Not assembled by Chomsky himself, but rather by some brilliant editors who meticulously organized and precisely cut various pieces from numerous interviews with him. I truly adored this format.

It encompassed a far broader range of topics than I had anticipated, and the more conversational style made it much more accessible and easier to digest.

Now, let's move on to the more complex aspect of this review – the content itself. Given my limited knowledge about Chomsky, my approach to listening to this book was to pay closer attention to the facts and explanations regarding how and why things work, while tactfully allowing his ideas about how the world should be to simply pass in one ear and out the other. This strategy proved to be extremely effective.

Some of the topics covered include: US foreign policy and its brutal aggression, capitalism and how capital effectively governs the country, media/education/intellectualism and how they are predominantly used as propaganda tools, and dissent and how it has had a real impact on US government actions.

My two main takeaways are as follows:

- After delving deeper into how the world functions, the only way to cope with the impending depression and the feeling of being overwhelmed is to focus on the things we can change, enjoy them, and work towards changing them day by day, taking one step at a time until we witness an improvement.

- Although flawed, the current system functions reasonably well. We are living longer, and violence is minimal compared to the past. With a bit of luck, one can lead a decent life. This doesn't mean we should accept the status quo, but amidst our regular outrage about how messed up the world is, let's at least for a moment recognize the current complex (and, to me, surprising) balance.

A well-organized compilation of Noam Chomsky's lectures and interactions with the audience through question and answer sessions.

The majority of the real-world illustrations centered around events that took place during the 60s - 80s. It should be noted that all the talks themselves were from the 80s and 90s. As a result, it gave the impression of being not only a primer for radicals on various topics such as power, the media, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate institutions, community organizing, capitalism, and anarcho-syndicalism, but also a somewhat sanitized history lesson.

I must admit that I didn't concur with every single argument that Chomsky put forward. However, I'm fairly certain that he would actually approve of this lack of complete agreement. After all, Chomsky is known for promoting critical thinking and diverse perspectives. His work encourages readers and listeners to engage with the ideas presented and form their own opinions, rather than simply accepting everything at face value.

This collection provides a valuable opportunity for individuals to explore Chomsky's thoughts and theories, and to gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues he addresses.

Reading this enables you to have a comprehensive understanding of a band like Rage Against the Machine. Their album title "Evil Empire" wasn't merely for the sake of being provocative. It makes you realize that all those mindless action movies or cartoons you watched as a child, where the villain is a cruel, Machiavellian tyrant or perhaps some alien invaders, were less about subconscious fears and more about projecting our own guilt and shame onto our enemies.

Because those villains are us, and the U.S. is the cruel Machiavellian power that rules the world in pure, ravenous self-interest.

It has been incredibly ironic to read this during the chaos that is the 2016 GOP primary race. Firstly, Chomsky essentially predicted the phenomenon that was initiated by Reagan's handlers, perfected by Dubya's, and has now been completely detonated by a human H-bomb named Donald Trump. Secondly, and even more hilariously, was hearing Mitt Romney come out against Trump. What a sad fact that Romney is the GOP's "big gun" and talk about Trump ruining the U.S.'s status as the "city on the hill."

That, my dear sirs and madams, is truly hilarious. And outrageous. And depressing, that a large number of people still believe that the U.S. somehow possesses such a status. If you are one of those people, you should do us all a favor, but especially yourself, and read Noam Chomsky. Out of the three books I read, this is by far the best place to start because his talks and conversations are much more accessible than his dense, dry writings.

The word that most accurately describes Chomsky is "vital." The man is a global treasure, and may the gods help us when he's no longer with us. At least we'll still have his thoughts recorded. Just hide them well when Trump and his acolytes begin the book burnings.

Not Bad Reviews

@pointblaek

I could not read this book fast enough.

For it is not a thriller. There are too many facts, dates, and figures. I wondered if I don't remember them, what is the point. So, I started reading slowly.

But more importantly, the facts presented in this book are devastating. We cannot be smug in this modern era, believing that humans have become more sophisticated in terms of emotions and that there is respect for human life. After reading this book, you would say, "No, there isn't."

It makes you realize that despite our advancements in technology and other aspects of life, there are still many areas where we fall short. The book forces us to confront the harsh realities and question our assumptions. It serves as a wake-up call, urging us to look deeper and take action to make a positive change.

We need to be more aware of the world around us and the impact of our actions. This book is a powerful reminder that we have a long way to go in achieving true respect for human life and a more compassionate society.

This book is truly immense.

It precisely does what it claims on the cover. Presented in a really straightforward Q&A style, which is drawn from discussions and Q&A sessions held over the years between Chomsky and members of the public, he exposes how power perpetuates itself and suppresses those who would dare to challenge it.

He provides example after example to make it relevant to reality. Moreover, despite delving deeply into how some of the biggest hoaxes, tactics, and scams are carried out by the establishment on the public and how they disadvantage millions for the benefit of the rich and those in their favor, as well as those with an interest in the system remaining unchanged, he manages to interweave a message of hope.

Although it is quite old now, with the talks dating back to the nineties, it is still incredibly relevant and prescient. It offers valuable insights into the inner workings of power and how it impacts society, and serves as a reminder that we need to be vigilant and question the status quo.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of power and social change.

It's an interesting read.

Thought provoking, and it was good for its time. However, one should approach it with as much skepticism as Chomsky preaches.

He often misrepresents information, wrongly suggesting that association implies causation, among other fallacies.

Moreover, he has an overly one-sided view of the world, which weakens the strength of his arguments.

A more balanced discourse would be far more convincing.

It's important to critically analyze the content and not simply accept it at face value.

By doing so, we can gain a more accurate understanding of the subject matter and form our own well-informed opinions.

This way, we can avoid being misled by misinformation and fallacious reasoning.

Overall, while the read may have some value, it should be read with a discerning eye and a healthy dose of skepticism.

Chomsky is always a polarizing figure. On one hand, his passion for social justice and his detailed knowledge of the actions of power, both domestically and internationally, are truly remarkable.

He painstakingly gathers countless examples to show how the actions of the powerful often come at the expense of the common people, while corporations reap the benefits. It's as if he is looking through the same lens every day, uncovering the same patterns of exploitation.

On the other hand, his constant snarking and belittling of those he disagrees with can be quite tedious. He often dismisses Republicans, capitalists, and fundamentalists in a rather simplistic and derogatory way. His frequent claim that "an 8-year old could see all of this" comes across as arrogant and condescending.

I have read a significant amount of Chomsky's work and seen him speak a few times. I have a love/hate relationship with him. While I admire his commitment to exposing injustice, I also find his tone and approach off-putting at times. He rails against elitists, yet seems to solidify his own status as one. It's a complex and矛盾的situation.

Understanding Power is a captivating series of transcribed discussions between Chomsky and activists that took place during the late 80's and the 90's.

In these engaging conversations, Chomsky expounds on his views regarding the inner workings of the media and the complex power dynamics prevalent in our contemporary world.

Moreover, he delves deeply into his beliefs about the state of activism globally. He explores how it has been instrumental in transforming our world, how it can maintain its effectiveness, its current standing, and the numerous challenges it encounters.

The book is an excellent choice for those, like myself, who are reading Chomsky for the first time. The discussions cover a wide array of topics, enabling the reader to form a vivid understanding of Chomsky's philosophy and opinions.

It is a light read, written in a conversational style and replete with concrete examples from recent history, which helps to solidify the ideas in the reader's mind. Additionally, many of the ideas are reiterated several times in different contexts, depending on the topics under discussion, further enhancing the reader's comprehension.

However, I did have an issue with the book. I felt that the title was slightly misleading. The book is not solely about understanding power; rather, power is just one of the several topics explored during the discussions. So, if you are seeking a book that focuses exclusively on power and its functioning in the political sphere, this may not be the ideal choice. Furthermore, the conversational nature of the book makes it a bit disorganized. The topic being discussed at any given moment is the one that the conversation has naturally flowed to, resulting in some chapters where the book seems to jump from one topic to another in a seemingly random order.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in learning about Chomsky, or about history, politics, media, and activism. It offers valuable insights and perspectives that are sure to stimulate thought and discussion.

Great Book!

It is divided into bite-sized chapters, presented in a QnA form. That's precisely how I envision books should be. Written for simple-minded individuals like myself (unless it's a physics textbook), there is no attempt at persuasion, no jargon, just pure honesty and a plethora of surprising facts. It's not astonishing that the perspective of any young adult will transform and never be the same again.

Now, it's just sinking in that there have been numerous instances where Chomsky almost came to the verge of being erased from history. What a great soul! I love him. I love the book. I couldn't rate it highly enough.

Over the past year, I have delved into politics-related literature more extensively than in all the previous years combined.

Unsurprisingly, Noam Chomsky's ideas have had a profound impact on the shaping of my views.

I deliberately selected this particular book due to its complexity, and I was not let down.

"Understanding Power" offers a wealth of food for thought. It doesn't confine itself to just one subject matter; rather, it encompasses a wide range of crucial issues.

Overall, for someone like me who has been rather apolitical or simply unaware of the true workings of the world, this book has been an eye-opening experience. It has forced me to reevaluate my perspectives and has provided me with a deeper understanding of the political landscape.

I am now more informed and better equipped to engage in discussions about politics and social issues.

This book has truly been a game-changer for me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge and understanding of the world we live in.

1-10 Takeaways:

1) American foreign policy often resembles the actions of the mafia rather than a noble effort to spread democracy. Examples like Operation Mongoose, military aid to Israel, and the Vietnam War illustrate how the US has terrorized other nations for economic gain while presenting itself as the leading advocate of liberty. Chomsky provides a wealth of information on this, but personal research is needed to verify his claims.

2) Corporate Personhood has led to the combination of economic and political power, leaving politicians beholden to private business.

3) Power that cannot be justified should be dismantled.

4) Isolated publics feel powerless, and mass community protests are essential for changing the social and political landscape.

5) The media's main role is to manufacture consent, as seen when it describes foreign leaders who violate human rights as "moderates" if they align with US economic interests.

1-10 Questions:

1) In the US, what are the unjustifiable political, economic, and social powers? How can they be dismantled?

2) What is the best way to reverse Corporate Personhood?

3) How can community and social capital be increased in the US today?

For a long time, I was engaged in a ceaseless search, earnestly striving to gain some comprehension of the way the world operates.

Conspiracies, Ron Paul, Alex Jones... all exerted varying degrees of influence on me. Some of this influence was beneficial, while others were not.

However, with Chomsky and this book, I can truthfully assert that I finally managed to find some genuine understanding.

Chomsky's works have provided me with a unique perspective and a deeper analysis of various global issues. His incisive insights and comprehensive research have opened my eyes to the complex mechanisms and power dynamics that shape our world.

This book, in particular, has served as a catalyst for my intellectual growth, enabling me to see beyond the surface and uncover the hidden truths.

It has given me the confidence to question the status quo and seek alternative explanations. Through Chomsky's teachings, I have learned to think critically and independently, and to approach information with a healthy dose of skepticism.

In conclusion, Chomsky and this book have had a profound impact on my understanding of the world, and I am truly grateful for the knowledge and wisdom they have imparted.