Reviews
"Engaging and well executed, this book manages to achieve what other critiques and examinations of Moore's controversial documentary overlook. . . . Unlike many critics and pundits in the media, who have repeatedly attacked Moore's film, Toplin's approach exemplifies objectivity. He unabashedly points out the merits and the flaws of the film and gives each side of Fahrenheit 9/11 debate equal coverage, thus demonstrating what it truly means to be 'fair and balanced.'"-- Film & History "This book is both something of an audience study and a more traditional look at the content and meaning of the film. Toplin deftly combines both topics and produces a book that, while brief, is thorough, painstaking, and complete. . . . There is no doubt that Fahrenheit 9/11 is an important subject. Toplin presents convincing evidence that players from both the Right and the Left judged it to be at least potentially influential in the 2004 election. . . . This book is nicely written, to the point, and useful to those interested in the argumentative potential of contemporary documentary film."-- Journal of American History "Providing interesting insights into the craft of documentary filmmaking, this book demonstrates how Moore's films reflect traditional techniques and how critics have seemingly held him to different standards than they have others working in the genre. . . . Recommended."-- Choice "While clearly on Moore's side and convinced of the fundamental truth of the film's argument--Toplin believes it 'made history'--he concedes that some of its points could have been made less controversially. Nevertheless, the 'most important message of Fahrenheit 9/11 is that the war with Iraq was unnecessary.' Toplin is mostly addressing his political community, but film students may also pick up some valuable information."-- Publishers Weekly, This is a fascinating and thoughtful look at the complicated force of nature that is Michael Moore and the very serious issues of politics, partisanship, craft, and aesthetics that get stirred up in the wake of his films.-- Ken Burns , filmmaker Offers insights into the ways that public debate about Moores film--by far the biggest box office success of any documentary ever made--overshadowed the film itself.-- Michael Renov , author of The Subject of Documentary The best single source of detailed commentary on Fahrenheit 9/11 and the debate that swirled about it.-- Bill Nichols , author of Representing Reality, This is a fascinating and thoughtful look at the complicated force of nature that is Michael Moore and the very serious issues of politics, partisanship, craft, and aesthetics that get stirred up in the wake of his films.Ken Burns , filmmaker Offers insights into the ways that public debate about Moores filmby far the biggest box office success of any documentary ever madeovershadowed the film itself.Michael Renov , author of The Subject of Documentary The best single source of detailed commentary on Fahrenheit 9/11 and the debate that swirled about it.Bill Nichols , author of Representing Reality, "Engaging and well executed, this book manages to achieve what other critiques and examinations of Moores controversial documentary overlook. . . . Unlike many critics and pundits in the media, who have repeatedly attacked Moores film, Toplins approach exemplifies objectivity. He unabashedly points out the merits and the flaws of the film and gives each side of Fahrenheit 9/11 debate equal coverage, thus demonstrating what it truly means to be fair and balanced."Film & History "This book is both something of an audience study and a more traditional look at the content and meaning of the film. Toplin deftly combines both topics and produces a book that, while brief, is thorough, painstaking, and complete. . . . There is no doubt that Fahrenheit 9/11 is an important subject. Toplin presents convincing evidence that players from both the Right and the Left judged it to be at least potentially influential in the 2004 election. . . . This book is nicely written, to the point, and useful to those interested in the argumentative potential of contemporary documentary film."Journal of American History "Providing interesting insights into the craft of documentary filmmaking, this book demonstrates how Moores films reflect traditional techniques and how critics have seemingly held him to different standards than they have others working in the genre. . . . Recommended."Choice "While clearly on Moores side and convinced of the fundamental truth of the films argumentToplin believes it made historyhe concedes that some of its points could have been made less controversially. Nevertheless, the most important message of Fahrenheit 9/11 is that the war with Iraq was unnecessary.Toplin is mostly addressing his political community, but film students may also pick up some valuable information."Publishers Weekly, "This is a fascinating and thoughtful look at the complicated force of nature that is Michael Moore and the very serious issues of politics, partisanship, craft, and aesthetics that get stirred up in the wake of his films."- Ken Burns , filmmaker "Offers insights into the ways that public debate about Moore's film--by far the biggest box office success of any documentary ever made--overshadowed the film itself."- Michael Renov , author of The Subject of Documentary "The best single source of detailed commentary on Fahrenheit 9/11 and the debate that swirled about it."- Bill Nichols , author of Representing Reality, This is a fascinating and thoughtful look at the complicated force of nature that is Michael Moore and the very serious issues of politics, partisanship, craft, and aesthetics that get stirred up in the wake of his films., "This is a fascinating and thoughtful look at the complicated force of nature that is Michael Moore and the very serious issues of politics, partisanship, craft, and aesthetics that get stirred up in the wake of his films."-- Ken Burns , filmmaker "Offers insights into the ways that public debate about Moore's film--by far the biggest box office success of any documentary ever made--overshadowed the film itself."-- Michael Renov , author of The Subject of Documentary "The best single source of detailed commentary on Fahrenheit 9/11 and the debate that swirled about it."-- Bill Nichols , author of Representing Reality
