The book is a compilation of interviews and conferences with anarchism as the underlying theme. There are certain ideas that inevitably repeat, but it doesn't tire because of that.

I am a reader of Chomsky and have gotten used to his way of explaining things. Especially in his activist aspect, he avoids complicated theories that are only suitable for vanguards, initiates, and admirers of the unintelligible. Well, in this book, Chomsky is in a pure state. With his contradictions and his heterodox way of understanding anarchism, which I believe is the only libertarian way to face things. Orthodoxy has never suited anarchism well, nor has it ever gotten along well with the dogmas of faith, a typical error of Marxism.

This book is, at the same time, a good introduction to Chomskian thought and anarchism. It provides valuable insights into the ideas and perspectives of one of the most influential thinkers of our time. Whether you are new to anarchism or already familiar with it, this book offers a fresh and engaging look at the subject. It challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to think critically about the world around them. Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in social and political theory.

This is simply not a great read.

Understanding Power is indeed an excellent compilation of Chomsky's thought, and it even has a section on anarchism, provided that's what you're seeking. In fact, On Anarchism features a chapter dedicated to excerpts from Understanding Power, which was the sole interesting part that offered an insight into Chomsky's thoughts on anarchism, aside from his interview with Harry Kreisler presented in another chapter.

The book is structured as follows:

Chapter 1. Notes on Anarchism (20 pages): Presents a concise introduction to anarchist thought. This makes for an interesting read.

Chapter 2. Excerpts from Understanding Power (24 pages): This is the most engaging part of the book. It essentially contains some interviews with Chomsky.

Chapter 3. Part II of "Objectivity and Liberal Scholarship (55 pages): These are the dullest pages of the book. If you are knowledgeable about the Spanish Civil War and have read Jackson's account of it, this might hold significant interest for you. However, if you are new to anarchism and wish to learn about it, this book is definitely not the one for you. The majority of the pages are dedicated to a critique of someone else's account of the Spanish Civil War, which is admittedly one of the most popular and successful anarchist revolutions. But a person new to anarchism might first require some introduction to it.

Chapter 4. Interview with Harry Kreisler, from Political Awakenings (14 pages): Contains a brief and interesting interview with Chomsky.

Chapter 5. Language and Freedom (26 pages): This is a speech he initially delivered at the University Freedom and Humane Sciences Symposium. You can locate this on his website to determine if it interests you.

I would not recommend this book to those new to anarchism in the slightest. If you are familiar with the Spanish Civil War and particularly with Jackson's account of it, this might make a good read for you. For a detailed and outstanding insight into Chomsky's thought, please read Understanding Power.

Some chapters of this work really struck me as being profound. They delved deep into various themes and presented ideas that made me stop and think.

However, there were also some chapters that seemed a bit rambling. The author might have strayed a bit too far from the main point or included too many unnecessary details.

Overall, though, it was still a decent read. Despite the few flaws, there was enough substance and interest to keep me engaged throughout. It had its moments of brilliance and offered some valuable insights.

I would recommend this book to others who are looking for a thought-provoking read, even if it doesn't quite reach the level of a masterpiece. It has its strengths and weaknesses, but on the whole, it's a worthwhile addition to any bookshelf.

Como puerta de entrada a la ideología anarquista, este tema me ha gustado bastante. Ha despejado muchas dudas que tenía y me ha ofrecido multitud de referencias para consultar sobre el mismo. Además, ha dejado claro que el anarquismo no es un dogma estático. En cambio, es una ideología en constante evolución y progreso. Recoge muchas ideas de multitud de autores, prácticas y momentos históricos.

La visión de Chomsky sobre el anarquismo es que la autoridad debe siempre justificar su existencia. Y si no puede hacerlo, entonces esa autoridad deberá ser abolida y desafiada. Como ejemplo de aplicación del anarquismo a una sociedad real, Chomsky defiende decididamente en el capítulo 3 del libro el famoso caso español de la Guerra Civil: el de la revolución social de 1936 - 1937 en Barcelona y Aragón.

Me ha resultado verdaderamente impactante ver cómo prácticamente todas las facciones republicanas (excepto el POUM) se pusieron de acuerdo en aplastar y sofocar la revolución anarcosindicalista de la CNT en Cataluña, Aragón y demás lugares del territorio republicano. Esto muestra la complejidad y la importancia de entender la historia y la aplicación de la ideología anarquista en contextos reales.