Synopses & Reviews
In Big Lies, Joe Conason rips through the ten most damaging lies perpetrated by the right wing propaganda machine. This scathing, fact-filled analysis debunks it all:
- The myth that Republicans are fiscal geniuses and champions of free enterprise.
- The right's self-proclaimed monopoly on family values.
- The conservative smearing of liberals as unpatriotic and anti-American.
- And of course, the compassionate conservatism of George W. Bush. (It depends on the meaning of compassionate.)
Big Lies confronts right-wing slander and bias with a long-awaited, badly-needed counterpunch to the deceptions that have plagued American politics for a generation.
Joe Conason is the national correspondent for the New York Observer and writes a daily online journal for Salon. With Gene Lyons, he is the best-selling author of The Hunting of the President: The Ten-Year Campaign to Destroy Bill and Hillary Clinton. His writing and reporting have appeared in many publications, including Harper's, The Guardian, The Nation, and The New Republic. He also appears frequently as a commentator on television and radio.
Joe Conason, whose investigation of the conservative witchunt of Bill Clinton became a major national bestseller, takes on the most common argurments, myths, and fallacies propounded by the right--and exposes them as the smear tactics they really are.
A powerful rebuttal to books such as Bias or Slander, Big Lies is essential reading in an era of right-wing bullying and political conformity.
Big Lies is must reading for anyone who wants to understand America today. It's an amazing tour through the wonderland of right-wing mendacity that blinds Americans to the ugly truth about what's happening to our country.--Paul Krugman, New York Times columnist and author of The Accidental Theorist
Big Lies is must reading for anyone who wants to understand America today. It's an amazing tour through the wonderland of right-wing mendacity that blinds Americans to the ugly truth about what's happening to our country.--Paul Krugman, New York Times columnist and author of The Accidental Theorist
As Joe Conason so effectively points out in Big Lies, there is no 'vast right-wing conspiracy'--it's all right out there in plain sight. Conason has such a good eye for the hypocrisy and follies of the American right, he can even make you laugh a little while you wince. This is a comprehensive, well-researched indictment of a bunch of nasty people who really deserve it. It is also a thorough expose of a bunch of big lies, from 'the liberal media' to 'compassionate conservatism.'--Molly Ivins, bestselling author of Bushwhacked and Shrub
The media is a prism of political life as never before. So how far can we believe what we are told? Not a lot, says Joe Conason in Big Lies, and the case for prosecution is coolly documented with precision and wit. An important book for American Democracy.--Harold Evans, editor and author of The American Century
Bothered by Bias? Sickened by Slander? Joe Conason's Big Lies is the perfect antidote. From Rush to Bush, Conason strips away false fronts to reveal the corporate agenda behind 'conservative' propaganda. Big Lies is essential reading in these politically troubled times.--Arianna Huffington, bestselling author of Pigs at the Trough
Every page of Big Lies is a revelation. With incisiveness and verve, Joe Conason supplies the intellectual ammunition to rescue liberalism and liberals from years of Republican distortion, spin, and shameless lies. Along the way, Conason delivers one of the most devastating indictments of right-wing rhetorical tricks and dishonest media techniques in print.--David Brock, bestselling author of Blinded by the Right
Conason identifies ten 'Big Lies' about Democrats and liberals, such as the myth that the media are liberally biased; that liberals, there unpatriotic, soft on crime, and fiscally irresponsible; and that liberals promote immorality and vice. Then he methodically presents evidence to the contrary while showing how conservatives/Republicans fail to measure up to the standards of moral and fiscal responsibility they claim to exemplify. He examines Republicans' handling of the federal budget and questionable deals, such as Iran-Contra during the Reagan administration, to challenge conservative claims of fiscal responsibility. By enumerating the sex scandals surrounding Republican politicians like Henry Hyde, Dan Burton, and Newt Gingrich, Conason demonstrates a hypocritical 'do as we say, not as we do' conservative mindset. Extensive notes document the proofs and charges, and the writing is entertaining and engaging. Recommended for political science collections in public and academic libraries.--Library Journal
Conason] lands some fine punches as he turns what he terms their 'lies' back on themselves, amassing evidence that it's conservatives who are the elitists, who hold sway in the media, who violate family values . . . Conason's case is substantial, especially in dismissing conservatives' espousal of the free market--arguing that what they really support is selfish crony capitalism (he indicts the Bushes at length)--and in reviewing of Clinton's strong anti-al-Qaeda campaign to counter charges that he was 'soft' on terrorism.--Publishers Weekly
Review
"The author's points are all well taken....It's not too difficult to make the more preposterous spoutings of the way-out right look ridiculous, but Conason has fun hitting his easy targets." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"He lands some fine punches....Conason's case is substantial....But most of Conason's points are already well rehearsed, though liberals may find it useful to have them gathered in one volume." Publishers Weekly
Review
"By enumerating the sex scandals surrounding Republican politicians...Conason demonstrates a hypocritical...conservative mindset. Extensive notes document the proofs and charges, and the writing is entertaining and engaging." Library Journal
Review
"As Joe Conason so effectively points out in Big Lies, there is no 'vast right-wing conspiracy' it's all right out there in plain sight. Conason has such a good eye for the hypocrisy and follies of the American right, he can even make you laugh a little while you wince. This is a comprehensive, well-researched indictment of a bunch of nasty people who really deserve it. It is also a thorough exposé of a bunch of big lies, from 'the liberal media' to 'compassionate conservatism." Molly Ivins, bestselling author of Bushwhacked and Shrub
Review
"The media is a prism of political life as never before. So how far can we believe what we are told? Not a lot, says Joe Conason in Big Lies, and the case for prosecution is coolly documented with precision and wit. An important book for American Democracy." Harold Evans, editor and author of The American Century
Review
"Every page of Big Lies is a revelation. With incisiveness and verve, Joe Conason supplies the intellectual ammunition to rescue liberalism and liberals from years of Republican distortion, spin, and shameless lies. Along the way, Conason delivers one of the most devastating indictments of right-wing rhetorical tricks and dishonest media techniques in print." David Brock, bestselling author of Blinded by the Right
Synopsis
The nationally renowned political observer mounts an unerring attack on the lies and distortions of the right
Synopsis
In
Big Lies, Joe Conason rips through the ten most damaging lies perpetrated by the right wing propaganda machine. This scathing, fact-filled analysis debunks it all:
- The myth that Republicans are fiscal geniuses and champions of free enterprise.
- The right's self-proclaimed monopoly on "family values."
- The conservative smearing of liberals as unpatriotic and anti-American.
- And of course, the "compassionate conservatism" of George W. Bush. (It depends on the meaning of “compassionate.”)
Big Lies confronts right-wing slander and bias with a long-awaited, badly-needed counterpunch to the deceptions that have plagued American politics for a generation.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. [213]-231) and index.
About the Author
Joe Conason is the national correspondent for the
New York Observer and writes a daily online journal for
Salon. With Gene Lyons, he is the best-selling author of
The Hunting of the President: The Ten-Year Campaign to Destroy Bill and Hillary Clinton. His writing and reporting have appeared in many publications, including
Harper's,
The Guardian,
The Nation, and
The New Republic. He also appears frequently as a commentator on television and radio.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Limousine Liberals and Corporate Jet Conservatives
"Tax-cutting Republicans are friends of the common man, while liberals are snobbish elitists who despise the work ethic."
Chapter Two:
Peroxide Paradox: The Blonde Misleading the Blind
"Liberals control the media and misuse their influence to promote left-wing policies."
Chapter Three:
Male Cheerleaders and Chickenhawks
"Conservatives truly love America and support the armed forces, while liberals are unpatriotic draft dodgers."
Chapter Four:
Deja Voodoo, All Over Again
"Republicans are strict accountants who balance budgets and promote economic growth, while Democrats are tax-and-spenders who bust budgets, stifle the economy and distrust capitalism."
Chapter Five:
Why Dick Armey Joined the ACLU
"Conservatives are the only reliable defenders of individual liberty, because progressives worship political correctness and suppress freedom."
Chapter Six:
Private Lives and Public Lies
"Conservatives protect family values and moral virtue, while liberals promote immorality and vice."
Chapter Seven:
Tokens of Their Esteem
"Conservatives believe in colorblind equality, while liberals cynically exploit the victimization of blacks and other minorities."
Chapter Eight:
Crony Capitalism, Infectious Greed and The Way the World Really Works
"Conservatives are the only true champions of free enterprise."
Chapter Nine:
Faith, Charity and the Mayberry Machiavellis
"George W. Bush is a compassionate conservative."
Chapter Ten:
"Dead or Alive" - Or Maybe Just Forgotten
"Conservatives are tough on terrorism, while liberal Democrats are soft."