Michael Moore Is a Big Fat Stupid White Man

By David T. Hardy, Jason Clarke, Jason Clarke

Book Overview

Watching Michael Moore in action--passing off manipulating facts in Bowling for Columbine, spinning statistics in Stupid White Men and Dude, Where's My Country?, shamelessly grandstanding at the Academy Awards, and epitomizing the hypocrisy he's made a king's fortune railing against--has spurred authors David T. Hardy and Jason Clarke to take action into their own hands. In Michael Moore Is a Big Fat Stupid White Man, Hardy and Clarke dish it back hard to the fervent prophet of the far left, turning a careful eye on Moore's use of camera tricks and publicity ploys to present his own version of the truth.

Postwar documentarians gave us the documentary, Rob Reiner gave us the mockumentary, and Moore initiated a third genre, the crockumentary.

How, they ask, does Moore pull off a proletarian, "man-of-the-people" image so at odds with his lifestyle as a fabulously wealthy Manhattanite? And how large of an impact do his incendiary, ill-founded polemics have on the growing community that follows him with near-religious devotion? Loaded with well-researched, solidly reasoned arguments, and laced with irreverent wit, Michael Moore Is a Big Fat Stupid White Man fires back at one of the left's biggest targets--politically and literally.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060779608
• ISBN13: 9780060779603
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Entertaining Counter-Punch

This book is one of those unfortunates that will probably be wildly praised by those who hate Michael Moore and reviled by those who see him as a brave, solitary truth-teller. Unfortunately, both those extremes leave little room for the truth, and that is that this book does an excellent job of pointing out HUGE inconsistencies in Moore's stats, stories, and, well, slander. For people who swallowed Farenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine whole, Hardy and Clarke take a look at how Moore skews statistics and puts events out of order in order to serve his own views. Now, many of you will say, "So what? All pundits use numbers to make things appear as they say they are! What's the big deal?" The big deal, my friends, is that this is a man who is regarded by those on the far left as a Champion of How Things Really Are, and we can see inconsistency, if not outright dishonesty, in his methods. The authors do a fairly good job of presenting a point/counterpoint format, with Moore's version of things presented before the author's researched facts of the case. Also questioned in the book is Moore's portrayl of himself as a blue-collar 9 to 5 "man of the people". I personally had no idea that Moore lived in such affluency before reading this book. I guess it's possible to be rich and still care for your fellow man, but when you're taking on the rich, Big Oil, GM, and Nike while living like a fat cat yourself...well, let's just say the book brings to mind not throwing stones while residing in a glass house. All in all, an enjoyable read, perfect for the reader who isn't afraid to wade in and see another point of view. Of course, the book, like Moore's movies, should not be swallowed hook, line and, sinker. If you consider yourself "open-minded" enough to see "Farenheit 9/11" or read Stupid White Men, then you should open-minded enough to consider this book.

An impressive piece of research

The book is smaller than one might expect; barely 200 pages, and of that, parts of it are nothing more than reprints of analytical columns by people other than the book's authors. Ultimately, that's because the book focuses heavily on Moore's productions (books, movies) and debunking the more obvious errors, then switches focus to analyze the man and his methods. The result is a comfortable, easily read book with nearly 40 pages of references. What was not addressed were Fahrenheit 9/11's specifics (because the book was in the production loop before the movie came out), or the rampant errors in Moore's series TV Nation. Addressing those problems instead would likely have produced a thicker, more clinical book... but would have put people to sleep. End result? A book which can demonstrate unequivocably that Moore is a propagandist with only a fleeting association with the truth, while leaving so much more Moore fiction uncorrected to provide either a) a college thesis paper, or b) a sequel to the book, if it sells enough copies. Personally, I'm guessing this one will generate a second title, something like Moore is Less, where they'll shred F-9/11, TV Nation, and his lesser works. Well, if it does, I'll buy it.

A shining example of the first amendment put to good use

As a librarian I believe very strongly in the value of the first amendment, which protects the right an individual american has to speak his or her mind. This book is a brave and important balance to the work of Michael Moore, who has openly denounced and threatened legal action against those who challenge his assertions.As Americans, we need to remember that free speech can be taken from us not only by our government but by individuals who would threaten, menace, and use the weight of their status as celebrities to silence dissent and exert influence. In this book - and in other works of film and print that are emerging - we are finally seeing a response, an intelligent response to unbalanced propaganda that is presented as fact. It is a brave and important work, and should be read by any who are concerned about the influence of propaganda in society.Propaganda is poison for democracy. Read this book and you will learn a great deal about America's preeminent propagandist.Read this book, and support free speech!

Exposing Moore's lies

I would recommend this book for any American who is overcome with nausea every time an uninformed friend or relative fires off a quote from Moore's bestseller Stupid Whire Men or calls Bowling for Columbine a masterpiece. In this book, author's Hardy and Clarke go for the throat with documented facts (Moore could learn a thing or two), and point out the mis-truths, half-truths and out right lies in Moore's books and movies. Still more amusing and interesting are the authors efforts to show the reader the real Moore: A self riteous, libelous and angry man who produces vitriolic leftist propoganda and refuses to acknowledge his critics -- choosing instead to spew out conspiracy theories and lawsuits everytime his work is challenged. Hardy and Clarke may find that they are preaching to the choir with their critique of Moore's work and character and their blow by blow analysis of his 'documentaries,' but they hit the nail on the head and should be commended for their guts (as Moore has loudly threatened legal action against his 'wacko attackos').Disregard the criticism in the previous posts. Its doubtful the critics have read the book. If they did they'd have to take a long look in the mirror as this book exposes Moore and his blind followers for the true, lying, whiny malcontents that they are.Final word: Buy the book. Its a very well researched and written critique of America's foremost blowhard.