Muzzled: From T-Ball to Terrorism--True Stories That Should Be Fiction

by Michael A. Smerconish

Analyzes the negative effects of the culture of political correctness, stressing the dangers to national security of striving too hard not to offend.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

292 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2006

Reviews

[Gone Readin' · Rating 2 out of 5]

MUZZLED by Michael A. Smerconish

First off, my friend Chip (and the guy I call my brother) would probably be surprised I even read this book. We tend to look at the world from opposites sides of the aisle. Anyway, I found this book – and I thought it looked interesting. I try to read one non-fiction book every couple of weeks to keep my feet fully planted in reality. Muzzled is a collection of 28 chapters that takes a somewhat humorous look at how we as a society have taken POLITICAL CORRECTNESS to an unhealthy level. As a teacher, I particularly enjoyed the chapter Seeing Purple. What I liked about this book was that I could read a couple of chapters, put it down for a few days, and pick it back up again with ease. The author makes a few good points, but overall the stories were long and boring. The topics range from frivolous to quite serious with some feeble attempt at humor. In the end, I felt that Smerconish is a bit biased and stuck on his own side of the aisle. Or maybe … my side of aisle just doesn’t understand why he whining about it all.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never had heard Smerconish on the radio. Wasn't real sure who he was. He has did a lot of research on this book. Has very short chapters dealing with a topic and gives his views on it. Such as giving trophies now to kids for anything and everything including just participating or the intellectual design theory. It's a mostly conversative view book just warning you, but it's interesting. I enjoy the different topics and it got me thinking about how I felt about them.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael brings up some interesting points, however he's pretty conservative and some of this book was mildly offensive to me (which is ironic if you actually read the whole thing). I did enjoy his refreshing perspective on some issues, but some of it was just ridiculously over the top. I thought the last chapter was laughable. If he really wrote that letter to his son, it just goes to show what a douchebag he is.

Not my cup of tea, but it's definitely a point of view that I never hear.

[Fred · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you listen to his radio show in Philadelphia you already know just about everything he writes about in this book.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting anecdotes and stories of political correctness gone amuck in America!

[Jenninecraig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad but true commentary on the downward spiral our society is experiencing in regards to "socially accepted behavior."

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on Political Correctness going way overboard.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Says what everyone is thinking...great!

[Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad. Some of his examples are a little slow reading but he makes so very intersting points.

[Courtney Himes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a Republican, but this book, written by a Republican, is actually a really good read. Kudos to Michael Smerconish for voting Democrate this election!

[Kati · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the philosophy rang true, i was tired of the same old story, over and over again with no solution or no remedy.

[Becky Peart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the overall point that the author was trying to make. But it lost my attention pretty quick. Kinda hard to finish.