The Real Stars: In Today's America, Who Are the True Heroes?

by Ben Stein, Phil DeMuth (Foreword)

Is Barbra Streisand a star? Is Bruce Springsteen a star? Is Sean Penn a star? Are any of the Hollywood players who endlessly complain about America (and make $20 million per picture) and say that America is a racist, imperialist country a star? Ben Stein doesn't think so. He says that the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America and fight for our freedom while risking their lives for $1,500 a month are the real stars. He says the real stars are the ones who fight fires and fight crime and teach autistic children for modest wages. When Ben wrote this in an online essay not too long ago, it became one of the most widely circulated pieces in the history of the Internet. Likewise, when Ben said that he had no idea who Nick and Jessica were and wondered why they got so much media attention, but that he knew for sure that here was no harm in Americans wishing each other Merry Christmas or hanging Christmas wreaths, and that as a Jew, he did not feel at all offended by the celebration of Christmas, his column was circulated to millions. These columns have appeared in The New York Times, on CBS News, in The American Spectator, and on E! Online. Here, Ben has compiled them into a book of commentaries that will help you get your head on straight about what is important in our world today and what is nonsense. You will feel anger, joy, and sadness as you read these essays . . . and you are sure to learn something valuable from all of them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

177 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

Benjamin Stein is a multifaceted American figure known for his work as a writer, lawyer, actor, comedian, and commentator on politics and economics. He began his public life as a speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, later gaining widespread recognition in the entertainment world for his deadpan comedic style. Stein became a pop culture icon through his role as the monotone economics teacher in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and as the host of Win Ben Stein’s Money, a game show that earned multiple Emmy Awards. He also played Dr. Arthur Neuman in The Mask and its sequel. A Yale Law School valedictorian, Stein worked as a lawyer for the Federal Trade Commission and taught law and economics at Pepperdine University.
A prolific columnist, Stein has contributed to The American Spectator, Newsmax, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. His books, often co-authored with Phil DeMuth, address financial planning and economic commentary. In 2008, he wrote and starred in Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, a controversial documentary criticized for promoting intelligent design.
Politically conservative, Stein has defended Nixon's legacy, expressed strong views on U.S. foreign policy, and advocated higher taxes on the wealthy to support military initiatives and reduce national debt. During the 2008 financial crisis, he came under scrutiny for downplaying early warning signs and misjudging the scale of the economic collapse.
Stein has also had an extensive voice acting and television career, appearing in series such as The Wonder Years, Seinfeld, and Family Guy, and voicing characters in The Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, and Animaniacs. His personal life includes a long-standing marriage to entertainment lawyer Alexandra Denman and homes in California, Idaho, and Washington, D.C. Though often polarizing in his opinions, Stein remains a recognizable figure across political, academic, and entertainment domains.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read and very interesting.

Stein is a funny, clever guy ... and very, very smart. He's worked in academia, politics, government, and Hollywood, and relates some great tales from "behind the curtain."

Stein doesn't sell bullshit - he's very open and honest in this book and whether your ideology and his are similar or not, I think this book has something for everyone.

[Corky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable book by a great American.

[Quinton Baran · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent selection of essays by Ben Stein, with his wit and perception mixed in well.

[Ross Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Win Ben Stein's Knowledge. Like an eclectic collection of devotionals, Ben comments about the ethics of economics, civic duty, how much we miss our parents when they're gone, the ephemeral nature of celebrity, and the exceptionalism of America. The only thing I would change about this book is the title. Many but not all of the short but powerful vignettes or speeches are about soldiers and servicemen and women. This is more like reading Ben Stein's journal, which is enjoyable, but you wouldn't know that from the front cover.