Noam often whinges about how completely fucked America is.

His views, although they may seem a bit dated at times, still manage to raise some extremely interesting points.

He delves into the various aspects of American society, politics, and economy that he believes are in a state of disarray.

From the corrupt political system to the widening gap between the rich and the poor, Noam doesn't hold back in his criticism.

While some may dismiss his complaints as mere whining, it's important to consider the underlying issues he brings to light.

His insights can serve as a wake-up call for Americans to take a closer look at their country and work towards making positive changes.

Perhaps by addressing the problems Noam highlights, America can begin to turn itself around and become a better place for all its citizens.

America has a long history of meddling in the affairs of Asian, South American, and Middle Eastern countries.

It has often inserted its nose into the internal politics of these nations, overthrowing legitimate governments and installing dictators who would serve its own interests.

This meddling has had a devastating impact on the economies and societies of these countries, leaving them in a state of chaos and instability.

Chomsky points out that while Americans are often quick to ask what they can do to help, people in Latin America are taking matters into their own hands and organizing rallies and creating change.

It is a sad fact that many Americans seem to be oblivious to the harm that their country has caused around the world and act as if they don't know what to do.

Perhaps it is time for Americans to wake up and take responsibility for their actions and work towards building a more just and peaceful world.

A great introduction to Chomsky is presented in this book.

What makes it stand out is its dialogue format, which significantly enhances its readability when compared to his solo work.

The majority of the conversation within the book revolves around the early 2000s. However, it is remarkable to note that the topics discussed remain highly relevant even today.

Subjects such as the militarization of space, health care, and religion are explored in-depth.

The foresight demonstrated in this book is truly fascinating. It offers valuable insights and perspectives that can still be applied and considered in the present context.

Overall, this book serves as an excellent resource for those interested in understanding Chomsky's ideas and their continued significance in our modern world.

One of his shorter books,

yet it is still well worth the read.

Moreover, with the advantage of hindsight, it becomes even more illuminating.

This concise work manages to pack a powerful punch.

Despite its brevity, it offers valuable insights and perspectives that may not have been fully appreciated upon first reading.

As time passes and one gains more experience and knowledge, the true significance of the book's contents becomes clearer.

It serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most profound ideas can be presented in a compact and accessible format.

Whether you are a long-time fan of the author or new to his works, this shorter book is definitely one that should not be overlooked.

It has the potential to enhance your understanding and offer a fresh perspective on various topics.

So, don't be deterred by its length; give it a chance and discover the hidden gems within.

The book consists of separate and combined interviews over the years 2003 - 2004 - 2005.

Chomsky provides... The book has a very strong beginning to the extent that it makes the last part of it less rich, although it is also good. As usual, Chomsky innovates. So the information that seems random and scattered, Chomsky makes it into a single complete picture and it becomes extremely clear.

He continues to criticize American policy which relies on force and that the United States is above the law even when it has committed what it has counted as terrorism or violations of the law before by others. So for it, crimes are what its enemies do while it is out of the equation.

This book offers valuable insights into various aspects of international relations and the role of the United States. It challenges the reader to think critically about the actions and policies of powerful nations.

Overall, it is a thought-provoking read that can help us better understand the complex world we live in.

An excellent little book that can be quickly read. Chomsky has been arguing the same points so routinely for such a long time that, even in these unrehearsed and lightly edited interviews, he is fluent in listing off the detailed evidence on which he builds his arguments. Indeed, because they are interview notes, they read fluently and effectively in a way that more laborious and more academic writing would not match.

Chomsky's concern is that the USA is an imperfect democracy. "It has democratic institutions but they barely function... The genius of American politics has been to marginalize and isolate people." [p198] It operates for the benefit of a small elite and of the corporations which the elite have successfully but quite illegitimately made into their selfish empires. Popular institutions that might enable true democratic influence, and especially trade unions, are repressed in the USA.

In order to pull off this stunt, it is essential to control the way people think and what they believe. The mechanisms for this were devised during the First World War, initially in Britain with the Ministry of Information, then in the US with the Committee on Public Information. These innovations were later built upon by the early gurus of public relations, not least Edward Bernays and Walter Lippmann. A trip to Wikipedia to read more about Bernays really does repay the effort and reinforce what Chomsky has to say.

It is quite important to understand the extent to which the methods of totalitarian government were developed in the western democracies as much as, and before, the more notorious cases of fascist and communist regimes. Chomsky does not pursue this point very far, though he does note that the Nazis modelled their ideas on Britain and the USA. This issue is developed in another book I reviewed this year, War and Revolution: Rethinking the Twentieth Century by Domenico Losurdo. It is a hard idea to accept at first, so I certainly have needed to see it raised in quite a few different places for it to sink home.

The detailed accounts of events in this book, although certainly they belong to their time (2005), bear endless repetition. But the real value of Chomsky's work is to alert readers to the way in which political opinion is manipulated and political power abused. In a telling passage, he observes how easily the American (and the World's) public understood that "Chemical Ali," Iraq's Defence Minister, was prepared to persist in telling outright lies in the face of blatant counter evidence, yet the same behaviour by American and British Governments was allowed to pass with minimal serious challenge within those two great bastions of free speech. Asked how we might protect against being lied to, Chomsky suggests that we try using our common sense more. He makes repeated reference to the amazing claims that some tiny and unimportant little country (Florida under the Spanish, Haiti, Guatamala, Nicaragua, Cuba) has the power to endanger the most astonishing military and economic power on the planet. He points out the absurdity of believing that a country like Iraq would ever be allowed (not only by the USA, but by Israel, by Saudi Arabia) to enjoy democratic government. Such claims are just too incredible to be believed, yet they are the claims used to justify all sorts of American actions.

He is right to argue that it is terribly easy, in the comfortable conditions of our western democracies, for any citizen taking a little trouble to establish a better grasp on reality and there is no excuse for being so routinely seduced by propaganda. He is right to observe that the common people in other countries, supposedly less developed and less democratic, have absolutely no difficulty seeing that they are being lied to. But I think this also highlights the power of propaganda, the ability of the elite to manage popular opinion, and the extent to which people in a democracy will vote for politicians and policies that are utterly harmful to their own interests. It also highlights for me the poverty of leadership in opposition to those politicians and policies and the importance of Chomsky as a voice crying in the wilderness.

A great and smooth book. As always, the professor takes you, the master of languages, to the other side of the history of the United States and the myths of human rights defense.

It is a must-read. This book not only provides a detailed account of the historical events in the United States but also challenges the commonly held beliefs and myths about human rights. The professor's writing style is engaging and easy to understand, making it accessible to readers of all levels.

Whether you are a history buff or simply interested in learning more about the United States, this book is sure to provide you with valuable insights and perspectives. So, pick up a copy today and embark on a journey through the rich and complex history of the United States.

This is palatable Chomsky.

Chomsky is delving into American foreign policy and the profound impact of 9/11. With ease, he references political philosophers as he meticulously details the history of US imperialism. He dissects US foreign policy in the Middle East, uncovering the complex web of decisions and actions.

Although, of course, the majority of this material dates back over a decade and is only peripherally related to the current events, his discussions on propaganda and its divisive effect on the population are more crucial than ever. In a world where information is abundant and often manipulated, understanding the power of propaganda is essential. Chomsky's insights offer a valuable perspective on how it can shape public opinion and drive a wedge within a society.

His work serves as a reminder that we must be vigilant and critical consumers of information, constantly questioning the motives and biases behind the messages we receive. By doing so, we can hope to make more informed decisions and work towards a more just and peaceful world.

Noam Chomsky begins by answering questions in line with the book's title. However, as he has a great deal to say, the responses expand and end up covering a more diverse range of topics. Some interesting reflections from the book include:

- Allusions to the Nuremberg Tribunal compared to the war crimes of BUSH and company.

- The birth of mass propaganda in England during World War I, with the aim of drawing the US into the conflict and the idea of controlling the population through the "philosophy of futility" and the "manufacturing of consent".

- The so-called "problem" of Social Security.

- The responsibility of the more educated portion of the population.

- The advantage of a citizen army over a mercenary army.

- Why mass propaganda and manipulation have been so successful in "exponents of democracy" like the US.

- The role of the United Kingdom as the "junior partner" of the US.

- The reason why the US is not more "incisive" with North Korea (it's not the atomic arsenal) as it is with Iraq.

- That the US did not "lose" the Vietnam War.

- A comparison of US democracy with that of Brazil (!!!)

There are many other points that could be cited. It's about 5 or 6 hours of reading the author expounding on his knowledge and making relevant comments on politics and history.

I must say that I don't think Noam Chomsky is infallible. There are several of his positions that I don't agree with. For example, I find it unacceptable that the author, with all his experience and knowledge, defended the no-fly zone over Libya at the beginning of the 2011 conflict.

There are other points of disagreement between Chomsky and respected authors, such as 9/11. Still, I understand that the majority of the ideas (even in the book I can mention some exceptions) that Chomsky defends are correct, coherent, and logical (especially regarding media manipulation) and well above the average of the available information. And I strongly recommend that everyone read at least two or three of his books to have a more comprehensive understanding of the time we live in.

I give 4 stars because although it's an interesting read, it's more of a "collection of relevant information" than a coherent work, and, even though it's a good book, it's not his most up-to-date or most inspired work.

Like watching a Chomsky lecture, but you're reading it instead.

I'm always amazed at how he cites his sources as he talks. It's truly remarkable. He doesn't just make claims out of thin air; he backs them up with solid research and references.

However, some might find it a bit boring. The constant citing and detailed explanations can seem overwhelming at times. But if you're willing to put in the effort and really listen or read closely, you'll realize that he makes some very good points.

His insights into language, politics, and society are thought-provoking and can challenge our existing beliefs. It's like he's opening up a whole new world of ideas for us to explore.

So, even though it might not be the most exciting thing to read or watch, it's definitely worth it in the end.

Professor Noam Chomsky's interview with American media commentator David Barsamian is a sample of Chomsky's voice against Western imperialism and the role of warmongers.

The content of this book is mostly about international politics, which is no secret to those who regularly follow the news.

Chomsky has long been a vocal critic of American foreign policy and has written extensively on the subject.

His views are often controversial, but they are also well-researched and thought-provoking.

In this interview, he discusses a wide range of topics, including the war in Iraq, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the role of the media in shaping public opinion.

Overall, this book is a valuable addition to the literature on international politics and a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex issues that shape our world today.

This article offers a great comparative analysis of US foreign involvement and intervention over several decades. It is truly interesting to read, especially considering it was published approximately 20 years ago.

The author adopts a candid interview style, which makes the content easy to digest and clearly reveals the cause and effect of certain policy decisions.

By examining different periods, we can observe the evolution of US foreign policy and how it has influenced global events.

The analysis provides valuable insights into the motives and consequences of US actions, allowing readers to form a more informed understanding.

Overall, this article is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in US foreign policy and its impact on the world.