Dude, Where's My Country? [Hardcover]

The one thing seemingly missing on any channel was anybody asking difficult questions about anything other than baseball. This is where Moore comes in and as with his previous works he delves into some of the issues I am sure the current administration would hope had been forgotten.

The assistant at the book store told me she liked Moore but he just doesn’t know when to shut up (which I took to mean his Oscar speech), but hey, he has lost a few pounds. What better recommendation could you want? It clinched the sale for me anyway.

As a Brit, many of the topics and “coincidental” connections between US foreign policy and corporate interests are already familiar but many issues Moore raises came as a real surprise and the whole book is an insight into life in the USA post 9/11.

The opening chapter has seven questions for George Bush that hit hard and fast, are well referenced and clearly set the tone for the rest of book. One of the hardest hitters asks why when America was locked down after 9/11, with only F15s in the skies, members of the bin Laden family were being flown “to safety” out of the country (actually to Paris) courtesy of the FBI and Washington.

Subsequent chapters deal with a mix of fairly predictable topics: the paradox of Liberal America voting in a Republican president, the greed engendered by the American Dream, the creation of fear and subsequent erosion of liberty in the US. There is even a DIY section on how to convert your Conservative brother-in-law into a Liberal (it’s all down to $$$). The hypothetical discussion between Moore and his Granddaughter in the year 2054 strains to make a point about oil usage but makes the point none the less. There are unexpected gems as well, such as Moore’s surprising and possibly prophetic views on Oprah. Overall the book is highly readable, has many examples and quotes and can be dipped into as important relevant points are often repeated as required in different chapters. I suspect though, that like me, you’ll find yourself reading it straight through in no time.

The book draws together various reports and strands of information into a coherent form, within the bounds of Moore’s comic narrative style of course, and as such is a timely and amusing refresher course. You may not agree with everything Moore says, but the arguments are generally convincing and never less than thought provoking. Of course, thought is encouraged and you can even suggest ways for the author to spend his recent tax break (although you can guess whose campaign fund it won’t be going to next year).

The cover of the US version shows an optimistic image of Moore pulling down a Baghdad style statue of Bush but the UK cover is probably more appropriate, showing Moore sparring with Bush. I think he’s still standing in about round 3 and looking good, but if what Moore says in the book is true he is fighting well above his weight at the start of a very long bout. Well, at least he is fighting his corner. Bye the way, do we have a British Michael Moore anywhere or should we invite him over?

Possibly the best reason to admire the book is the author's unrelenting conviction of its ability to motivate the average American to get along to the polling booths and use their vote to make a difference. In cynical times, it's quite refreshing to read this re-affirmation of faith in the democratic process, especially given Moore's own highlighting of its many flaws as applied to modern-day America. Unfortunately, this is one area where the book seems to fall down for non-American readers, since the last third or so of the volume is not really aimed at us at all, taking as read an appreciation of US domestic considerations which aren't really at the front of most British readers' minds.

Still, an entertaining enough read and, if Bush is ejected from the White House later in 2004, a book whose contribution to American political thinking we might well end up being grateful for.