Air America: The Playbook: What a Bunch of Left Wing Media Types have to Teach you about a World Gone Right (Hardcover)

~ Chuck D. (Author), David Bender (Author), Thom Hartmann (Author), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Author), C. Welton Gaddy (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

What the Loudest Voices on Liberal Talk Radio Have to Say About How Our Country Really Works—And How to Take It Back

Incisive political commentary delivered with a healthy dose of humor—and a decidedly left-of-center twist—captures the essence of Air America Radio

For frustrated voters who like their politicians left of center, the era of George W. Bush has been a time of exasperation, eye-rolling, hand-wringing, and even despair. Since Bush’s "election" in 2000, millions of blue-tinted Americans have fled in droves from their TVs and radios, no longer able to bear the "Swiftboat-ization" of the mainstream media or the haranguing voices of such "villains" as Bill O’Reilly, Michael Savage, and Rush Limbaugh. Where can these displaced persons go for political asylum?

Enter, in 2004, Air America Radio, a talk radio network exclusively devoted to liberal, progressive talk. With stars like Al Franken, Janeane Garafalo, Chuck D, Robert Kennedy Jr., Randi Rhodes, Rachel Maddow, and many more, Air America has become an oasis in a time of complete domination by a conservative Republican majority. With close to four million listeners on 89 stations around the country, Air America gives all of those voters who still feel Al Gore and John Kerry should have and perhaps even did win the last two presidential elections a place to vent their opinions and talking heads who share their righteous indignation.

However, for readers who don’t know what to do when their favorite radio show is over and they’re still wide awake, for those who loved Jon Stewart’s America, Bill Maher’s New Rules, Thomas Frank’s The Trouble With Kansas, and books by Al Franken, a new balm in book form awaits. Air America offers a roadmap to the landmine that is American politics today, through an array of eyes and voices unabashedly left of center. Combining new original material with radio transcripts, useful sidebars and statistics, and interviews, all offered in an irresistibly unexpected mix of humor, outrage, sarcasm, and thoughtfulness, this essential guide to how our government works, who are the best hopes and the biggest offenders, and most importantly how liberals can take back their country from the ruling right wing is a must-read.

About the Author

With hosts like the relentless Al Franken, actress and comedienne Janeane Garofalo, activist Rachel Maddow, progressive radio pioneer Randi Rhodes, environmental champion Robert Kennedy Jr., Public Enemy co-founder Chuck D, author Laura Flanders, and singer/songwriter Steve Earle along for the ride, Air America Radio has become compulsive listening fare for liberal news junkies who will eagerly devour Air America.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (September 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594865140
• ISBN-13: 978-1594865145
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,115,541 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For Fans of Air America, October 15, 2006

By	Rowdy P. Scarlett "Yeah, I can dig it....a li... (Winston Salem, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Not a bad book, but it's really NOT for those of a conservative bent. If you enjoy Air America, you WILL enjoy this book. I was a bit disappointed that the book has so much non original material. A few too many transscripts from the Air America shows, but still, over all a good, though lite, read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Redundant Diatribes and Stale Pages of Interviews, June 14, 2007

By	Jeffrey Mease "lasermouse9" (green bay, wisconsin United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you really hate the right, this is your manisfesto. However, if you're just a run of the mill liberal with a decent acumen of political information, this will seem boring and prolix.

The book is basically a compiliation of interview transcipts and essays by Air America's broadcasters, seperated by several comedy pieces. Don't be fooled, this isn't filled with hilarious Franken material or stunningly new insights.

Here's my recommendation:
a) If you stood and clapped at the TV when you heard that Ann Coulter was almost hit with a pie... this book is for you.
b) If you're disgusted by seeing Cindy Sheehan shake hands with Hugo Chavez... this book probably isn't up your alley.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Primer on what's wrong with Bush, January 23, 2007

By	Eric Ferguson (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a concise explanation of what's wrong with the Bush administration. It isn't a deep policy book on a single topic, though it includes interviews with the authors and journalists who are experts in their fields. The intent seems to be to put what you need to know in one handy package. Much of it will be familiar to regular Air America listeners, since the content includes transcripts of inteviews and essays on subjects the hosts address on the air. Even though the 2006 election is now past, with Bush still in office for two more years this book remains utterly relevant.