Review: The Truth (with jokes) by Al Franken
The Truth (with jokes) by Al Franken is a book (that by the way is the truth - it’s got a cover and pages with writing on them and everything). The joke is that people actually bought this book.
Now that former comedian, recent political commentator and now candidate for the U.S. Senate from Minnesota Al Franken wants to be taken seriously, I thought it might make sense to read his last book and see if there is any reason that he should be considered a viable candidate for senate. Based on the reading of his book, I would say no.
Not because he’s a former comedian or that he can’t make the transition from comedy to serious issues, but because his only serious issue raised in the book (and I suspect a significant portion of his senate platform) is his fundamental dislike of Republicans, conservatives and George Bush in particular. Which would be fine if that dislike was coupled with thoughtful answers for the serious problems that Bush is accused by Franken of causing. Unfortunately for Al, the truth is that he has no answers.
There is one redeeming quality in this book and that is the extent to which the author goes to establish credibility for the source of his information. He uses twenty pages at the end of the book to credit where he got his information and direct readers where they can learn more about a particular issue - not bad for someone who used to be funny. The truth is that no matter how much he sources his information it only provides his slanted view of an issue.
Upon final review, there is another thing that should be mentioned about this book as it relates to humor. Franken goes to painstaking lengths to tell his audience that certain items are “jokes” and not to be taken seriously. He claims in the book that he must do so because an uninformed reader may not recognize the comedy. In this respect, he is correct. The truth is that the jokes are so bad that he must declare them as humor.
This book stinks. The joke’s on me. The truth is that I wish I hadn’t wasted my time reading it, but perhaps I will have saved you from wasting it yourself.
The Truth (with jokes) is likely to be in the bargain bin at your local bookseller, but don’t waste your time looking for it. Al Franken’s website for his senate campaign can be found here.
