Ginette B. (Niteowl7) reviewed Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media... on + 242 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Involved in the media for several years, John Stossel presents his case with many anecdotes and research. It shows how he became more of a conservative after his disillusionment with liberals and the liberal media. Some of his views I don't agree with. But, for the most part, Stossel confirms some conclusions I previously came to on my own from observation, experience and reading.
Stossel argues for limited government; less rules and regulations; and a revamping of our legal system. I especially liked the chapters on "Welfare for the Rich" and "The Trouble with Lawyers". You may not agree with all his arguments but at least he's 'been there, done that'. His book makes you think and maybe even reassess what you thought was true or took for granted in our country. I love books that get me to look at things differently. Stossel's book is just that type of fascinating read.
Stossel argues for limited government; less rules and regulations; and a revamping of our legal system. I especially liked the chapters on "Welfare for the Rich" and "The Trouble with Lawyers". You may not agree with all his arguments but at least he's 'been there, done that'. His book makes you think and maybe even reassess what you thought was true or took for granted in our country. I love books that get me to look at things differently. Stossel's book is just that type of fascinating read.
Julien C. (jaimelesmaths) reviewed Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media... on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Overall, an OK book. I certainly felt somewhat more enlightened after reading it, particularly in regards to the media's oversensationalization of reporting safety "hazards" and government overregulation. Minus points for typos (seriously, should have been fixed by the paperback printing), and minus one star for his overgeneralized hatred of unions. Also, I have concerns about his love of contracting out government services to for-profit corporations. He only presents the evidence that supports his viewpoint here and fails to mention episodes like the Accenture voting system debacle currently going on in Wisconsin. However, no matter what your take on his opinions, it makes a good conversation starter, but a more balanced view would have been better.
Kelly N. -
Helpful Score: 2
Guaranteed to get you thinking. And maybe a little ticked off too! :o)
Terri W. (txhockeymom) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is an excellent book. If you read it with an open mind, you will start to question things. The years that I have been exposed to "scare tactics" have made me cynical. I lived long enough to have seen the news media declare that the world will live through another ice age because of aerosol hairsprays, women are going to die from breast implants, crack babies will become mutants, etc etc. Now I take everything with a grain of salt because even though we have more 'news' sources than ever before, they all tend to jump on the same bandwagon du jour. Stossel cuts through a lot of the BS that is out there and will have you questioning things that you read. That, in itself, is a good thing.
