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Overview
Bill O'Reilly is the very embodiment of the idea of a Culture Warrior-and in this book he lives up to the title brilliantly, with all the brashness and forthrightness at his command. He sees that America is in the midst of a fierce culture war between those who embrace traditional values and those who want to change America into a "secular-progressive" country. This is a conflict that differs in many ways from the usual liberal/conservative divide, but it is no less heated, and the stakes are even higher. And in Culture Warrior O'Reilly fights the good fight for the traditional values that have served this country so well for so long.Synopsis
Bill O’Reilly is the very embodiment of the idea of a Culture Warrior—and in this book he lives up to the title brilliantly, with all the brashness and forthrightness at his command. He sees that America is in the midst of a fierce culture war between those who embrace traditional values and those who want to change America into a “secular-progressive” country. This is a conflict that differs in many ways from the usual liberal/conservative divide, but it is no less heated, and the stakes are even higher.
In Culture Warrior, Bill O’Reilly defines this war and analyzes the competing philosophies of the traditionalist and secular-progressive camps. He examines why the nation’s motto “E Pluribus Unum” (“From Many, One”) might change to “What About Me?”; dissects the forces driving the secular-progressive agenda in the media and behind the scenes, including George Soros, George Lakoff, and the ACLU; and dives into matters of race, education, and the war on terror. He also shows how the culture war has played out in such high-profile instances as The Passion of the Christ, Fahrenheit 9/11, the abuse epidemic (child and otherwise), and the embattled place of religion in public life—with special emphasis on the war against Christmas. Whatever controversies are roiling the nation, he fearlessly confronts them—and no one will be in the dark about which side he’s on.
Culture Warrior showcases Bill O’Reilly at his most eloquent and impassioned. He is an unrelenting fighter for the soul of America, and in this book he fights the good fight for the traditional values that have served this country so well for so long.
From the Hardcover edition.
Publishers Weekly
In his latest screed, the host of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor mobilizes fellow "traditionalists" against a "secular-progressive movement" supposedly led by billionaire George Soros ("public enemy number one") and the liberal rhetorician George Lakoff. O'Reilly condemns the "erosion of societal discipline" flowing from an alleged "S-P [secular-progressive]" agenda of drug legalization, teenagers' rights, moral relativism, church-state separation, therapy instead of punishment for criminals and, above all, the "communist" freeloader's doctrine that the government should tax the rich to fund housing, health care and early-childhood education for the poor. None of this coheres well, but O'Reilly keeps fans stoked with red meat, including tales of ACLU Christmas-bashers who wanted schools to stop teaching kids to sing carols, and permissive judges who go easy on child molesters. Too often, though, he feuds with personal enemies like "smear-merchant" Al Franken, Hollywood liberals, press critics and unnamed "black-hearted websites." As a result, his populist swagger subsides into kvetching ("Clooney's press agent, a guy named Stan Rosenfield, began badmouthing me and Fox News around Hollywood") and paranoia ("S-P power-brokers... will command their forces to attack me in every way possible"). More resentful and self-pitying than feisty, O'Reilly may be suffering from battle fatigue. Photos. (Sept. 25) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
No Spin Zone impresario Bill O'Reilly isn't watching America's cultural wars from the sidelines. His Culture Warrior first sets out the parameters of the conflicts between those who favor traditional values and those who see the U.S. is a secular-progressive country. Then O'Reilly wades into the battles himself, offering his signature opinions on religion, race, education, the abuse epidemic, the war on terror, and other issues.Publishers Weekly
In his latest screed, the host of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor mobilizes fellow "traditionalists" against a "secular-progressive movement" supposedly led by billionaire George Soros ("public enemy number one") and the liberal rhetorician George Lakoff. O'Reilly condemns the "erosion of societal discipline" flowing from an alleged "S-P [secular-progressive]" agenda of drug legalization, teenagers' rights, moral relativism, church-state separation, therapy instead of punishment for criminals and, above all, the "communist" freeloader's doctrine that the government should tax the rich to fund housing, health care and early-childhood education for the poor. None of this coheres well, but O'Reilly keeps fans stoked with red meat, including tales of ACLU Christmas-bashers who wanted schools to stop teaching kids to sing carols, and permissive judges who go easy on child molesters. Too often, though, he feuds with personal enemies like "smear-merchant" Al Franken, Hollywood liberals, press critics and unnamed "black-hearted websites." As a result, his populist swagger subsides into kvetching ("Clooney's press agent, a guy named Stan Rosenfield, began badmouthing me and Fox News around Hollywood") and paranoia ("S-P power-brokers... will command their forces to attack me in every way possible"). More resentful and self-pitying than feisty, O'Reilly may be suffering from battle fatigue. Photos. (Sept. 25) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Library Journal
O'Reilly brings years of broadcast experience to a reading style that is at once flowing and dramatic. The hint of Long Island that one hears during his often combative radio broadcasts has been toned down. Using many examples and copious details told in a well-reasoned style with which any Jesuit or muckraker would no doubt be pleased, O'Reilly points out that America is in the midst of an either/or war fought between the secular progressive forces headed by a powerful media elite funded by at least one messianic billionaire and those opposing forces made up of the traditionalist everyman. Compromise between them—even on some issues—does not seem to be a viable alternative. Each CD ends without announcement, which seems a bit jarring, rather like forgetting to wear a tie with a business suit. Still, this program is highly recommended for libraries with an up-to-date political science or current affairs collection.
—David Faucheux
From the Publisher
“[Bill O’Reilly’s] aura of command is fascinating. Success gives him extra authority. He is diamond bright, ready to pounce, and never at a loss for words.…I left Mr. O’Reilly’s super-hot domain trying to think of whom he reminded me. It came to me: Gen. George S. Patton, complete with ivory-handled revolvers on his hips, couldn’t exude more confidence, certainty, and know-how than Bill O’Reilly. No wonder Fox feels he’s their gem. His mojo is at an all-time high!”—Liz Smith, syndicated columnist