This is a good introduction to some of the tenants of and arguments for modern conservative thought written by someone with a fair amount of power in shaping it on a popular level. Beck is an engaging and accessible writer. Even as someone who has fundamental disagreements with the author and not part of his target audience of white, older, middle-income property owners, I found it a quick and engaging read. In the sense that it was a interesting and readable book, I definitely enjoyed it.

In terms of contents, I had mixed reactions. On the one hand, Beck is right about many of the things he points out as problems. That is to say, things like government corruption, the cult of the expert, and the rotten nature of political parties and incumbency are all problems. And he's definitely right when he calls out politicians and bureaucrats for talking down to people and obscuring issues by saying they're too complicated or need to be handled by experts.

However, there are two major issues with the contents of the book. First, the premise that issues like global warming, the global economy and the US government can all function and be fixed by "common sense" is problematic. One of the things I admire about Beck is his repeated affirmation of his audience's ability to understand and change the world around them as common people - but his definition of what common sense means results in oversimplification of genuinely complex issues with oversimplified answers that, conveniently, are all in line with his brand of conservative thought. So for example, his answer to the federal budget deficit is - well, you wouldn't spend money you don't have, so we need to slash spending and run the government like you run a household. Problem is, the federal government (and the global economy) doesn't run like a household. ( )

Glenn Becks Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine 🍒🍒🍒
By Glenn Beck
2009

My biggest problem with this book, was not Glenn Becks smug ideas or beliefs.....it was not how he defines "Common Sense".......
The biggest problem for me was the actual writing.He continually resorts to cliches, and rhetoric.
Another problem for me were his opinions seem to alter and change, even flip flop on issues throughout the book.
I do agree....we do need a change. I'm not sure this book will inspire one....
The Thomas Paine essay saved this book.
Worth reading, but not a huge fan myself. ( )

I picked this up to try to listen to Glenn Beck from a neutral point of view to find the things I agree with and disagree with. I was surprised how many things I agreed with him on. However, his method to sway others to his point of view are abrasive, harsh, antagonizing and polarizing to the point that I was wishing that I didn't share his views. ( )

I'm a little late at getting to this book. Most of what I read I've heard on Beck's TV show. He does make some good points to ponder. The strongest chapter was the one on Progressivism. On the down side I wish he would be a little more civil in some of his discourse. ( )

Beck is right in premise and principle but makes numerous factual errors (especially but not only when presenting historical data) which destroy his point and fails to qualify assertions which need them. When writing about politics this is a big deal, not a small one. ( )