It is a very enjoyable read. Different from many books that handle complex issues, Chomsky's style is neither "jargon-y" nor "heavily academic". He avoids using big words that might be off-putting. The book is highly accessible and easy to understand.

Even though the speeches and lectures that make up this book were given in the late 1980s and early 1990s, they remain very relevant. Reading them in 2020 with the advantage of hindsight reveals how good they are. Many of the points Chomsky makes are still extremely relevant today and are arguably more urgent. These range from climate change, to huge socioeconomic inequalities, to capitalism and how corporations and special interests control the political process in the USA. The sections dealing with US foreign policy are very perceptive, especially considering that just a few years after these lectures, the USA would engage in some disastrous foreign policy blunders. For example, the invasion of Iraq plunged the whole region into chaos and led to millions of deaths, and the "infinity war" in Afghanistan started in late 2001, which will have dramatic consequences.

Chomsky's description of "conspiracy theories" is particularly useful, given how in our current era, conspiracy theories spread like wildfire. He clearly explains why the term can be silly and used to delegitimize actual criticisms against power. For instance, if someone is critical of "business leaders, lobbyists and government officials getting together over lunch or golf to discuss policies etc.", a counter-argument would be "you're just a crazy conspiracy theorist", and the concerns about business influence over policymaking are ridiculed.

Although the book's contents may be outdated in some respects, it is still an essential read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to have a better understanding of how politics work, how power operates, what the crucial issues affecting the world are, and how to oppose power. Even for people who are well-versed in politics, this is a good book and a kind of "refresher".

Noam Chomsky is truly an amazing and influential figure.

I was completely engrossed in this book as it offers a fascinating glimpse into his perspectives on a vast array of subjects.

It is truly invigorating to read the thoughts of a person who, first and foremost, is a dedicated seeker of truth.

Chomsky is both a pragmatist and an idealist, and he plays a crucial role in gently guiding society towards a more compassionate and humane direction.

He challenges each and every one of us to reevaluate our social, economic, and political structures and to consider alternative futures and the means to achieve them.

One of the quotes from the book that I particularly loved was this excerpt when someone inquired about how he manages to get up every morning and overcome the disheartening moments when social change appears sluggish or even unattainable.

He said, "Well, it's hard to introspect, but to the extent that I introspect about it, it's because you basically have two choices. One choice is to assume the worst, and then you can be guaranteed that it'll happen. The other is to assume that there's some hope for change, in which case it's possible that you can help to effect change. So you've got two choices, one guarantees the worst will happen, the other leaves open the possibility that things might get better. Given those choices, a decent person doesn't hesitate."

I also appreciate that Chomsky acknowledges both the heinous acts and the heroic deeds for which humans are accountable, yet he doesn't allow himself to become cynical about the former.

In fact, his book is predominantly hopeful; it is unapologetically honest, but still filled with hope.

Our world desperately needs more of this kind of outlook!

I'm always afraid of reading political things.

Firstly, because I'm scared of it being completely over my head.

Secondly, because I'm aware that I have a tendency to uncritically accept what people say. [This makes for a lot of fun if you read different points of views because everything everybody says (even the contradictory stuff) sounds 100% right:].

This book was very conversational. (Partly due to format, transcribed Q&A sessions and I imagine partly due to Chomsky's dislike of the idea of an 'intellectual' class apart from common folks). So it didn't run into the over my head problem.

It contains good interesting stuff, very grounded (it seems), very sane. This is extremely different from the sort of attitudes I got from socially conscious types I met at University. I'd always reacted a bit badly to them (while largely agreeing) because it felt like they were attacking Big Evil Names (I dunno, the IMF is EVIL or something) without putting things into perspective, seeing the big picture etc. Now it turns out that they were most likely the ones who knew what they were talking about and I was the ignorant one. But [and forgive me for committing this sin of stupid debating:] there was always something about their /tone/ that rubbed me the wrong way, something kind of well-meaning-but-stupid. Anyway, the point is that this sort of tone is totally absent from the book. It's well-meaning-and-tremendously-well-informed (and now makes me feel a bit guilty for my negative reaction to the dreadlocked vegans of my past).

I particularly like the idea that it's not so much that certain individuals or organisations are evil, but about institutions that reinforce/encourage/perpetuate evil behaviours (eg. CEO of BP is probably a perfectly nice chap, but...). It's also a bit uncomfortable to see how clueless I am about the kind of stuff that goes on in the world. Oh well.

It'd be nice to see what happens when smart right wing friends read this.

This is an essential and indispensable book for modern humanity. It is a must-read.

Noam Chomsky, now 91 years old, has a faint and slow voice. I suspect he won't be with us for much longer. However, his contributions are remarkable. Not only in his professional life studying language but also in his private life as the premier critic of the American way of life and the American empire. He is not just a genius but a broad one, beneficial to all of us. He holds the title of "Institute Professor" at MIT, with the incredible privilege of teaching a course in any department of the university, including both the sciences and the humanities.

This book is particularly appealing as it is a dialog. People attending Chomsky's lectures before 2000 pose questions to him and often follow up when something he says is unclear or appears contradictory. This results in a free-flowing text that covers a wide range of our modern situation.

Chomsky has always given intellectuals a good name. He speaks clearly with a simple vocabulary and a wonderful droll sense of humor that any audience can appreciate. He has traveled extensively across the country and the world to present his incisive opinions, relying on his incredible ability to digest a vast amount of information and remember it in detail even over decades. He claims to rely on others to send him clippings, but there is no doubt that his own readings have served him well. How many people do you know who have an Associated Press wire service in their homes? He only speaks of facts, and his opinions are tightly constrained by truth.

Knowing how easily despair can set in, Chomsky doesn't let it stop him. Although he freely admits that things can seem hopeless, he cites reasons to believe that we can take action to help ourselves if we work as a group rather than just complain. He refuses to be prophetic and calls for organization, given that solitary action can only produce very limited results. He states that things can change unexpectedly and rapidly, even when everything looks very dark. For all that analysis can provide us, tomorrow remains unknown.

At the same time, he is a socialist who calls for democracy to govern the allocation of wealth. In his view, capitalism, to the extent that it is free to operate without intervention, is a system that cannot last. By its very nature of demanding immediate and maximum profit, it will destroy the civilization that hosts it.

Power is first and foremost dedicated to maintaining itself. Nationalism presents a false picture that we are good and they are evil. Leaders will deceive us as well as themselves. The relatively few who hold power will act together to keep the many in ignorance and in a state of dependency, allowing for more or less complete control. More wealth will flow to the top, with the only limitation being the degree to which the many will tolerate the theft.

There is no part of this book that is better than the rest, and all of it is captivating reading, especially for Americans. The fact that it was published 20 years ago should not deter anyone from reading it. Time and again, the truth of Chomsky's words shines through. However, there is one paragraph from the book that I feel compelled to reproduce because the insight in it took my breath away. Chomsky writes about his travels in America, and keep in mind that this was written before 9/11 when Clinton was president:

...the country is very disturbed. You can see it in the polls and you can certainly see it traveling around - and I travel around a lot. There's complete disaffection about everything. People don't trust anyone, they think everyone's lying to them, everyone's working for somebody else. The whole civil society has broken down. And when you talk about the mood of the people - well, whether it's on right wing talk radio, or among students, or just among the general population, you get a very good reception these days for the kind of things I talk about. But it's scary, because if you came and told the people, "Clinton's organizing a UN army with aliens to come and carry out genocide, you'd better go to the hills." you'd get the same favorable response. That's the problem, you'd get the same favorable response. I mean you can go to the most reactionary parts of the country, or anywhere else and a thousand people will show up to listen and they'll be really excited about what you're saying - no matter what it is. That's the trouble: it's no matter what it is. Because people are so disillusioned by this point that they will believe almost anything.

I hate the thought that we will lose this man.

If “knowledge itself is power,” then this book is surely very powerful.

Using excerpts from discussions nearly thirty years ago, Noam Chomsky manages to cover an incredibly wide range of topics. It's truly astonishing how he can touch on so many different areas, from politics and society to language and culture.

What makes this book even more remarkable is the great clarity with which Chomsky presents his ideas. He doesn't shy away from complex issues but instead breaks them down into understandable components, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Moreover, the relevance of these discussions to today's world is truly remarkable. Despite being nearly three decades old, the issues and ideas raised in this book still resonate strongly and have important implications for our lives today.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in expanding their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. It's a powerful testament to the enduring value of knowledge and the importance of critical thinking.

It is always an absolute pleasure to deeply delve into the brilliant mind and intellect of Noam Chomsky. His insights and perspectives are truly remarkable.

Power is an extremely interesting and fascinating topic, despite the rather generic negative connotations that are often associated with it. In fact, power can be acquired and wielded in numerous ways, and this very aspect makes it all the more intriguing. There are various mechanisms and strategies through which power can be obtained and exercised.

Chomsky, with his keen intellect and astute analysis, has dissected some real-world situations and the complex power machinations that lie behind these situations in excruciating detail. He has a unique ability to uncover the hidden forces and dynamics at play, shedding light on aspects that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Overall, reading about Chomsky's thoughts and analyses on power is truly a good read. It offers a wealth of knowledge and a new way of looking at the world around us.

Noam Chomsky is a renowned figure. Apart from his significant scientific work on linguistics, especially his revolutionary generative grammar theory, he has been extremely vocal about his political views. Ever since he criticized the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, he has not held back. He has also made substantial contributions to media studies and the examination of propaganda in America, as seen in Manufacturing Consent. Even in his 90s today, Chomsky remains combative and is a towering, almost rock-star-like, presence in left-libertarian and anarcho-syndicalist academic circles.

This book is a compilation (with numerous footnotes) of several talks Chomsky gave in the U.S. around the 1990s, during the Clinton/Bush administrations. Essentially, he answers questions from his audience. Although most of these questions dealt with the current affairs of that time and are now obviously a bit outdated, the core of Chomsky's answers is still quite relevant over twenty years later.
He covers a wide range of topics, from media manipulation by corporate interests to freedom of speech, religious fanaticism and terrorism, state capitalism vs. communal libertarianism, the military-industrial complex and the nuclear threat, the Middle-East conflict, the Gulf War, the situation in East-Timor, climate change, activism and resistance, and the charlatanism of post-modern thinkers. (It's interesting to note his 1971 debate with Michel Foucault on human nature, which took place at the height of the antagonism between “continental” and “analytic” philosophy).
In conclusion, the entire book offers an analysis, from various perspectives, of the U.S. Totalitarian Empire State. It is truly a captivating book, although some of what Chomsky says may sound rather like a conspiracy theory. It is also puzzling that he has not been overly intimidated by the oppressive system he has been denouncing for so many years. Nevertheless, it is an indispensable work.

This is by far the best single source of Chomsky's work that I have ever come across. It is truly a triumph of editing.

The book is composed of excerpts from the talks that Chomsky delivered throughout the 80s and 90s. It is loosely organized by topic, which makes it highly flowing and eminently readable.

Moreover, it includes an encyclopedic reference section that is available online and is even longer than the main text of the book. This is precisely where I would recommend anyone who is not familiar with Chomsky's work to start. It is the most comprehensive and accessible compilation of his thoughts.

Many of the discussions quoted within are in the question and answer format, with the audience participation included in the text. Indeed, many of the audience questions are the obvious ones that anyone unfamiliar with the subject matter would have. And the opportunity to read Chomsky's detailed responses to a vast range of questions offers a much deeper understanding than simply reading one of his books on your own.

"Understanding Power" provides a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of the most brilliant, profound, and insightful social critics of our time. He touches on virtually every influential issue in US history. As a result, readers are bound to walk away with a much deeper appreciation for how power functions in society and how divergent American standard explanations of the world are from reality.

An eye-opening book,

it is accessible for almost everyone to read without too much trouble. It serves as a great introduction to numerous topics related to the politics of Power.

Packed within these 400 pages, Chomsky delves into US foreign policy and US politics in general. He also explores Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East. In addition, he discusses the histories of labour and social movements, the propaganda techniques of the mainstream media, the military-industrial complex, and the UN, just to name a few.

He further elaborates on activism and the need for people to come together and mobilize for change. I found Chapter 6 particularly interesting in this regard.

Chomsky doesn't provide answers to the difficult questions; instead, he only offers suggestions as it is up to people to decide what they desire for themselves and their futures. No one should ever make those decisions for you, and I truly admired that aspect.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to discover what is truly happening in the world and the reasons behind it.

P.S The extensive footnotes available online that accompany the book are also extremely useful and comprehensive.

In a word: eye-opening.

The book is based on interviews, lectures and seminars with Chomsky. This unique approach makes it feel like having a conversation with the great linguist himself.

Readers are able to gain insights into Chomsky's thoughts and ideas in a more personal and engaging way.

The content is presented in a clear and accessible manner, even for those who may not have a background in linguistics.

It covers a wide range of topics, including language acquisition, syntax, and semantics.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in language and linguistics. It offers a fascinating look into the mind of one of the most influential linguists of our time.

Whether you are a student, a researcher, or simply someone who loves language, this book is sure to leave you with a new perspective and a deeper understanding of the subject.

Radical. In a good way.

Being radical doesn't always have to carry a negative connotation. In fact, being radical in a good way can lead to great things.

A radical thinker is someone who is not afraid to challenge the status quo and come up with new and innovative ideas. They are willing to take risks and step outside of the box to achieve their goals.

Radical change can also be a positive thing. It can lead to progress and improvement in society. For example, the civil rights movement was a radical movement that brought about significant change in the United States.

In conclusion, being radical in a good way can be a powerful force for good. It can lead to new ideas, progress, and positive change. So, don't be afraid to be radical and think outside of the box. You might just make a difference.

Indispensable read, indeed.

This is not a book written by Chomsky in the traditional sense, but rather a collection of carefully edited transcripts of his interviews. In these interviews, he endeavors to assist the reader in comprehending the complex politics of power.

The discussions span a wide range of events, both international and domestic. On the international front, topics include the Vietnam War, the regime change in Nicaragua during the 1970s, and the Gulf War in the early 1990s. Domestically, within the US from the 1970s until the mid-1990s, he delves into various issues. He sharply criticizes the capitalist power structure in which the world, particularly the US, thrives. He argues that those in power deliberately exclude the common denominator of society from the purview of politics. Activism, according to him, is the sole ray of hope in challenging the might of the state and private power.

The media analysis presented is of such high quality that it becomes truly enjoyable after a certain point. He elucidates the role that the mainstream media plays and how the independent alternative media struggles to survive in this complex ecosystem, providing examples that range from print media to television. It would be fascinating to know his views in light of the advent of social media in today's age.

His scathing criticism of private capitalist interests that drive the democracies of the modern world, including their media, strikes a chord. Whether it is in the US or in India, this is something that we can all observe and relate to. He has no respect or reverence for any authority whatsoever.

Thankfully, he does offer some solutions and a glimmer of hope. He shows how the common person can get involved and hold power accountable for its actions. He believes that all great movements have begun and will continue to begin at the grass-root level.

Admittedly, the book can be tedious in parts, but it is an exceptionally educational and necessary read that offers valuable insights into the political and social landscape.