Conservatize Me: A Lifelong Lefty's Attempt to Love God, Guns, Reagan, and Toby Keith
by John Moe
Book Summary Information
Author: John MoeEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-02-01
ISBN: 0060854022
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Book Reviews of Conservatize Me: A Lifelong Lefty's Attempt to Love God, Guns, Reagan, and Toby Keith
Book Review: Author is a good humor writer, but this book was weak
Summary: 3 Stars
John Moe is a good humor writer, and this book has some good insights both serious and humorous. That said, as work of political analysis, it often falls flat. I was especially underwhelmed by Moe's approach to writers like Jonah Goldberg and William Kristol. The fact that both will sit down with Moe and have a civil conversation is not evidence that their stated positions are reasoned, sound, or compassionate. Just because they are not raving lunatics like Ann Coulter or Michael Savage does not lend them credibility.
William Kristol, especially, is routinely wrong in his analysis, and boldly wrong in his predictions, especially regarding the Iraq war. Yet he still somehow maintains credibility as a pundit.
Also, while I appreciate Moe's willingness to immerse himself in red state culture like Toby Keith concerts, Wal-Mart style, and Rodeos, and I realize that there are many kind, generous people in both red and blue states, Moe's unwillingness to judge some of the people he meets leaves him open to charges of moral relativism (a charge often aimed at lefties by righties). Moe and other liberals need to say "More and broader knowledge is better than less, or narrow knowledge. Reading newspapers and books about issues makes one more informed, and better equipped to make informed judgments about issues." Red state citizens who wish to remain ignorant about issues have that right, of course, but their willful ignorance is not equivalent to the informed skepticism of blue state "elites". (I realize I am using stereotypes here.) Moe's unwillingness to criticize weakens the book.
Overall, an OK book, but I wouldn't recommend it.
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Conservatize Me: A Lifelong Lefty's Attempt to Love God, Guns, Reagan, and Toby Keithby John Moe
Harper Perennial; Published: 2008-02-01; Paperback; Book
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