Interpreting the Bible Literally: is Not As Confusing As It Sounds

Those who understand the Bible in literal terms are constantly accused of not understanding the Bible in literal terms. Someone will point to the word "all" or "this" or "that" and charge that the Literalist does not take those words literally, therefore they are not truly understanding the Bible in literal terms. Is there any truth to this? Does the Literalist strive to understand the literal meaning of the Bible, and by doing so, is he required to understand every word in its most literal sense? The author sets out to show that within language, while not all words, phrases and verbiage are to be taken literally, all meaning derived from those same words, phrases and verbiage is to be taken literally. It is the actual meaning that matters. What's the difference? Is the Literalist simply pulling the wool over everyone else's eyes, in order to make the Bible say what they want it to say?