[CaptainCrunch]

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned in this very forum that I had received a book from my father called Michael Moore is a big fat stupid white man by David Harey and Jason Clarke. When I mentioned this the first response was how could I read a biased piece of garbage like this which was clearly a piece of garbage. So after sitting down and reading it over the last week and finding that the labour day classic was far from pleasing, I thought I would at least put a brief review of the book from my own perspective.

First of all I will remind you all that I made it a point to watch Farenheit 9/11. Bowling for Columbine, and Roger in me so I could be a fair as possible even though I am far from a fan of Michael Moore.

Lets start simply

The title of the book is Michael Moore is a big fat stupid white man, and on the back cover is the phrase dud, where's your integrity? Is it a mean spirited and nasty set of titles? sure, but its also a play on Michael Moore's own book titles Stupid White Man and Dud, Where's my Country. Its an interesting way for the authors to get attention to these books, and I have no problem with that.

The book is broken into chapters and split up with independant essays by various authors. they examine everythin from Moore's early careers as a college writer to an editor in San Francisco to his various books, movies and public appearance. The writing style is a little erratic as the main authors often give way to different writers so at time the continuallity of the book. It almost feels like one is missing a gear or two.

There are some truly funny moments in the book as the writers respond to the 7 questions put forth by Moore in his book Dude, Where's my country. At times the writers can be a little mean spirited, but to be honest there are areas where there is a grudging respect given to Moore based on his technical ability, and some of the points that he makes. there's also a really good chapter written by Anthoney Zoubeck who professes to his favorite movie being Roger and Me

This book is a hard look at the questionability of Micheal Moore's version of the truth, and goes from gentle shots to outright anger over Moore's accusation that the passengers on the jets on 9/11 were fraidy cats made during a public appearance in England.

What I really liked about this book was the inclusion of a huge notes and sources section that backs up thier position, the sources range from reliable news sources to various web sites, to Michael Moore's own inconsistancies, backed up by some pretty good research.

This book never gets into an area where emotions get whiped up, and the anti moore sentiment is never personal, and tries to stay within the researched material.

some of the outside writers get a little carried away, not from a researched point of view, but they try to come across as a little too casual, and cool when questioning Moore.

Must read sections

There is an interview with one of Michael Moores former camera men who gushes about Moore's film making ability, and his integraty, in an area where the authors had a chance to really go after Moore they decided to hold up.

The section that breaks down the editing in Bowling for Columbine, and the 7 answers for Michael Moore are a good read and a nice basis for debate,

The chapter entitled Michael Moore's last day in office tho was not needed and was actually a little stupid, and as much as I was tempted to skip it, I read through it and thought it was a waste of 10 days. It was basically a list of scenarios if being a film maker was a elected position.

The title might be a little inflammitory for anyone in the pro Moore camp, but if you can get by this, the book is a good read, and more fair and balanced then it would ever get credit for.

It would be interesting to see Moore going head to head with these two writers, but I doubt that this will ever happen. But the book dosen't go far enough to be slanderous and the target of a law suit.

From its easy writing style, to its break down and research this was a thouroughly enjoyable book to read.

Check it out of not. But if Michael Moore wants a stage to work with, he'd better be prepared to share it with people who are going to go after him.

And oh great, the Stamps just fumbled the ball. Lovely