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Liars: How Progressives Exploit Our Fears for Power and Control
Glenn Beck, the New York Times bestselling author of The Great Reset, reveals the cold truth behind the ideology of progressivism and how the tenets of this dangerous belief system are eroding the foundation of this country.Politics is no longer about pointing to a shining city on the hill; it’s about promising you a shiny new car for your driveway. The candidate who tells the people what they want to hear is usually the one who wins—no matter the truth. Politicians may be sleazy and spineless, but they’re not stupid. They see that the way to win is by first telling people everything that is wrong with the world, and then painting a Utopian vision that they’ll create right here on earth, one where no one is ever sick or hungry, jobless, or homeless. All we have to do is surrender our freedom and someone else’s wallet and they’ll make it happen. And so they continue to lie, and we continue to believe them, and they keep winning elections. The only way to break the cycle is to understand why Americans fall for the deception over and over again. Progressives from both parties exploit us by first pointing out the things we should be afraid of, and then offering us “solutions” to these fears—solutions that always require us to give up our freedoms. In his signature no-holds-barred way, Beck destroys the false promises of Progressivism and asks Why do we accept the lies?
353 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2016
131 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
About the author
Glenn Beck
70 books1,069 followersGlenn Edward Lee Beck is one of America's leading radio and television personalities. His quick wit, candid opinions and engaging personality have made The Glenn Beck Program the third highest rated radio program in America and Glenn Beck, one of the most successful new shows on the Fox News Channel. His unique blend of modern-day storytelling and insightful views on current events allowed him to achieve the extraordinary feat of having #1 New York Times bestsellers in both fiction and non-fiction. Beck also stars in a live stage show and is the publisher of Fusion magazine.
Online, he is the editor of GlennBeck.com and the publisher of TheBlaze.com.
Beck is the author of six consecutive #1 New York Times Bestsellers including his latest book, the thriller The Overton Window. When The Christmas Sweater, his first novel, debuted at #1 on the fiction list, Beck became one of a handful of authors to write books that reached #1 on both the fiction and non-fiction NYT lists.
Online, he is the editor of GlennBeck.com and the publisher of TheBlaze.com.
Beck is the author of six consecutive #1 New York Times Bestsellers including his latest book, the thriller The Overton Window. When The Christmas Sweater, his first novel, debuted at #1 on the fiction list, Beck became one of a handful of authors to write books that reached #1 on both the fiction and non-fiction NYT lists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
January 30, 2022
Liars: How Progressives Exploit Our Fears for Power and Control (Kindle Edition)
by Glenn Beck, #1 bestselling author and radio host, reveals the cold truth behind the ideology of progressivism and how the tenets of this dangerous belief system are eroding the foundation of this country.
WHY DO WE ACCEPT THE LIES? Politics is no longer about pointing to a shining city on the hill; it’s about promising you a shiny new car for your driveway. The candidate who tells the people what they want to hear is usually the one who wins—facts be damned.
Politicians may be sleazy and spineless, but they’re not stupid. They see that the way to win is by first telling people everything that is wrong with the world, and then painting a vision of the life they want—a Utopian vision that they’ll create right here on earth, one where no one is ever sick or hungry, jobless, or homeless. All we have to do is surrender our freedom and someone else’s wallet and they’ll make it happen. And so they continue to lie, and we continue to believe them, and they keep winning elections.
The only way to break the cycle is to understand why Americans fall for the deception over and over again. In Liars, #1 bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio host Glenn Beck reveals the startlingly simple answer: fear. At our most basic level, we’re all afraid of something. Progressives from both parties exploit this by first pointing out the things we should be afraid of, and then offering us “solutions” to these fears. Solutions that always require us to give up our freedoms. Solutions that are based on two things: lies, and an unrelenting hunger for power and control.
In his signature no-holds-barred way, Beck destroys the false promises of Progressivism and takes us through its history, showing how each “wave” built up on the one before it, ultimately washing up to the beach in the form of Barack Obama—and whoever is next.
by Glenn Beck, #1 bestselling author and radio host, reveals the cold truth behind the ideology of progressivism and how the tenets of this dangerous belief system are eroding the foundation of this country.
WHY DO WE ACCEPT THE LIES? Politics is no longer about pointing to a shining city on the hill; it’s about promising you a shiny new car for your driveway. The candidate who tells the people what they want to hear is usually the one who wins—facts be damned.
Politicians may be sleazy and spineless, but they’re not stupid. They see that the way to win is by first telling people everything that is wrong with the world, and then painting a vision of the life they want—a Utopian vision that they’ll create right here on earth, one where no one is ever sick or hungry, jobless, or homeless. All we have to do is surrender our freedom and someone else’s wallet and they’ll make it happen. And so they continue to lie, and we continue to believe them, and they keep winning elections.
The only way to break the cycle is to understand why Americans fall for the deception over and over again. In Liars, #1 bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio host Glenn Beck reveals the startlingly simple answer: fear. At our most basic level, we’re all afraid of something. Progressives from both parties exploit this by first pointing out the things we should be afraid of, and then offering us “solutions” to these fears. Solutions that always require us to give up our freedoms. Solutions that are based on two things: lies, and an unrelenting hunger for power and control.
In his signature no-holds-barred way, Beck destroys the false promises of Progressivism and takes us through its history, showing how each “wave” built up on the one before it, ultimately washing up to the beach in the form of Barack Obama—and whoever is next.
September 11, 2016
This is probably first and foremost a history book. But it's not your traditional history book. It's a history of some of the ugliest moments in our nation's history.
There were a few things that stood out to me. One was Woodrow Wilson's administration. He was wildly racist and gave real legitimacy to the KKK. He actually screened the move The Birth of a Nation in the White House. (The story of the founding of the KKK). He spoke broadly about the invisible empire of the south rising up to protect us.
The thing that really stood out to me was the parallels between him and Donald Trump. It made me wonder if a Trump presidency would grant the same kind of legitimacy to anti-Mexican and anti-Muslim hatred that Wilson's presidency did to the KKK. It took until the 1960s to really purge the nation of Wilson's legacy. How long would it take to purge us of a Trump presidency?
The sad thing is that the alternative to Trump is just as bad. We have Hillary Clinton who has said, "I admire Margaret Sanger enormously." Margaret Sanger is another monster. Here are a few quotes by her from the book:
"The most merciful thing that the large family does to one of its members is to kill it."
"The first step would thus be to control the intake and output of morons, mental defectives, epileptics. The second step would be to take an inventory of the secondary group such as illiterates, paupers, unemployables, criminals, prostitutes, dope-fiends; classify them in special departments under government medical protection and segregate."
"We don't want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the negro population."
She even spoke to the Ku Klux Klan about her beliefs on race improvement and how it is necessary to create a "race of thoroughbreds".
It makes me wonder if people like Hillary Clinton just don't know their history or if they really are okay with Margaret Sanger's desire to segregate the mentally handicapped and work toward genocide of black Americans.
There are other nuggets of astonishingly terrible things from those hailed by history as heroes. LBJ made millions from the Vietnam War. FDR raised the minimum wage with the intent to make it impossible for black people to compete for work. And the list goes on.
This is definitely a worthwhile read. There are some fascinating stories here.
There were a few things that stood out to me. One was Woodrow Wilson's administration. He was wildly racist and gave real legitimacy to the KKK. He actually screened the move The Birth of a Nation in the White House. (The story of the founding of the KKK). He spoke broadly about the invisible empire of the south rising up to protect us.
The thing that really stood out to me was the parallels between him and Donald Trump. It made me wonder if a Trump presidency would grant the same kind of legitimacy to anti-Mexican and anti-Muslim hatred that Wilson's presidency did to the KKK. It took until the 1960s to really purge the nation of Wilson's legacy. How long would it take to purge us of a Trump presidency?
The sad thing is that the alternative to Trump is just as bad. We have Hillary Clinton who has said, "I admire Margaret Sanger enormously." Margaret Sanger is another monster. Here are a few quotes by her from the book:
"The most merciful thing that the large family does to one of its members is to kill it."
"The first step would thus be to control the intake and output of morons, mental defectives, epileptics. The second step would be to take an inventory of the secondary group such as illiterates, paupers, unemployables, criminals, prostitutes, dope-fiends; classify them in special departments under government medical protection and segregate."
"We don't want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the negro population."
She even spoke to the Ku Klux Klan about her beliefs on race improvement and how it is necessary to create a "race of thoroughbreds".
It makes me wonder if people like Hillary Clinton just don't know their history or if they really are okay with Margaret Sanger's desire to segregate the mentally handicapped and work toward genocide of black Americans.
There are other nuggets of astonishingly terrible things from those hailed by history as heroes. LBJ made millions from the Vietnam War. FDR raised the minimum wage with the intent to make it impossible for black people to compete for work. And the list goes on.
This is definitely a worthwhile read. There are some fascinating stories here.
January 13, 2018
I listened to the audio. I enjoyed Glenn Beck's performance in the beginning. Then it switched to the real narrator and it got much more serious. I liked the history lesson this provided. I also liked the orderly way things fell into place.
What I didn't like was the finger pointing. One can point out what certain parties/progressives do wrong, but it felt so lopsided. There is plenty of harm done by all parties, but there is also good things done. The finger pointing brings this down to 3 stars.
What I didn't like was the finger pointing. One can point out what certain parties/progressives do wrong, but it felt so lopsided. There is plenty of harm done by all parties, but there is also good things done. The finger pointing brings this down to 3 stars.
April 1, 2019
Wow, what a history book. I may not agree 100 percent with all Glenn's views. But there is a lot here that I never knew about and has only fueled my interest in increasing knowledge on all these people. Very informative and thought provoking.
October 14, 2016
This book is hard to describe, part history, part narrative non-fiction, part current events. I'm probably being a little too academic here, but I think there's a place for all three of these genres they just don't coexist well. Half of the book examines the progressive Presidents of the last century, I'm not sure what the other half does because I got bored with it and set it down. The book includes these narrative non-fiction vignettes which sometimes interrupt the flow of the book. I like narrative non-fiction, and I'm sure the vignettes are captivating for some, but I found them annoying at times. There's significant end notes in the book, but it sorely lacks footnoting which I think would add to the historical research that went in to creating this book. This book starts to feel like a history book and then Beck interjects his opinion. While I can't stand progressives as much as Beck, they're monsters and murderers, I just don't like the blend of the genres. I believe the book has merit, I just don't want to finish it, too many other books begging for my attention right now.
August 16, 2016
How Trump and Hillary exploit fear to gain power.
February 12, 2017
I typically read a 400 page book in 7-9 days. This one is under 300 pages and took me 4 months to read. Normally this means a bad book but in this case it took so long to read because I qualified his statements with some research and a lot of thought. Awesome book, relevant topic and a must read if you have any interest in, not only where we've been as a nation but more importantly where we're going as a people who's history has been established by a constitution that's not open for personal manipulation as some are trying to do currently. We have to defend our constitution by electing people who respect it and will defend it against all enemies both foreign and domestic. Individual liberties are under direct assault from those who want to control us and shame us into accepting their ideas instead of following our beliefs and principles.
August 18, 2016
The audiobook was an interesting listen. Beck covers the history of progressive rot that has been eating away at America since the early 1900's. The progressives are not always Democrats, but are Republicans as well. Beck covers the administrations of Wilson, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, LBJ, Carter, Clinton, Bush and Obama as well as key progressive figures in the Congress, and the court system as well as progressive advocates as Saul Alinsky and Margaret Sanger.
August 19, 2016
This book contained more history than I expected - which made the book even better.
The history of Slavery, KKK, Jim Crow = All Democrats.
In most high School text books, one will never hear that the Republican party was created to stop slavery, but it was. Not one Democrat voted to abolish slavery, all Republicans. Dems created Jim Crow laws. And the KKK - you guessed it - Democrats.
The history of Slavery, KKK, Jim Crow = All Democrats.
In most high School text books, one will never hear that the Republican party was created to stop slavery, but it was. Not one Democrat voted to abolish slavery, all Republicans. Dems created Jim Crow laws. And the KKK - you guessed it - Democrats.
August 15, 2016
I've come to really respect the opinions of Glenn Beck regarding those who make a living taking advantage of others. I'm glad I listened and I learned lots of things I didn't know before. It's nice to listen to intellectually stimulating books while I do my chores.
August 29, 2016
Great book exposing most all politicians as liars and thieves. I especially liked the story of Detroit: how it went from a boom town, to a mega city, to a ghost town. Glenn Beck should run for president. I would vote for him. We need a real conservative on the ballot.
August 18, 2016
A very good review of Progressivism in The United States of America.
Beck discusses the antecedents, development, and results of the Progressive socio-political mindset.
It is worth a read.
Beck discusses the antecedents, development, and results of the Progressive socio-political mindset.
It is worth a read.
July 2, 2017
rogressive policy in the United States has developed entitlement programs that have destroyed our National Debt and will continue to erode the stability of the United States. This book details the waves of progressives in the past 100 years starting with President Wilson.
Progressive policy mostly spawns from the Democratic party but also develops in the Republican party.
The presidents are the main focus including Wilson, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, LBJ, Carter, Clinton, Bush and Obama. In addition to presidents, progressive advocates such as Saul Alinsky and Margaret Sanger are discussed.
Glenn Beck interjects his typical radio show banter subtracting from the overall merits of the book. Sadly, writing a standard history book does not sell in the 21st century. Hence, Beck sprinkles in his personal narrative into this book.
Overall the book is a good read and important history lesson.
Progressive policy mostly spawns from the Democratic party but also develops in the Republican party.
The presidents are the main focus including Wilson, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, LBJ, Carter, Clinton, Bush and Obama. In addition to presidents, progressive advocates such as Saul Alinsky and Margaret Sanger are discussed.
Glenn Beck interjects his typical radio show banter subtracting from the overall merits of the book. Sadly, writing a standard history book does not sell in the 21st century. Hence, Beck sprinkles in his personal narrative into this book.
Overall the book is a good read and important history lesson.
July 16, 2024
A well-written journey of the history of progressivism in the United States including some of the main promoters such as Woodrow Wilson, John Dewey, both Roosevelts, Herbert Hoover, Barack Obama, and a several others of whom I was previously unaware. Neither of the primary political parties get a pass. Instead, motives and actions are weighed in the balance. Do they promote freedom or do they take it away. Do they trust the people or do they seek to control them? Do they believe the Constitution is written for the ages, or is it merely a document that is infinitely malleable to the desires and whims of those who are more evolved and intelligent than our founders?
Beck provides readers with an understanding of how progressives think and work their agenda, including the lies and misleading information they use to mask what they are really doing while convincing us, the public, that is all in our best interest.
A worthwhile read!
Beck provides readers with an understanding of how progressives think and work their agenda, including the lies and misleading information they use to mask what they are really doing while convincing us, the public, that is all in our best interest.
A worthwhile read!
September 15, 2023
This book reads like a Mark Levin treatise but on a more understandable level. (Levin books really challenge my reading intellect, but in a good way. Needed this Glenn Beck book to be more conversational, and it was.) A lot of the information was repetative but great for reinforement in retention of overall knowledge. The state of our nation is rather sad and depressing, especially knowing the mass of citizens don't even know they are being duped. The slow march of Progressivism has done a lot of damage to our heritage and culture. Are we too far gone? Probably not, but how do we dig ourselves out of this black hole we are in? We dig ourselves out the way we dug in...slowly but surely fighting the necessary battles on a daily basis. Please read this book for a great history of progressivism in this country and around the world.
December 22, 2016
The book Liars is a textbook that all should read. Beck illustrates the four worst liar presidents: Woodrow Wilson, F D Roosevelt, L B Johnson, and B O Obama. He finishes it off with the fifth possibility of Hillary Clinton. Beck couples their history with their liberal/progressive teachers and how they have brought us to where we are today. He enumerates the actual lies told about guns, environment/climate, income inequality, respect for the constitution, racial equality, and others. This book is a real historical eye opener. Beck does not offer much of a solution to our problems but offers this treatise to provide us a situational awareness of the dangers of progressivism all around us.
February 20, 2025
This is foremost a history book education us on how the monsters in American history, and how they came to be that way.
I knew about Margaret Sanger, and the horrific terrifying and racist comments she has made, but I didn't know what made her that way. Hilary Clinton idolizes her. No surprise.
I didn't know much about Lyndon Johnson. What a hot mess he was. What a horrible person.
I knew a little about Woodrow Wilson, but got to hear about all his racist and anti-American comments. (He supported the KKK) What a monster. Actually, they were/are all monsters.
This book illustrates how we are manipulated by politicians by using fear.
I knew about Margaret Sanger, and the horrific terrifying and racist comments she has made, but I didn't know what made her that way. Hilary Clinton idolizes her. No surprise.
I didn't know much about Lyndon Johnson. What a hot mess he was. What a horrible person.
I knew a little about Woodrow Wilson, but got to hear about all his racist and anti-American comments. (He supported the KKK) What a monster. Actually, they were/are all monsters.
This book illustrates how we are manipulated by politicians by using fear.
December 9, 2016
I really liked how Glenn showed the progression of progressive ideas and practices. I can now, understand how so many politicians believe what they are saying and not just repeating the latest talking points. I still believe however, that there is alot of dramatical exaggeration going on as well.
I also liked the Glenn included alot of his resource material as I also had to double check some of the facts that I hadn't heard of before. However, this material is difficult to pull up on an E-Reader and didn't discover it until I had finished the book.
I also liked the Glenn included alot of his resource material as I also had to double check some of the facts that I hadn't heard of before. However, this material is difficult to pull up on an E-Reader and didn't discover it until I had finished the book.
February 24, 2021
This is a topic that I've always been interested in ever since high school: the Progressive Movement within the two major political parties. The very thing most of the Progressive Democrats claim their conservative colleagues are, which they treat more like opponents, but LBJ and Sanger were exactly that proven yet these are their champions. I have read about LBJ in other books which beck confirmed. I liked the way he set up this book and back up his position with material and articles and quotes. Fear can be a powerful weapon. And when people have power they do not like to lose it.
September 17, 2023
Written in 2016, but seems more timely in 2023. Beck's examples of government overreach is sickening at times, Including short but thorough looks at the lives of several men and women in modern history who exploited the American people for personal gain. While it is true that not much changes, it is pretty eye-opening how little does in fact change. From Teddy Roosevelt to Lyndon Johnson to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, there is a long line of American Presidents and government officials implementing fear into the masses in order that they can control them. A worthwhile book.
March 10, 2017
Even if you think you don't like the author, this book is well worth the read. There are plenty of source notes at the of the book to look up where the author got his facts from, so there is no need to take his word for what is written. However, what he has written will give you pause and may give you a reason to look up the information just to say, "that can't be right".
March 25, 2017
Great book. Filled with information on the various political figureheads throughout the years that have brought about the progressive agenda. I would recommend this book to those interested in knowing more about progressives and the lies they tell.
VT Reading Challenge - #4 - "A Book about History"
VT Reading Challenge - #4 - "A Book about History"
July 28, 2025
Insightful
Provides historical context to the progressive movement. Well researched and quality connections between ideology and current issues. Read with an open mind and willingness to do more independent research on topics covered.
Provides historical context to the progressive movement. Well researched and quality connections between ideology and current issues. Read with an open mind and willingness to do more independent research on topics covered.
November 6, 2016
Check whatever you may think about Glenn Beck before you read this. His argument is well researched, articulated, and enlightening.
December 2, 2016
This would have been more interesting to read before the election. Beck is pretty good at history. He also touched on the KKK, Progressivism, etc. Not my favorite book, but OK.
March 9, 2018
I normally don't read non-fiction, but the history of Progressives was interesting.
April 12, 2020
Glenn very carefully and articulately lays out the blueprint of progressivism.
Read
May 31, 2020This book is an excellent read, especially now. It is the playbook of the Democratic governors and mayors on how to steal our Constitutional rights from us.
November 3, 2020
Great book that details history and how the progressive movement has been making gains. Scary to see what Glenn wrote about in 2015 is happening in 2020.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews