Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right    by Al Franken Order:  USA  Can Plume, 2004 (2003) Hardcover, Paperback, Audio, CD, e-Book Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Keeping in mind that Al Franken is a comedian by trade, I expected to be reduced to giggles, guffaws, and outright hilarity when I picked up Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them. How wrong I was. While there are definite funny passages, the bulk of this book focuses on lies that Al Franken declares have been told to the American people – and the rest of the world. I have to admit my mouth hung open most of the time it took me to read this book written by an admitted liberal. One of the issues that really struck me was the news release that Al Gore claimed he invented the Internet. I chose not to believe that little tidbit when it hit the headlines, but many people did. According to Franken, Gore never claimed to have invented the Internet but said in a speech that he had initiated the push for funds to get it up and running. Franken asserts that he has sources that prove what he says. I could go on and on to state cases where Franken says that the big politicians and other powerful people are lying, but if I did that I would be rewriting an intriguing book. Franken pulls no punches. He lays it on his line about Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Jerry Falwell, but why go on? Name a controversial figure and he/she made Franken's book. Of course, he did not omit George W. Bush, his father, and mother. Lies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them is a disheartening book, especially with another U.S. election looming. Read it (cautiously) for another slant on issues we've all heard about. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews