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83 reviews
July 15,2025
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Solid interview collection from a good thinker.

This collection presents a wealth of insights and perspectives from a highly regarded thinker. However, it can be a bit challenging to fully understand and follow without having in-depth expertise in the events of the specific time period being discussed.

Nevertheless, it would be rather unfair to expect the interviewee to provide a comprehensive background on every single event during the interview.

The thinker's thoughts and ideas are still valuable and worthy of consideration, even if some of the context may be lacking for those without prior knowledge.

Overall, this interview collection offers a unique opportunity to gain access to the mind of a good thinker and explore their views on various topics.

It serves as a valuable resource for those interested in delving deeper into the subject matter and expanding their own understanding.

While it may require some additional research and effort on the part of the reader to fully appreciate, the rewards are well worth it.

July 15,2025
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Classic Chomsky. This work truly showcases the breadth of his intellectual capabilities and delves into a wide array of issues that pertain to society as a whole. It is quite remarkable that even though it was penned 10 years ago, the topics it addresses remain highly relevant in the present day. After immersing myself in a significant portion of Chomsky's work, I find that this particular piece serves as a sort of summary for my personal collection of his writings. It neatly encapsulates many of his key ideas and perspectives. I would unhesitatingly recommend it to anyone who has a desire to obtain a broad and comprehensive introduction to the work of this truly invaluable political mind. His insights and analyses have the power to challenge our assumptions and make us think more deeply about the world around us.

July 15,2025
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A short and easy-to-read book that is essential for those who want to keep their eyes wide open.

This book offers valuable insights and perspectives that can help readers gain a better understanding of the world around them.

It presents various ideas and concepts in a simple and accessible way, making it suitable for a wide range of audiences.

Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply someone who is interested in learning new things, this book has something to offer.

By reading it, you can expand your knowledge, enhance your critical thinking skills, and develop a more informed and discerning perspective.

So, if you are looking for a book that can help you keep your eyes open and stay informed, this is definitely one that you should consider reading.
July 15,2025
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His interviews are truly the best.

He has a unique ability to engage with his subjects in a way that brings out their true personalities and stories.

Whether it's a famous celebrity or an ordinary person with an extraordinary tale, he knows exactly how to ask the right questions and create a comfortable environment for them to open up.

The result is always an interview that is both informative and entertaining.

His attention to detail and his genuine interest in his interviewees make his interviews stand out from the rest.

People eagerly anticipate his next interview, knowing that they will be treated to a captivating and thought-provoking conversation.

His interviews have the power to inspire, educate, and entertain, making him one of the most talented interviewers in the business.
July 15,2025
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I discovered this book back in the early 2000's. At that time, I was eager to understand the real nature of the country where I was born and raised. It was a country where the US Supreme Court could nullify an entire state's ballots to install GWB as our President, a first in US history.

Chomsky's works are not easy to read. Especially when you are constantly shocked by the truths he reveals, your jaw drops and your brain hits the mental pause button. It is truly hard to accept that one has been deceived so thoroughly and for so long by so many in society.

This book motivated me to verify the information Chomsky was sharing. The information was so disturbing to me. Once, when I was in Chicago, I went to the public library and looked up one of the sources of Chomsky's quotes from social psychology and writer, Walter Lippmann, on the topic of propaganda. Sure enough, there it was, in a 1930's psychology encyclopedia, the very quote Chomsky had written and spoken about.

This book is a must-read for those who wish to uncover the truth about this country and how society operates against the working class for the benefit of the ruling (rich, non-working) class. I have read and re-read this book several times. As our society, leaving the second decade of the 21st century, spirals into a dark post-modern era, it always manages to point out something that I may have overlooked or forgotten.

July 15,2025
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I stopped reviewing Chomsky books because it seems that people's opinions about them are quite polarized. Either you like 'em or you don't. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground.

However, this particular book really caught my attention and struck me as being particularly relevant. It might be because of the current social and political climate we are in.

Chomsky's ideas and analysis often have a way of cutting through the noise and getting to the heart of the matter. His work challenges us to think critically about the world around us and question the status quo.

This book in particular offers some valuable insights and perspectives that I believe are worth exploring further. I'm looking forward to delving deeper into its pages and seeing what else I can learn from it.

Perhaps it will change my perspective on some things or give me a new way of looking at the world. Only time will tell. But for now, I'm excited to have discovered this book and can't wait to see where it takes me.
July 15,2025
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Honestly speaking, I don't have a particular fondness for dialogue books. Even when the topic at hand intrigues me, there's something about the format that doesn't quite click with me. Take, for example, the works of Noam Chomsky. He is an extremely important figure to get to know about. His ideas and theories have had a profound impact on various fields. However, when presented in a dialogue format, it sometimes feels a bit disjointed to me.


Maybe it's because I prefer a more linear and structured approach to learning. But then again, there are exceptions. Plato's Apology is one such example. There's something about the way the dialogue unfolds in that work that draws me in and makes me eager to learn more. It shows that while I may have a general aversion to dialogue books, there are certain ones that can still capture my attention and engage me on a deeper level.

July 15,2025
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I've always heard great things about American linguist and famed dissident Noam Chomsky. So, I borrowed this book from the local library.


Granted that the interviews were given close to a decade ago, the material still remains highly relevant to the modern-day social malaise that is afflicting countries all over the world. By posing simple questions, Chomsky skillfully dissects the concepts that we have long taken for granted. This makes for truly thought-provoking reading.


For example, the idea that uneducated people are, in a sense, liberalized because they are free to think and construct their own ideas outside of the realm of education, which he views as a systematic and propagandistic indoctrination of the people.


I also particularly relished how he cuts through the bullshit and the trumped-up statistics presented by governments and analysts to reveal the truth (if there can ever truly be one, as Mr. Chomsky would highly dispute) behind the smoke screens of "economic growth" that are put up to distract us from the inequality and poverty that are plaguing modern-day societies.


Speaking as a rather ignorant reader, I also found some of the cases he mentioned to be useful. However, I had to conduct my own research on them since little context was provided.


Edward Herman's questions were okay, although he sometimes asked the wrong questions, which Chomsky would quickly shoot down. I would have preferred if the book was entirely penned by Chomsky instead of being a compilation of his interview excerpts, so that there could be more clarity in the prose.


Overall, it is a highly enjoyable and interesting read and a great start to my Chomsky collection.
July 15,2025
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I have definitely learned more about how everyone lies.

Lying is a complex and common human behavior. It can take many forms, from small white lies to more serious deceptions.

Sometimes, people lie to protect themselves or others, while other times they may lie to gain an advantage or avoid consequences.

I have come to realize that lies can have a significant impact on relationships, trust, and even our own self-esteem.

By understanding how and why people lie, we can better protect ourselves and make more informed decisions.

It is also important to be honest with ourselves and others, as honesty is the foundation of healthy relationships and a fulfilling life.

Overall, learning about how everyone lies has been a valuable and eye-opening experience for me.
July 15,2025
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This is fine, and it's pretty typical Chomsky.

If you're an Audible subscriber, it's available in audio form for free. That, or getting the book from the library or something for free, is the only reason I'd suggest reading it.

There are better works by Chomsky and better materials covering what's in this book. However, in the end, it's not bad. It's just kind of meh and sometimes feels a little outdated.

There are some decent interviews in it, but at this point in time, they probably don't really need to be in a book format.

Overall, it's an average offering from Chomsky that might be worth a look if you can get it for free, but there are better options out there if you're really interested in his ideas.
July 15,2025
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One of the trips that is extremely vivid and clear in my memory is the journey to Fred Hampton's funeral.

Fred Hampton was a remarkable individual who should have rightfully been regarded as a 'public intellectual,' a figure of great significance and importance.

Tragically, he was brutally murdered. It was a blatant and straightforward Gestapo-style assassination that was meticulously set up by the FBI. That is precisely what it was, and there is no need for us to engage in any debate regarding the facts.

These facts were all conceded in court.

How many people actually remember Fred Hampton? In truth, he was assassinated by the Nixon administration. Astonishingly, this crucial aspect never came to light during the Watergate scandal.

It seems that when it comes to assassinating a black leader, it is somehow considered acceptable.

This is a disturbing and unjust reality that we must not forget or overlook.
July 15,2025
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Noam Chomsky is a renowned scholar whose works, a collection of essays and interviews, delve into the complex ways in which governments, particularly that of the United States of America, employ propaganda to shape public opinion and divert attention.

He astutely points out the hypocrisy in the American government's stance. For instance, it criticized the Khmer Rouge for emptying out Phnom Penh, yet conveniently overlooked its own actions of bombing the city and thereby driving out the residents.

Chomsky doesn't stop there; he also explores numerous other worldwide incidents and meticulously examines the American role within them.

The interviews span from the 1990s all the way through to the 2000s, providing a comprehensive and timely perspective.

Overall, it is truly fascinating and thought-provoking stuff that challenges our preconceived notions and forces us to look at global events from a more critical and informed standpoint.

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