Customer Reviews

The Real America: Messages From The Heart and Heartland

5 star:		(101)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(78)

 

 

First off..the "dog killing" joke that aired on his show and web site - can you say analogy? It was meant as a piece of biting, brutal and angry satire - meant to emphasize the hypocrisy regarding the removal of Terry Schindler Schiavo's feeding tube -A Florida woman who has lived as an invalid since suffering massive brain damage several years ago (for more information on T.S. Schiavo see her family's website...or just open a newspaper). Second, get over yourselves, that are all offended about the joke - Yes, animial cruelty is despicable and should be condemned, but human life is no less precious...let's at least take the wax out of our ears and make an effort to be well informed.

Ok...now that I got that out of the way! I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars mostly because I really wanted to read more! I don't agree with Mr. Beck 100% on everything, but I do admit that he is well spoken, intelligent and well informed. Some people are under the mistaken impression that he is another right wing extremist - but I encourage you to read (and I mean READ) his book and listen to a few of his radio shows...you will see a man that struggles with many of the same questions we all do. I also admire his unabashed patriotism, the depth of his faith and his razor sharp humor. This worth the read, you won't agree with all of it - but after all, what good does it do anyone to only expose themselves to things they agree with?

What can one say about Glenn Beck that hasn't already been said. Popular talk host. Male model. Gold Gloves champion. Nobel Prize nominee.

And now, with this book, he has succeeded in another media. Glenn Beck's inaugural effort made me weep. It's like chocolate butter cream for the soul. A look at an America where there are picket fences, flags, neighbors who care, and a whole lot of pie for everyone.

Glenn Beck is more than just an author. He's an author and a half.

Really.

My wife and I absolutely loved this book. It was funny, insightful, and thought provoking. I was amazed at the negative reviews - those people obviously did not read the book at all (or they didn't get past the table of contents).

Even if you don't agree with him, there is NOTHING in this book that is hateful (I believe someone commented that it bordered on racist...that must be the same type of person that believes any sort of honest disagreement with someone of color MUST be racist). Listen to the show, and there are many African-Americans that call in..and I have never heard one of them claim he was racist.

But I digress - both the book and the radio show are hilarious. I would not hesitate to recommend this book.

The Real America is much like Glenn Beck's radio show - humorous and full of common sense.

Judging by some of the reviews I glanced at on Amazon, it is clear that he drives the loony leftists nuts. There are numerous untrue allegations contained in some of one star reviews; it is clear that those 'reviewers' have not read this book. There is nothing racist about it.

Beck is certainly not some mindless conservative who is a blind follower of Pres. Bush. If anything, he has some libertarian tendencies that make him much more insightful than the typical talk show host or political writer.

One area that is little talked about that Beck addresses well is the subliminal nature of TV shows, etc. produced by the 'entertainment' industry. He discusses some of the prominent lies put forth by Hollyweird types such as Streisand and Sarandon. He makes the point that the outright lies that they spout are not all that destructive because real people don't relate to them. He contrasts that with the insidious nature of sitcoms, etc. that are aimed at those who are 'mentally half asleep' and the way that viewers begin to 'tolerate, accept, or embrace the moral values of the characters on the program.' It is a valid point and he cites some examples.

He also does some really funny, but insightful, stuff on lawsuit abuse and celebrities in general. Those sections are the most like Beck is on his radio show.

The author does a great section on socialism as practiced by the US government and the many flaws in that system. That section alone is well worth the price of the book.

All in all, this is a worthwhile read by a very funny, honest guy that will be appreciated by most readers.

I've never written an online review for any book--even one of my own. But reading Glenn's new book was a wonderful roller coaster ride--from laughing out loud to silently weeping. If you only read one chapter, please read chapter two. I honestly wish every American--especially High School students--would read that chapter. It's only 31 pages long but gives one of life's most profound lessons. You may not agree with all that Glenn says in this book. Probably some of what he says will infuriate you. But Chapter Two is worth its weight in gold.

Glenn was obviously joking about Bobo.... but the glenn haters have to do something because they lack the ability to please their partner : )

oh, by the way the book is great buy it.

don't buy the al franken book...

I was combing through the reviews of this book and came across a strange phenomenom. It seems that there are a string of one star reviews all written about the same time, about the same length, and all by reviewers who have written their first review on Amazon.

Now either we are to believe that all these hyper-liberals felt so inclined to write their first review on Amazon after reading this book, or we have a zealot on our hands who would pop in a new cute name a day (yeah, how about Hank from Texas? Whatever.) and write the one star review to bring down the star ratings.

Nice try, lefty.

As for the book, it's pretty good, realizing that you are of course reading a book by a right wing talkshow host. It's a different side of Beck--one that wouldn't make it on the radio, but one that projects the truths in the way we imagine our nation. One need only to read Tocqueville to come to some of the same observations that have held true through time. Well, excluding those like our disingenuous friend above.

Oh, and might I ask, where did your "two-year old" son learn to speak like that?

If you read all of the positive reviews of the book, you will see how people agree with the points of view expressed here and find themselves inspried by Beck. The negitive reviews however are just bashing Beck as an offspring of Limbaugh, political rhetoric gone wrong. Sort of the same meantily of Election 2004, voting for Kerry because he is not Bush. People claim that this should never have been published.

Ironic that it's the same people who rally behind the ACLU and demand Freedom of Speech.

The fact is is that the reviews of this book prove one of Becks points. I dont believe, and neither does he, that liberals are evil. Liberal and conservatives just have a different sense of policy, not principle (to quote from his show). Beck longs for the ideal, utopian America. An America where people are accountable for their actions. An America where no matter what your political affiliation, you are still an American with just a different point of view, indulging in your right to have that point of view.

And who can argue with that America.

A little too idealistic, possibly. But could it hurt to try. In this book, if you read between the lines, you will find that if there is anyone it is meant to offend, it is those who oppose the values of responsibility, accountability, and logic.

This might give some insight in to the mean spirited reviews.

Liberal or conservative - doesnt matter. This is worth taking a look... but only with an open mind. For if you enter this read with a narrowminded view of the world, you are going to end up like the miserable people who gave this book 1 star crying about a right wing conspiracy. If you dont like what this book has to offer, throw it away. If you do find it useful, it's just one more tool in your tool box of life. And whats wrong with that?

In the Real America... nothing.

I couldn't put this book down. Although I may not agree completely with Glenn's views, I can respect his opinions. This book has inspired me in my personal and professional life. Glenn writes from his heart. I definetely recommend anyone to buy this book!

Glenn Beck claims it takes at least a month to "get" his program. It took me 60 minutes, maybe because I am a fast learner OR because he has the same bent sense of humor as I do. I find the chapter about his view of partisan politics to be very entertaining. So much was said with so few words. Literally. His story on his religion / spirituality is very interesting as well as how his idea of how to run a business. Demming would be impressed, I think.

It's a fast, fun read and wickedly entertaining unless you are a flaming leftist in which case it would be masochism.