Review of Ten Assholes and a Curmudgeon

[Chris Alex Powell]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Ten Assholes and a Curmudgeon" by Bruce Workman.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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Ten Assholes and a Curmudgeon by Bruce Wayne Workman serves as a poignant social critique of American life and politics while also satirizing some notable figures whom the author finds objectionable. The book boldly addresses the contentious issues surrounding freedom of speech, the proliferation of falsehoods, and the blurred boundaries between acceptable lies and criminal behavior. Through the lens of his hometown, Findlay, the author talks about the complexities of political polarization, shedding light on the consequences of unchecked ideological fervor within local communities.

In its examination of political dynamics, the book exposes the manipulative tactics employed by politicians to deceive the masses while also delving into the underlying factors contributing to economic challenges such as inflation, natural events, and immigration policies. Workman's critique extends beyond the realm of politics to include reflections on societal reliance on social media over critical thinking and research. Additionally, the book offers insights into the divisive nature of American politics, particularly scrutinizing the Republican Party and its prominent figureheads, notably Donald Trump, whom the author accuses of posing a significant threat to the nation's democratic principles. The author also discusses prevalent misconceptions surrounding America's founding fathers and tackles several contentious religious issues, drawing attention to contradictions within the Bible's Old Testament. Mixed up with personal anecdotes from the author's childhood and adulthood, the book also features humorous parodies of American celebrities.

There are several positive aspects of the book. First, the work has been extensively edited, and as such, there is a dearth of grammatical errors, which has made it easier to read. The book is also written in a simplistic manner, and despite exploring some boring political topics, it still remained interesting. Although I may not agree with so much of what the author proposed, I found it easier to digest oftentimes because of its lightness. I like the author's firmness in his opinions and the fact that he isn't shy about expressing them. The book's straightforward narrative style and engaging presentation ensure that readers remain captivated. Because of this and other reasons above, I'm giving the book 3 out of 5 stars.

Despite this, there are also several negatives that warrant the removal of two stars. The author's arguments occasionally exhibit bias and lack thorough presentation, detracting from the overall coherence of the narrative. Workman's choice of coercive and aggressive rhetoric, particularly evident in his confrontational approach towards opposing viewpoints, has the potential to discourage so many readers. For instance, where he had proposed that Christians who wanted to instruct their children in the Christian religion should be made to individually pay for it, the author rather taunted them by suggesting that Christians who wanted to teach their children some "anti-science bullshit" should be made to pay for it as well as possibly charged with child abuse. The author also lacks tolerance for the opinions and decisions of others, and this is again reflected in his abusive and aggressive approach. Furthermore, the excessive use of profanity and aggressive language at times detracts from the book's credibility.

I recommend this book to lovers of non-fiction, contemporary politics, and societal lifestyles.

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Ten Assholes and a Curmudgeon
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[Osvaldo Borghese]

This book tells us about the American political and economic face of nowadays, there's a lot to discuss but in general, I appreciated the author's effort to talk about complicated arguments. Thanks for your interesting review.

[Baggett Yori]

As a prospective reader, this review offers a comprehensive overview of "Ten Assholes and a Curmudgeon" by Bruce Wayne Workman. The book seems to delve into a wide array of contentious issues within American society and politics, offering a blend of social critique, satire, and personal anecdotes.