Citizen Moore: The Life and Times of an American Iconoclast

by Roger Rapoport

His fearless satirical assaults on formidable opponents like General Motors, the National Rifle Association and George W. Bush's White House, have made Michael Moore both a box office hit filmmaker and a bestselling author. For the first time this definitive biography traces the untold story of the 30 years of struggles and failures that led to his "overnight" success. To write this revealing, inspirational, often hilarious book, about the quintessential late bloomer, investigative reporter Roger Rapoport interviewed 250 people who played key roles in Michael Moore's life, from the nuns at his boyhood Catholic school to Ralph Nader and other employers - not to mention a seven-foot chicken! Anyone who loves (or detests) Michael Moore will find Citizen Moore an eye-opening book.

300 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2006

About the author

As a newspaper and magazine writer and aviation specialist Roger Rapoport has written in all 50 states, 6 Canadian provinces, and 30 foreign countries. A lifelong sailor and enthusiastic kayaker, he has traveled extensively throughout the Great Lakes, along the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Atlantic Coast.

Roger Rapoport graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts in Journalism in 1968 from the University of Michigan where he was editor of The Michigan Daily.

While working on a story for Ramparts Magazine he met his first wife, Margot Lind. They had a son & daughter and later divorced in 1993.

In 1978, Rapoport began to work at California newspapers, including The San Jose Mercury-News, the San Francisco Chronicle & the Oakland Tribune.

In 1991 Rapoport went to work for Ulysses Press in Berkeley learning about the publishing business.

In 1993 he launched his own publishing effort, RDR Books in Oakland, CA and has since published more than 60 books.

Rapoport met Martha Ferriby, director of Hackley Public Library, while in Michigan in 1995. They married in 2000.

Rapoport moved to Michigan in 2004.

In 2007 RDR became a defendant in the seminal fair use case J.K. Rowling. v. RDR Books, aka The Harry Potter Lexicon Case. Rapoport and Steve Vander Ark, founder of “The Harry Potter Lexicon” website had sought to publish a book version of the Vander Ark's Potter fans' website.

Author J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. claimed copyright infringement. RDR Books claimed the right to publish under the fair use doctrine.

Although RDR lost the case, Judge Robert B. Patterson Jr. awarded the plaintiffs less than $7,000 in damages for infringement, the minimum amount possible.

Judge Patterson concluded that "reference guides in general, including the Lexicon, are transformative in nature and capable of fair use protection, and that the Lexicon could be published with less appropriation from the original works. "

On January 16, 2009, RDR Books released The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction and Related Materials including more commentary than before the suit.
For more information see: Right to Write.

RDR Books is now closed. Most of the former RDR Book titles are now available from Ashley Creek Books.

Books written and edited by Roger Rapoport are now available from New Lake Books and Lexographic Press.

Rapoport published Steven Faulkner's Waterwalk. With Richard Harris he has since co-produced and adapted Faulkner's story for a film starring Robert Cicchini.

Reviews

[Richard Pasky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moore is like everyone else - more complicated than a sound bite, with surprising things about his background and personality once ou read and dig into details. He has found a position in society, as a lightning rod striking those who would call themselves conservatives. Moore went to parochial school through 8th grade, seriously considered a religious calling, and has never smoked or drank. Food of course is another thing altogether. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to know about the man behind the public image.

[Gina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get very far in this book. I could tell by the blurb that it was an anti-Michael Moore book disguised as a biography (I like Moore, but I also like having all the facts). Well, it was really a terribly written anti-Moore book disguised as a piece of poop made in somebody's grandmother's basement. Ick!

[James Lundy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hated to lose some of my respect for Michael Moore but there's enough bad history compiled in this book to make me think he's a flawed human after all. This book was like eating popcorn to me. No lasting effect. Probably hastily written and rushed into print.