Stupid White Men : ...and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation! (2001)

Rated: F ( )

AN interesting mix of facts, semi-facts, suggestions and hypotheses - I found some of the things in the book difficult to believe. Of course some of it is now out of date but still hits a nerve. I'd love to see an updated version of how the Stupid White Men who run our world shape up now. ( )

The author hits and misses with about equal proportion. This book will go down well for those who already agree with him, but in our current polarized poltiical climate, those who do not agree will just dismiss everything he says, even in those cases where he agrees with them. ( )

I loved the introduction to the Penguin edition, where he explains to his non-American readers how the librarians of America put the fear of God onto his US publishers and forced them to publish SWM after they got extremely cold feet in the wake of 9/11. This is a great book, passionate and full of righteous indignation and ideas for making a difference. I have liked Michael Moore since seeing his "TV Nation" series. ( )

That's right - zero stars for this utter garbage.

I read this primarily because I enjoyed Columbine and because of the hype. Quite simply this is one of the most self-contradictory and badly written books I have had the misfortune to pick up.
I have neither the time nor inclination to fully document the innumerable hypocrisies contained in 'Stupid White Men', but I will illustrate the point with one example: One of Moore's central arguments is that the mass media uses misinformation, and alarmist / sensationalist stories to keep the population in a perpetual state of fear which somehow encourages them to shop more and ask fewer questions. He then goes on to write about the BSE epidemic and the link with nvCJD and actually states that infective material is released into the atmosphere (posing a health risk??!!) from incineration facilities. Outstanding Michael.

I would urge anyone who has even the most basic grasp of Northern Irish or Middle Eastern history to read this book. Otherwise there is precious little to laugh at. The serious point is, however, that if you can see so many factual inaccuracies and misleading statements within the text then you seriously doubt the accuracy / honesty of the content of which, you are largely ignorant e.g. the details of the Florida election debacle.

In summary, I appreciate Moore is 'making a stand' and all that. Unfortunately there are many people who have purchased this book and believed everything that they have read, perpetuating the culture of unquestioning ignorance, which is perhaps the book's greatest hypocrisy. ( )