Chomsky provides a detailed account of the role played by the United States in hindering the progress of the world, especially the "Third World," through its imperialist interventions in a large number of countries around the world. These interventions can be direct, such as the blatant military occupation in Vietnam, or indirect, such as the manipulation of emerging democracies and the support of client dictatorships, as in the case of Guatemala. What is remarkable about the book is its coherent and historical account of the imperialist history that distinguishes the United States as a country above international law and human rights. Chomsky provides numerous historical events to prove this point. Not to mention the American colonial role in directing the economy of the global market to benefit a handful of imperialist capitalist corporations, making it the sole arbiter of the fates of nations and turning the world into a consumer that can be exploited for the sake of the progress of the imperialist beast!