Stephen Hawkin, and other fairly clever looking people, have theorised that the universe was first formed about 13 Billion years ago.  There was a big bang of some sort, then lots of hydrogen and stuff appeared, then not much happened for a while, then the earth was formed, cooled, monkeys shaved themselves, walked on two legs for a bit of a laugh, then invented parking-distance-sensors and mobile phones with built in digital cameras.  That's pretty much the history of the universe.  Except, we missed out one small detail.  Just after the Big Bang Micheal Moore (who was probably little more than a few hydrogen atoms at the time) published his book 'Stupid White Men', and it has remained in the Best Sellers Chart for the 13 Billion years that followed.  At least, that is what it seems like.  This book has not been out of the top 20 in most book charts for the past 18 months.

So, is it any good?  Well, yes and no.  I could end this review there, and leave it at that.  But then you'd feel a bit short changed if I didn't try to justify my opinion in some way.  So lets begin with the good bit.

This book is probably most famous for Moore's views on the current U.S. administration.  He provides colourful details about how the election was rigged, and gives readers reason to hate little Mr. Bush even more than thet did before they started reading.  Moore's writing is both shocking, satirical and darkly funny.  He will win most readers over to his views with ease as they read the details about his the U.S. presidential election was rigged, distorted and manipulated.  After reading this early chapter you're left gagging for more, wondering what other corruption in America is going to fall under Moore's spotlight.  So what follows?

Well, for a book that is packed full of facts and statistics this books is short of one important element:  'Facts & Statistics'.  You see, although there are shocking figures and statistics throughout the book, Moore repeatedly makes some of his most bold and attention-grabbing claims without publication of any supporting evidence, research or figures.  Ok, so this is not an academic thesis, but look how easy it is:

"9 out of 10 Chinese American Citizens will at some point in their lives be killed by a tennis ball."

No, this is not one of Moore's claims, but one I just made up.  See, it was very easy to do.  I did not have to provide any evidence or research, I just produced a shocking claim that backs whatever argument I'm making.  Sure, you don't believe what I just claimed, but most readers will believe such claims when coming from Moore's pen.  Some of the claims he makes are just as extreme as the rubbish I just invented:

"Detroit has a higher infant mortality rate than all African countries except Libia, Mauritius and the Seychelles"

Now, Michael.  You have offered no evidence or statistics to back up this ridiculous claim.  Some African countries are constantly on the brink of famine, with obscenely high infant mortality rates.  And in many African countries the AIDS epidemic is so widespread that as many as one in four children are unlikely to live past their third birthday.  I've never been to Detroit, but since evidence is apparently not required in a discussion with you then I state the following fact:  Moore, you are an idiot.

Moore goes on to make the bold claim that in America no White people have any black people as friends.  And any who say they have black friends are lying to appear sympathetic.  Now, don't get me wrong, in our country we have as big a problem with racism and equal opportunities  as America has, but it's extremes are generally proporgated by a relativly small minority.  I have friends and colleagues from other ethnic groups, as does everyone I know.  But apparently in Moore's world Americans don't, ever.  Interesting revalation there.  Must be true, it's in print.

So as well as pages of untrue (or at least unsupported) facts, what else does Moore offer.  Well, luckily for America Moore has the simple answers to many of the worlds problems.  Shame he didn't think to tamper with the ballot chads and get elected president, otherwise he would probably have implemented them all by now and the world would be a much better place.  So what solutions does he have:

Well, firstly his solution to the problems in Israel, Palestine and the Gaza strip is that of non-violent civil disobedience.  Sounds good in principle.  Of course, this is emblazened with more unsupported Moore-ish facts, such as "In every country that non-violent protest has been attempted for a regime change it HAS NEVER FAILED".  We'll forgive him for that one, the average American world map only just stretches to include Canada and Mexico, so as far as he knows his claim is correct.  Just don't sail too far east or west buddy, there be beasties here !   He advises Palestinians to stop fighting. and simply sit or lay down in the roads to stop the Israelies getting past you.  Now, Moore, I know CNN's world news covers only the American view of what makes up "The whole world" so you won't have seen this, but let me assure the, PALESTINIANS TRY THIS EVERY DAY.  They block roads, they attempt to lay infront of the buldozers of the Israelies who are trying to buldoze their houses, and guess what... they get buldozed to.  They have died in their hundreds.  When you have an enemy who wants you dead, if they are prepared to shoot you, what makes you think they are not willing to simply drive their tank or buldozer over you.  It takes a lot of Palestinian bodies to clog up the wheels of a tank.

So what other solutions does he offer.  Well, as well as also offerring shallow and misinformed "golden-bullet" solutions for the problems in Northen Ireland and the former Yugoslavia, he also has an easy solution for the persecuted and impoverished black people of America.  And that is......  move to Barbados.  Describing it as the ideal way for a Black American to return to his roots, as 80% of the population there are African, life expectency is long, it's peaceful and crime is non-existant.  Now, Moore, I'm assuming you've never been there, so let me correct you on a few points.  If you actually travel around the island of Barbados you will find that there is a relatively high level of crime and poverty.  The average black citizen there lives in a tiny little hut or corrogated iron shack.  Most properties, that can afford it (in the native residential areas, not the tourist villas) have bars on all windows and doors to prevent burglers.  Guns are freely available there, unlicenced, and you can often see "Guns for sale" signs while driving.  Also, because of the rich tourist trade there, the cost of living is enormous (for example, on my last visit it cost $28 for a bottle of Ribena, and £8 for a daily Newspaper).  This is generally because the wealthy tourists can afford to pay this.  They can also afford to pay for the massive security and police presence that is in place in most hotels and tourist areas (and trust me, they are everywhere, all over the beaches, hotels and resorts, with police permantly stationed in many bigger tourist shops), so maybe it is this that helps your "promised-land" solution for Americas black population seem so safe and secure for them.  By the same logic you should offer ethnic minorities the opportunity to emigrate to Disney Land to escape their persecution, where crime is low, food is readily available from a variety of outlets and rollercoasters furnish every street corner.  Again, Moore, please think these things through.

Don't get me wrong, Moore's heart appears to be in the right place (mostly) although unfortunately he ruins some good messages in his book with outrageous claims, facts and suggestions.  In many ways this book is also just a vehicle for his political views, and he even uses some later chapters to promote and support specific politicians that he is associated with. 

Amercia may be full of Stupid White Men, but one in particular, the one whos grinning picture sits on the cover of this book, may be one of the Stupidest White Men of all.