- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins World (22 Aug 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060761288
- ISBN-13: 978-0060761288
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15 x 3 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,444,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
100 People Who Are Screwing Up America
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Product Description
Review
"Entertaining."--Buffalo News
Product Description
The number one "New York Times" bestselling author of "Bias" delivers another bombshell--this time aimed at . . .
"100 People Who Are Screwing Up America"
No preaching. No pontificating. Just some uncommon sense about the things that have made this country great--and the culprits who are screwing it up.
Bernard Goldberg takes dead aim at the America Bashers (the cultural elites who look down their snobby noses at "ordinary" Americans) . . . the Hollywood Blowhards (incredibly ditzy celebrities who think they're smart just because they're famous) . . . the TV Schlockmeisters (including the one whose show has been compared to a churning mass of maggots devouring rotten meat) . . . the Intellectual Thugs (bigwigs at some of our best colleges, whose views run the gamut from left wing to far left wing) . . . and many more.
Goldberg names names, counting down the villains in his rogues' gallery from 100 all the way to 1--and, yes, you-know-who is number 37. Some supposedly "serious" journalists also made the list, including the journalist-diva who sold out her integrity and hosted one of the dumbest hours in the history of network television news. And there are those famous miscreants who have made America a nastier place than it ought to be--a far more selfish, vulgar, and cynical place.
But Goldberg doesn't just round up the usual suspects we have come to know and detest. He also exposes some of the people who operate away from the limelight but still manage to pull a lot of strings and do all sorts of harm to our culture. Most of all, "100 People Who Are Screwing Up America" is about a country where as long as anything goes, as one of the good guys in the book puts it, sooner or later everything will go.
This is serious stuff for sure. But Goldberg will also make you laugh as he harpoons scoundrels like the congresswoman who thinks there aren't enough hurricanes named after black people, and the environmentalist to the stars who yells at total strangers driving SUVs--even though she tools around the country in a gas-guzzling private jet.
With "Bias," Bernard Goldberg took us behind the scenes and exposed the way Big Journalism distorts the news. Now he has written a book that goes even further. This time he casts his eye on American culture at large--and the result is a book that is sure to become the voice of all those Americans who feel that no one is speaking for them on perhaps the most vital issue of all: the kind of country in which we want to live.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
WHY DO SO MANY AMERICANS who ought to know better find the United States such a terrible place? Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
WHY DO SO MANY AMERICANS who ought to know better find the United States such a terrible place? Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
899 reviews
64 of 78 people found the following review helpful
Actually, not what you'd think...
10 Aug 2005
Format:Hardcover
On the surface, you'd think this book was just another
"right-winger" making a list of 100 Liberals and trashing
them. Actually, it's not, despite the criticism of the
four guests on CNN who attacked Bernie Goldberg, without,
admittedly, even reading the book.
Even though there are the usual liberal suspects on this
list, such as George Soros, Paul Begala, and Howard Dean,
trashing liberals is not really the point of the book.
What Bernie Goldberg does in this book is to cite a number
of TRENDS in America that are ruining our society, and naming
a number of people who exemplify or encourage those trends.
His first several chapters are commentary about those trends.
For example, he cites the destruction of trust in one another
caused by our fear of lawyers, he cites how television
executives are filling the airwaves with a lot of trash
simply because of ratings, and he cites how the gangsta rap
craze is sending horribly destructive messages to our youth.
Then, in his list, he chooses a number of people who exemplify
some of these bad trends. What is MOST INTERESTING is the
number of people who are not all that famous, but many whom
you will recognize once they are described to you.
Here are a few examples...
...that idiot you'd see on late night TV, who wears the green
suit with the question marks all over it. He exemplifies the
idea that the way you get rich is to get "free money", and that
our tax dollars are that "free money".
...a woman, who finding out she was pregnant with triplets,
had two aborted, claiming that if she had to take care of
all three, she'd "have to shop at Costco".
...the former California congressman who was the major
catalyst for the "self-esteem" movement in secondary
education, the result being that our children score well
behind other countries in math and science, but rank
the highest in "self-confidence".
...the congresswoman who came to the defense of a convicted
murderer, as exemplifying the trend of defending the rights
of criminals rather than the victims.
In short, this book is so interesting that I believe if a
person enters into it with an open mind, it will be very
hard to put down. Also, despite its reputation as "right-wing"
and "liberal bashing", it really is not. I recommend this
book for EVERYBODY, and if I could give it SIX STARS, I would.
Lastly, you guessed who he lists as Number One.
"right-winger" making a list of 100 Liberals and trashing
them. Actually, it's not, despite the criticism of the
four guests on CNN who attacked Bernie Goldberg, without,
admittedly, even reading the book.
Even though there are the usual liberal suspects on this
list, such as George Soros, Paul Begala, and Howard Dean,
trashing liberals is not really the point of the book.
What Bernie Goldberg does in this book is to cite a number
of TRENDS in America that are ruining our society, and naming
a number of people who exemplify or encourage those trends.
His first several chapters are commentary about those trends.
For example, he cites the destruction of trust in one another
caused by our fear of lawyers, he cites how television
executives are filling the airwaves with a lot of trash
simply because of ratings, and he cites how the gangsta rap
craze is sending horribly destructive messages to our youth.
Then, in his list, he chooses a number of people who exemplify
some of these bad trends. What is MOST INTERESTING is the
number of people who are not all that famous, but many whom
you will recognize once they are described to you.
Here are a few examples...
...that idiot you'd see on late night TV, who wears the green
suit with the question marks all over it. He exemplifies the
idea that the way you get rich is to get "free money", and that
our tax dollars are that "free money".
...a woman, who finding out she was pregnant with triplets,
had two aborted, claiming that if she had to take care of
all three, she'd "have to shop at Costco".
...the former California congressman who was the major
catalyst for the "self-esteem" movement in secondary
education, the result being that our children score well
behind other countries in math and science, but rank
the highest in "self-confidence".
...the congresswoman who came to the defense of a convicted
murderer, as exemplifying the trend of defending the rights
of criminals rather than the victims.
In short, this book is so interesting that I believe if a
person enters into it with an open mind, it will be very
hard to put down. Also, despite its reputation as "right-wing"
and "liberal bashing", it really is not. I recommend this
book for EVERYBODY, and if I could give it SIX STARS, I would.
Lastly, you guessed who he lists as Number One.
54 of 70 people found the following review helpful
An Interesting Book and List, but not a "great" book
19 July 2005
Format:Hardcover
I was tempted to give this a 5 star review if only to counterbalance some of the reviewers who will give this a 1 star simply on the basis of opposition politics. However, in my opinion it really does deserve 3 stars, or perhaps 2.5. Here's why:
1. The book won't change anyone's mind. However you feel about Goldberg and his opinions going in, is how you will going out. Goldberg writes entertainingly, but he's not writing a way that will change anyone's mind.
2. The book will age and become a "period" piece fairly quickly. "Hardball" will be around for a long time. This book will age right into near irrelevance in about 2 years.
3. The book is indeed a bit "biased". Goldberg is upfront about what he thinks, and says so - this is ~his~ list and he doesn't expect you to agree with it. Even so, there are a whole lot of Left Wingers here, so many that it gets a bit repetitive. Yeah, he nails Savage, Lay and Koslowski, but there are a lot more Right Wing types that deserve some attention, and some just plain no-goods that are apolitical that deserve mention.
4. You leave the book feeling angry. If you're a Conservative or Right leaning moderate, you're infuriated about what Goldberg has said. If you're a Liberal or a left leaning moderate, you're steaming about how Goldberg could be "so wrong". What you don't get is a useful long term perspective on the "culture wars", or any memorable thoughts on how the rift of opinions can be broached.
So, while I would have to say I agree with a lot of Goldberg's judgements and can understand his viewpoints, I feel the way he approached it was wrong. It seems like this was a fairly easy book to write - pick 100 people you don't like and harangue them in print, then await money to roll in. More time, more depth and more perspective would have made for a more satisfying read, and a longer "shelf life".
1. The book won't change anyone's mind. However you feel about Goldberg and his opinions going in, is how you will going out. Goldberg writes entertainingly, but he's not writing a way that will change anyone's mind.
2. The book will age and become a "period" piece fairly quickly. "Hardball" will be around for a long time. This book will age right into near irrelevance in about 2 years.
3. The book is indeed a bit "biased". Goldberg is upfront about what he thinks, and says so - this is ~his~ list and he doesn't expect you to agree with it. Even so, there are a whole lot of Left Wingers here, so many that it gets a bit repetitive. Yeah, he nails Savage, Lay and Koslowski, but there are a lot more Right Wing types that deserve some attention, and some just plain no-goods that are apolitical that deserve mention.
4. You leave the book feeling angry. If you're a Conservative or Right leaning moderate, you're infuriated about what Goldberg has said. If you're a Liberal or a left leaning moderate, you're steaming about how Goldberg could be "so wrong". What you don't get is a useful long term perspective on the "culture wars", or any memorable thoughts on how the rift of opinions can be broached.
So, while I would have to say I agree with a lot of Goldberg's judgements and can understand his viewpoints, I feel the way he approached it was wrong. It seems like this was a fairly easy book to write - pick 100 people you don't like and harangue them in print, then await money to roll in. More time, more depth and more perspective would have made for a more satisfying read, and a longer "shelf life".
239 of 320 people found the following review helpful
Not a political book, but rather social commentary
3 Aug 2005
Format:Hardcover
First, anything by Goldberg these days is going to automatically get lumped into a political direction - right - and be blasted by those on the left. That's fair I suppose given his views about liberal ideology in the media. However, this book is far more about a social commentary on those whose views undermine the core beliefs, and social values and decency our nation was founded on. Goldberg takes on those on both sides of the political fence, but in general keeps his prose to issues that effect the everyday social fabric of America.
I actually really enjoyed reading his rants. Granted, some of them I disagree with, but generally he seems to really have issue with how a few misguided people have damaged the values the rest of us hold. If I were to summarize what you can expect, it would be this: If you support the rights of a criminal over the victim or glorify the behaviors of people who in any decent society deserve to be behind bars, you will get slammed in this book. If you got your fame and money through acting or music and attempt to be taken seriously as a political commentator, you will be taken to task here. If you support the sexualization of children, or support the boorish sexual antics of the fringe of society (ala Will and Grace glorifying adultery), you will find yourself on the list.
This book is after all a social commentary on the values of America, and the few who are trying to create a society that stands for nothing, allows and glorifies anything, and permits everything no matter how inappropriate. Take for example the so called "environmentalists" who attack others for driving big SUV's while they fly Gulf Stream jets and live in houses that use more energy than several small towns. Hypocritical is merely an obvious label for such people, but they deserve far more criticism than that. Goldberg exposes them here.
It should be noted, and isn't on any critical reviews I have read here, that Goldberg is not trying to silence such voices. He stands up for the rights of everyone to free speech. He takes on people whose views would be way right politically, and does so with gusto. So, the book is far more balanced that way than others here may be giving credit for.
Overall, a very good look at some of the erosion of values, morals and common decency in our society, and the few people who are trying to do the most damage. At times it is too sensational, at times a bit shrill, and of course is just one person's opinion. That said, he is far more often than not absolutely accurate in his assessment and its time more people woke up and started speaking out against such views.
I actually really enjoyed reading his rants. Granted, some of them I disagree with, but generally he seems to really have issue with how a few misguided people have damaged the values the rest of us hold. If I were to summarize what you can expect, it would be this: If you support the rights of a criminal over the victim or glorify the behaviors of people who in any decent society deserve to be behind bars, you will get slammed in this book. If you got your fame and money through acting or music and attempt to be taken seriously as a political commentator, you will be taken to task here. If you support the sexualization of children, or support the boorish sexual antics of the fringe of society (ala Will and Grace glorifying adultery), you will find yourself on the list.
This book is after all a social commentary on the values of America, and the few who are trying to create a society that stands for nothing, allows and glorifies anything, and permits everything no matter how inappropriate. Take for example the so called "environmentalists" who attack others for driving big SUV's while they fly Gulf Stream jets and live in houses that use more energy than several small towns. Hypocritical is merely an obvious label for such people, but they deserve far more criticism than that. Goldberg exposes them here.
It should be noted, and isn't on any critical reviews I have read here, that Goldberg is not trying to silence such voices. He stands up for the rights of everyone to free speech. He takes on people whose views would be way right politically, and does so with gusto. So, the book is far more balanced that way than others here may be giving credit for.
Overall, a very good look at some of the erosion of values, morals and common decency in our society, and the few people who are trying to do the most damage. At times it is too sensational, at times a bit shrill, and of course is just one person's opinion. That said, he is far more often than not absolutely accurate in his assessment and its time more people woke up and started speaking out against such views.
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