Right Turns

Unconventional Lessons From a Controversial Life

De: Michael Medved

Narrado por: Robertson Dean

Michael Medved is an orthodox Jew whose popular radio show is a favorite with evangelical Christians. As a nationally syndicated movie reviewer he made headlines with a controversial book titled Hollywood vs. America. He is a fervent and committed conservative who once worked 18-hour days in Bobby Kennedy's presidential campaign. And he counts among his friends both Rush Limbaugh and Hillary Clinton. He is a unique man, with a unique story to tell.

In Right Turns, Medved recounts his incredible journey from secularism to religion, from adventurous single man to devoted and doting husband and father, from gloomy critic of "our sick society" to optimistic and impassioned promoter of American patriotism. With conviction but without vitriol, he relates his sometimes painful but ultimately illuminating process of maturation. Right Turns is a candid, often funny, thoroughly captivating memoir that says a lot about the interplay of the personal and the political.

©2004 Michael Medved (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc.

Well written account of the political environment

I am about 5 years younger than the author and grew up about 15 miles (a world apart) from his L.A. area home. A friend of mine attended his high school though not when he was there. Medved's talk radio program was one of my favorites for its honesty and actual balance. This book is the same in those respects. I found his insights to be keen. He provides anecdotes about experiences working with the left in the 60s and on and exposes their hypocrisy, ignorance, tribalism and bigotry. My own experiences suggest that his observations were neither unique nor aberrations and he backs up his perceptions with pertinent data.
I too made a Right Turn as I matured.
The author shares a lot of personal details and information about his faith and family. At times that got a little too wordy. This is definitely an autobiographical account. He admits his own failings which can either be interpreted as humble or shameless --you decide. I admire him for his daringness which explains how he was able to get a good understanding of real people. (However being a woman and a parent I could never participate in nor advise his method (hitchhiking) as he was able to safely do--a sad commentary on the present state of our society.) He definitely has not lived in a bubble.
Although the story stops in the early 2000s many of the issues he describes, especially in regards to the media, continue to impact us. The groundwork for cancel culture is all laid out there.
The narration was excellent. I played it at 110% with no problem. My only real complaint is that the chapters in Audible seem to have no relation to the chapters in the book. The Audible's 23 chapters are each about 45 minutes but begin in the middle of chapters. (I believe the book has 35 chapters and the narrator announced the book chapter number and title as he began each.)
I would recommend Right Turns for anyone interested in an eyewitness to history type account, who would just like to understand the environment and background in which today's issues evolved or who just wants to understand conservative baby-boomers a little better.

Didn't want to stop listening

I bought the unabridged version of the book and am so glad I did. Michael's life story is a fascinating one, and as a former hitchhiker I really enjoyed hearing about those adventures! I only wish he'd come out with a sequel giving even more depth to his insight into the many political figures he's met. Good reader, great story, with some very surprising twists. And you don't have to be a conservative to enjoy it!

One man's quirky journey through life

Though not a big fan of his radio show, (I listen less than once every couple of months), this story of his journey thus far was endlessly fasinating. For the political junkie like me, to hear his impressions of the many people who crossed his path earlier in life was surprising. People you would expect him to savage, he had nothing but nice things to say. The twists and turns of his life and the lessons he offers from them I found both compelling and touching.

Surprisingly Engaging

I actually found many parallels to my own life while listening to this book. I didn't find it overly preachy but it was interesting to see what makes someone of Michaels background (i.e. liberal upbringing, schools, communities) become conservative in their own life. I too grew up with a more liberal influence and found as I got older that it didn't fit with my ideals and beliefs. Michael did a wonderful job and I always recommend the unabridged version since I like to know I heard every bit. The only negative was that Michael didn't narrate himself, but the narrator did a good job and kept me engaged.

Great for liberals and conservatives

We can all learn from other people's experiences. Medved walks the listener through the key moments in his life that changed him from a young naive peacenic liberal at Yale University to a staunch conservative advocate. Medved's 'right turns' are the events and revelations that have contributed to his moral compass and life understanding. Highly recommended. You can benefit from Medved's experiences without making the same mistakes he did.

Very interesting biography

I am not a fan of biographies generally, but I have listened to Medved on the radio and he is an interesting and knowledgeable story teller, so I figured, 'what the heck'. I listened over a week or two and it was a witty and enjoyable listen from a guy with a unique story to tell.

I gave it 4/5 stars overall because like I said, I'm not the biggest fan of biographies, they aren't going to really change your life, but Medved, as a professional broadcaster, did a lively job narrating the book.

The book as I recall talks about his politics only as it applies to his bio, but is not a preachy political book, so liberals or conservatives who like contemporary biographies would like it and not be put off.

Love the personal touch

This was one of the best personal stories I have ever read. Medved appeals to the heart and mind of the INDIVIDUAL, and I felt like he was speaking to me, personally. I can imagine that many others felt this way as well.

This is a special kind of artistry, and the story should appeal to people of various political stripes.

An interesting life!

I love Michael Medved and I was so entertained and enlightened about what makes him tick. What a fascinating and atypical childhood and young adulthood he had! My greatest disappointment was hearing the story told in first person by someone other than Michael himself. (He has a very distinctive voice that I really like listening to) But after awhile I got used to the narrator and focused on the story while imagining Medved saying it in my head. I think there is a version of this in audio format with Michael reading his own words, I was surprised when this version wasn't him.

Wow, a fan is lost!

I have listened to Mr. Medved for sometime and although I don't always agree with his views, I had always thought Mr. Medved a principled man who acts on a strong series of ethics. Reading this revealed that not only are his ethics inconsistent, but the inner arguments used to make his many points are extremely selective. It does not seem as if he has come to his conclusions through a series of experiences (ancedotal incidents or not) and his real reflection on them.
Medved makes the mistake of setting up his oligarchical position and then selectively pulling experiences from his past to try and justify this position. The moths have laid havok to the fabric of Medveds arguments, and I must reluctantly admit that through these holes I have seen the Emporer's new clothes.