would reccomend this to not only fans of O'Reilly, but also to people like me, who are political moderates, not particularly fans and have formed a negative opinion on the author based on things seen in the media (or read in an Al Franken book). At the very least, this gives a tactful impression of what he is all about, something that tends to get lost when he is on television.

Don't get me wrong. I agree with Mr. O'Reilly often and really enjoy watching "The Factor" from time to time. I also agree with his premise and data regarding left wing smear tactics and Bush bashing. But, there is also much I disagree with him on. For one, he seems to always assume guilt of the accused and is a little overzealous in his support of police power and legislating morality. I'm no bleeding heart liberal nor an advocate for being soft on crime. I side with conservatives more often than liberals but I most strongly advocate liberty and my libertarian views often clash with his staunchly conservative views.

If you don't know what O'Reilly is all about or if you are a staunch conservative, you will probably like this book. If you are independent you will find some things you like and some things you do not. If you are a liberal you will want to toss it into the nearest garbage can. Take it for what it's worth.

Sometimes you agree with him, sometimes you don't - but he always challenges your mind. And, really, isn't that the purpose of selecting controversal literature to read. Keep it coming Bill.

The Culture Warrior by Blll O'Reilly provides a reader with powerful principals for change. It is the first book I have read by O'Reilly and have found his writing to be pleasant. I found this book to be enjoyable as it describes the most effective people should be value centered, which is the key for long term success. The book went on to describe where people are dependent and need others to get what they want while independent people can get what they want by their own effort. The paradigms presented in the Culture Warrior by O'Reilly can assist individuals in their professional work and more importantly in their personal lives. I give this book a thumbs up and a must read.

It is good to have a source for information about some of the influence that money has on our country.

Mr Oreilly's insights are remarkable. His comments about S-Ps made me understand why our country has become so politically correct. Our children will be entering a complex, and competitive world. Yet, in many areas they are not allowed to keep score in athletic games because it might hurt their self esteem!! What a bunch of BS!

Should be required reading for all. No one else in the US is telling the story.

First, I must say that I would recommend Pat Buchanan's "Day Of Reckoning" over this book because he is less angry, more intellectual, & goes more in depth into the issues. This is a book about very different & often opposing beliefs of the USA & the world in general. He asks the crucial question, "who are we as a people?" He points out that if the opposing groups do not come to some sort of agreement we could in future decades come apart as a country. The author feels that the Secular Progressive folks want to turn the USA into a European style Socialist country. But, here he could have been much more specific. He delves into how this culture war with the traditionalists is happening across academic institutions, TV, Radio, the print media, & internet blogs. Such as George Soros' bank rolling left wing "air America radio", the cult of moral relativism{the what about me victim groups seeking special rights}, the womb to the tomb nanny state, teenager rights, & the ever growing secularization of religious holidays.

A personal example: a few tears ago in Macy's I said happy holiday to one of the people who work there & they said that they were told not to reciprocate because some folks get mad. That is crazy, I don't even know any atheists who would be offended by someone wishing them a happy holiday. All of these extremes are capable of changing our culture. Just think about the changes of the 1960's. Some were for the better like civil rights, & the negatives like the growth of the drug culture.

The book is divided into three parts. "The Conflict: America in The year 2020, The Culture war Where You Live, & The Struggle For The Soul Of America." The term culture war does on some level seems to fit since both sides rarely appear to agree on much. The traditionalists believe that our country was well founded & has done great things for the world. the secular progressives are hypercritical of our traditional beliefs & wish to move us closer on many levels to a European model where religion has been in decline for decades. This is not the stereotypical battle between liberals & conservatives. At the begining of each chapter are clips of certain famous people, some real others fictional. Ex's: "To conquer a nation, destroy the values of its people-Sun Tzu." George W. Bush is the greatest terrorist in the world-singer Harry Belafonte." Several chapters include interviews with folks on both sides that he has interviewed on either his TV or radio shows. He exposes the lenient sentences that many pedophiles get, & the ACLU who defends these perverts. They often believe in therapy over punishment. The last third of the book is the most crucial. He believes it can't be won in the religious sphere because the secular progressives have a near monopoly in Hollywood, the media, & academia. He feels the secular progressives have to be persuaded that traditionalism is in their best interest since it is far closer to what the founding fathers set up for our country to be. This includes far less reliance on big government, hard work, more personal & family responsibilty, & a better sense of community.

Many readers like myself{an agnostic} will find they have some beliefs of both. Though I personally think that I am 60% traditionalist, & 40% secular progressive. But, the author makes vividly clear that you can agree with aspects of both. I have often found that the differences between the two groups come from how they approach problems & life in general. It is a culture war as much about methodology as it is about individual or group beliefs. In conclusion, there is plenty of room for compromise if we try?

PREAMBLE RAMBLE

Some reviewers on this site...and some of the "reviewers of reviewers"...tend to rate products or reviews in an almost knee-jerk fashion based upon their pre-conceived ideas about certain authors or artists (or reviewers). While that is understandable, it is not particularly helpful for those who want to rely upon the quality of the reviews here. So, I respectfully ask you to read this review before you rate it; and I will do my best to make it worth your time.

BACKGROUND

Like fellow culture warriors Ann Coulter, Al Franken, Sean Hannity, Keith Olbermann, Sean Penn, and Rush Limbaugh, best-selling author and pundit Bill O'Reilly provokes a visceral reaction in just about everyone who encounters him. In plain English, either you love him or hate him, but there is rarely any middle ground.

And that's a shame, because it sometimes prevents sober, civil consideration of the content of his message.

In his latest book, O'Reilly--in his unique, bombastic, black and white, pointed way--tries to make sense of the growing divide in America between groups he dubs "traditionalists" and "secular-progressives." While I might quibble with the precision of those particular terms, I believe O'Reilly is onto something in terms of the motives and passions that drive this growing divide.

O'Reilly correctly notes that the animus is not primarily rooted in party affiliation or even in "conservative" or "liberal" labels. After all, despite what Al Franken or Keith Olbermann might say, O'Reilly himself is very difficult to label politically. Some of his ideas are certainly reflective of a conservative mindset, but others might be categorized as liberal. He has been a fierce critic of President George W. Bush on numerous fronts and he is an outspoken admirer of the late Bobby Kennedy.

To his fans, he is a no-nonsense, straight talker, who refuses to whore himself out to any politician or entity. To his detractors, he is the most irritating, arrogant bulldog in their consciousness, capable of driving them into a frothing frenzy at the very mention of his name. Is it any wonder, then, that he is the most watched news commentator on cable television?

OVERVIEW

O'Reilly's greatest strength as an analyst/pundit and author can also be his greatest weakness; that is, he is utterly self-assured, sometimes to the point of arrogance. Also, he tends to write like he speaks: blunt, sharp, "pithy," and at times, colorless. Nonetheless, he is also a very sharp and deep thinker who has the ability to take complex issues and quickly summarize them...to boil them down to their essence and clearly articulate their relevance.

He boldly, in broad brush strokes, lays out the battle lines, and fearlessly names names; particularly those who have tried to silence or bully him personally. But this book is about a lot more than Bill O'Reilly; it's about the increasingly strident debate taking place in America concerning who we are as a people, and where we are going.

I personally dislike the term "progressive" for those who are attacking traditional values. I think "secular" is accurate, but I think that rather than calling their ideas "progressive," O'Reilly should call them "corrosive." The ACLU standing up for the "North American Man-Boy Love Association" is hardly progress; it's more like perversion. But I digress.

O'Reilly does a fine job of exposing hypocrisy and in provoking some questions that certainly need to be asked. And, in an odd way, he may help heal some of the partisan political divide as Democrats and Republicans who share many traditional values take consideration of the things they actually have in common.

RECOMMENDATION

This is a very important book that will spark many needed discussions in days, weeks, and months ahead. O'Reilly is a genius when it comes to seeing and articulating issues of relevance and import, and whether you love him or hate him, this book is a window onto the mindset of millions of Americans.

If more of us could learn to read the thoughts and ideas of "the other guys," it could significantly increase our understanding of one another and perhaps even lead to redemptive dialog. For that reason, I highly recommend this book.

I remember Bill O on the Letterman show promoting this book when it came out, and Letterman seemed to think Bill and the book were unbelievable. After having read the book, borrowed from a friend, I have to say it is unbelievably bad. Bill O has an ego the size of Mt Everest. That's what I get from this book.