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Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Kevin Balfe (Author)
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (360 customer reviews)
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Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government + Going Rogue: An American Life + The Christmas Sweater: A Picture Book
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

FUNNY.

FRIGHTENING.

TRUE.

It happens to all of us: You're minding your own business, when some idiot informs you that guns are evil, the Prius will save the planet, or the rich have to finally start paying their fair share of taxes.

Just go away! you think to yourself -- but they only become more obnoxious. Your heart rate quickens. You start to sweat. You can't get away. Your only hope is...

...this book.

Glenn Beck, author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers An Inconvenient Book and Glenn Beck's Common Sense, has stumbled upon the secret formula to winning arguments against people with big mouths but small minds: knowing the facts.

And this book is full of them.

The next time your Idiot Friends tell you how gun control prevents gun violence, you'll tell them all about England's handgun ban (see page 53). When they tell you that we should copy the UK's health-care system, you'll recount the horrifying facts you read on page 244. And the next time an idiot tells you that vegetable prices will skyrocket without illegal workers, you'll stop saying "no, they won't" and you'll start saying, "actually, eliminating all illegal labor will cause us to spend just $8 a year more on produce." (See page 139.)

Idiots can't be identified through voting records, they can be found only by looking for people who hide behind stereotypes, embrace partisanship, and believe that bumper sticker slogans are a substitute for common sense. If you know someone who fits the bill, then Arguing with Idiots will help you silence them once and for all with the ultimate weapon: the truth.



About the Author

Glenn Beck, the nationally syndicated radio and Fox News television show host, is the author of three previous #1 New York Times bestsellers: An Inconvenient Book, Glenn Beck's Common Sense, and the novel The Christmas Sweater.  His children's version of The Christmas Sweater is forthcoming from Simon & Schuster and America's March to Socialism is available now from Simon & Schuster Audio or downloadable from Simon & Schuster Online. He is also the author of The Real America and publisher of Fusion magazine. Visit www.glennbeck.com.
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 325 pages
  • Publisher: Threshold Editions; 1st edition (September 22, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1416595015
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416595014
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (360 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #1 in  Books > Nonfiction > Politics
    #1 in  Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Political Science > Political Doctrines > Conservatism
    #1 in  Books > Entertainment > Humor > Political

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Glenn Beck
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Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government
88% buy the item featured on this page:
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Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine
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Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine 4.0 out of 5 stars (1,079)
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Customer Reviews

360 Reviews
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 (20)
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 (10)
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Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (360 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
626 of 885 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars TIME magazine's "Mad Man" speaks out, September 28, 2009
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
During the Middle Ages, it was somewhat common for religious arguments to be presented in written form. This format usually involved two characters, each with a different point of view. There would be questions or statements by one character which were refuted by the other character, who was a stand-in for the author's belief. With this book, Glenn Beck has revived an old format for a new age.

The book is divided into ten chapters, each one covering a single topic, and there are questions which are responded to by Beck's character. In addition, there are also little side comments, sometimes called "A.D.D. Moments" and sometimes direct quotes by people Beck doesn't agree with, said quotes putting those people in the worst possilbe light.

Love him or hate him (there appears to be no middle ground) Beck wirtes cogently (if often humorously) and well. He states his point of view on one subject and then moves on to another. Beck claims that he is a Libertarian rather than either a Democrat or a Rebublican, but I'm sure liberal readers (if there are any who actually finish this book) will be coinvinced that Beck is just another member of the "vast right-wing conspiracy" to quote Hillary Clinton at the beginning of the Monica fiasco. I don't know what he is, because he takes almost as many shots at the GOP as he does at the Dems, so I'll take him at his word about his party leanings.

Beck is conservative in the sense that he opposes "big government" and what he calls the "Nanny State", which is one that hovers over just about every aspect of American life. He fears that we are going into that situation, and there are enough signs around (for those who want to recognise them) that he might (just might) be correct. I'm a big believer in the policy of "wait and see" so I don't make any judgments on his theories and opinions.

The book will infuriate some (liberals) and comfort others (conservatives and libertarians) but it certainly is not a boring read. For those who publish reviews on Amazon or elsewhere, please at least read the entire book before opining. It's the only fair way to do it!
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139 of 210 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Glenn Beck does it again..., September 22, 2009
In his new book, Glenn Beck states at one point that it is unlikely any progressives will be reading it. Glenn doesn't care for progressives. He says that since FDR and his New Deal, every president (with the exception of Reagan) has been a progressive. He derides George W. Bush as "progressive-lite".

Beck quickly establishes his perch on his soapbox. He says many of the things we might expect: big government is evil, shut off the borders, unions are evil. He identifies a host of "idiots" along the way: Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, Bill Maher, Keith Olbermann, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama, the usual cast of suspects.

He does pull out some surprises though, and I'll allow you to discover those for yourself.

Get ready for a big surprise though; as Beck rolls out the book today he was interviewed by Katie Couric, you know, the woman who first ambushed Sarah Palin and exposed Palin's unpreparedness. Glenn told Katie in the interview that "I think John McCain would have been worse for the country than Barack Obama." I'm not making this up. Glenn charts his own course. It isn't about Democrats or Republicans...
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411 of 627 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Arguments, Restated, September 22, 2009
Glenn Beck has a unique ability to irritate those on both the left and the right. Keith Olbermann accuses him of being a tool of the GOP. Mark Levin thinks he is a lightweight who's "afraid" to call himself a Conservative. Both men are wrong, because both men (unlike Beck) are deeply invested in the electoral success of their political parties. Beck, on the other hand, is deeply invested in the success of certain principles no matter who promotes them. Conservatives who think that Beck is hurting the cause by attacking the GOP might do well to remember that Republicans have not nominated a true conservative for the presidency in over 20 years, and they have paid a steep price as a result.

From the start, Beck makes clear that "Idiots" does not refer to Liberals. Idiocy, rather, is a state of mind, and it can affect both the left and the right. However, Beck is indeed a conservative who believes in the original intent of the constitution, so naturally progressives of all stripes are the primary targets."Idiots" is a good book, with clear arguments against all varieties of conventional wisdom. I would only advise that a lot of these arguments don't lend themselves to a basic overview. After putting this book down, pick up more in depth explorations of the economy and politics by Jonah Goldberg, Thomas Sowell, Thomas E. Woods, etc.

Incidentally, I am not persuaded by the claims that Beck steals the ideas of others and claims them as his own. Again, anyone who listens to Beck knows that he is very open about who he reads, and is frank about the fact that he has learned much from them. Stating conventional wisdom is not plagiarism. And, if he hasn't mentioned you, he probably hasn't read you.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Sorry, Glenn Beck is ruining America.
This book is intended purely as shock jocking. It's not anything but Glenn Beck shouting on paper. It's really ruining America to have divisive, fear-mongering, black-and-white... Read more
Published 6 hours ago by D. Poulson

5.0 out of 5 stars Glen Beck book
This man is too much. The book is great - especially in audio format. He is so right.
Published 18 hours ago by L. Richards

5.0 out of 5 stars Beck still get it!
Every Glenn Beck book that I have read has been entertaining and informative. I have met Glenn and he is the same guy that you see or read. Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars Glenn Beck: A Genius
What can I say? Glenn Beck says it all. He says things that everyone else is afraid to say because they think its to far out there. His book is well written with good research. Read more
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1.0 out of 5 stars ramblings of a scared little man
This book is a mish mash of ramblings by a frighted little man.
It's kind of sad, and I feel bad for Glenn. Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Conversation with Glenn Beck
This book is like having a personal conversation with Glenn Beck about all the absurdity taking place in Washington today.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Arguing with Idiots
Glenn Beck proves liberals are even bigger idiots than I thought they were; which would be hard to do. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Brad W. Bowers

5.0 out of 5 stars CHALLENGE FOR LIBERALS!
I challange liberals to read this book (or hear video version). I think because of "hear-say" liberals are scared to hear anything from Glenn Beck. Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Tool For Freedom Yet
One heck of a lot of research went into this book. I thought his book Common Sense
covered things well. Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars Patriot
Love this book,Glen is full of insight.He cares deeply for our country..I pray hes wrong in what course Americas going
Published 4 days ago by Patrick M. Ednie

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