Books by Noam Chomsky

Book SynopsisA New York Times BestsellerWith a New AfterwordThe world's leading intellectual offers a probing examination of the nature of U.S. policies post-9/11, and the perils of valuing power above democracy and human rights.In an incisive, thorough analysis of the current international situation, Noam Chomsky examines the way that the United States, despite the rise of Europe and Asia, still largely sets the terms of global discourse. Drawing on a wide range of examples, from the sordid history of U.S. involvement with Cuba to the sanctions on Iran, he details how America's rhetoric of freedom and human rights so often diverges from its actions. He delves deep into the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel-Palestine, providing unexpected and nuanced insights into the workings of imperial power on our increasingly chaotic planet. And, in a new afterword, he addresses the election of Donald Trump and what it shows about American society.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvery century has witnessed the birth of a few world-transcending intellectuals as well as talented emerging scholars. Noam Chomsky and Pierre W. Orelus are no exception. Using dialogues exchanged over the course of nine years, combined with heartfelt critical essays, Chomsky and Orelus analytically examine social justice issues, such as unbalanced relationships between dominant and subjugated languages, democratic schooling, neoliberalism, colonization, and the harmful effect of Western globalization on developing countries, particularly on the poor living in those countries. On Language, Democracy, and Social Justice offers a unique perspective on these issues. Educators and scholar-activists interested in challenging the long-standing status quo to inspire transformative social, educational, and political change must read this book.Trade Review«On Language, Democracy, and Social Justice provides a forum for Noam Chomsky to articulate crucial insights, while offering an uplifting narrative describing a concerned individual’s personal correspondence, and then interaction, with Chomsky himself. As such, it’s a useful book that addresses contemporary issues, most notably regarding Haiti, but it’s also a behind-the-scenes description, one of a multitude, of how Chomsky relates to people concerned with making a difference in the world, and what they (and in turn we) can learn from such intellectual, and personal, encounters.» (Robert Barsky, Professor, Vanderbilt University) «On Language, Democracy, and Social Justice is a thoughtful and transformative book that raises crucial questions about the death of democracy and the rise of a unique form of authoritarianism in the United States. Reclaiming the connection between education and social change, it offers its readers an accessible, provocative, and insightful analysis of a number of issues that extend to social justice and the promise of a democracy to come to the savage ideologies, practices, and policies of neoliberalism. Moving lucidly between a language of critique and a discourse of possibility, the book offers a stinging critique of American-style casino capitalism and its attack on those vital public values, ideologies, and institutions that give meaning to any viable democratic society while also providing a number of suggestions about the promise of collective struggle, organized resistance, and the possibilities for a more just future.» (Henry Giroux, Global Television Network Chair in English and Cultural Studies, McMaster University) «Critical educators such as Pierre W. Orelus have consistently challenged the colonial matrix of power in an attempt to redress the crisis within the geoculture of the modern/ colonial world, and in doing so have challenged epistemologies of power and the social relations of production in which these epistemologies are forged. Professor Orelus is from Haiti, and his interest in learning more about the colonization of his homeland is what first led him to become interested in Noam Chomsky’s work.» (from the foreword by Peter McLaren) « … what is facilitative rather than debilitating about this new book is that it doesn’t only offer a language of critique, it simultaneously creates and encourages a collective praxis to make change in the world.» (from the afterword by Pepi Leistyna)«On Language, Democracy, and Social Justice provides a forum for Noam Chomsky to articulate crucial insights, while offering an uplifting narrative describing a concerned individual’s personal correspondence, and then interaction, with Chomsky himself. As such, it’s a useful book that addresses contemporary issues, most notably regarding Haiti, but it’s also a behind-the-scenes description, one of a multitude, of how Chomsky relates to people concerned with making a difference in the world, and what they (and in turn we) can learn from such intellectual, and personal, encounters.» (Robert Barsky, Professor, Vanderbilt University) «On Language, Democracy, and Social Justice is a thoughtful and transformative book that raises crucial questions about the death of democracy and the rise of a unique form of authoritarianism in the United States. Reclaiming the connection between education and social change, it offers its readers an accessible, provocative, and insightful analysis of a number of issues that extend to social justice and the promise of a democracy to come to the savage ideologies, practices, and policies of neoliberalism. Moving lucidly between a language of critique and a discourse of possibility, the book offers a stinging critique of American-style casino capitalism and its attack on those vital public values, ideologies, and institutions that give meaning to any viable democratic society while also providing a number of suggestions about the promise of collective struggle, organized resistance, and the possibilities for a more just future.» (Henry Giroux, Global Television Network Chair in English and Cultural Studies, McMaster University) «Critical educators such as Pierre W. Orelus have consistently challenged the colonial matrix of power in an attempt to redress the crisis within the geoculture of the modern/ colonial world, and in doing so have challenged epistemologies of power and the social relations of production in which these epistemologies are forged. Professor Orelus is from Haiti, and his interest in learning more about the colonization of his homeland is what first led him to become interested in Noam Chomsky’s work.» (from the foreword by Peter McLaren) « … what is facilitative rather than debilitating about this new book is that it doesn’t only offer a language of critique, it simultaneously creates and encourages a collective praxis to make change in the world.» (from the afterword by Pepi Leistyna)Table of ContentsContents: Professional and Personal Encounters With Noam Chomsky: A Critical Self-Reflection – Noam Chomsky and the Linguistic, Political, and Activist World: A Critical Analysis – Democracy, Schooling, and U.S. Foreign Policy - Noam Chomsky and Pierre Orelus in Dialogue – Democracy and Language Rights of Minority Groups – Neoliberalism: The Rich Over the Poor - Noam Chomsky and Pierre Orelus in Dialogue – Market Democracy in a Neoliberal Order: Doctrines and Reality – Third World Countries Under Western Siege - Noam Chomsky and Pierre Orelus in Dialogue – Re-Envisioning Social Justice - Noam Chomsky and Pierre Orelus in Dialogue – What Should Be the Role of Intellectuals in the Twenty-First Century?

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvery century has witnessed the birth of a few world-transcending intellectuals as well as talented emerging scholars. Noam Chomsky and Pierre W. Orelus are no exception. Using dialogues exchanged over the course of nine years, combined with heartfelt critical essays, Chomsky and Orelus analytically examine social justice issues, such as unbalanced relationships between dominant and subjugated languages, democratic schooling, neoliberalism, colonization, and the harmful effect of Western globalization on developing countries, particularly on the poor living in those countries. On Language, Democracy, and Social Justice offers a unique perspective on these issues. Educators and scholar-activists interested in challenging the long-standing status quo to inspire transformative social, educational, and political change must read this book.Trade Review«On Language, Democracy, and Social Justice provides a forum for Noam Chomsky to articulate crucial insights, while offering an uplifting narrative describing a concerned individual’s personal correspondence, and then interaction, with Chomsky himself. As such, it’s a useful book that addresses contemporary issues, most notably regarding Haiti, but it’s also a behind-the-scenes description, one of a multitude, of how Chomsky relates to people concerned with making a difference in the world, and what they (and in turn we) can learn from such intellectual, and personal, encounters.» (Robert Barsky, Professor, Vanderbilt University) «On Language, Democracy, and Social Justice is a thoughtful and transformative book that raises crucial questions about the death of democracy and the rise of a unique form of authoritarianism in the United States. Reclaiming the connection between education and social change, it offers its readers an accessible, provocative, and insightful analysis of a number of issues that extend to social justice and the promise of a democracy to come to the savage ideologies, practices, and policies of neoliberalism. Moving lucidly between a language of critique and a discourse of possibility, the book offers a stinging critique of American-style casino capitalism and its attack on those vital public values, ideologies, and institutions that give meaning to any viable democratic society while also providing a number of suggestions about the promise of collective struggle, organized resistance, and the possibilities for a more just future.» (Henry Giroux, Global Television Network Chair in English and Cultural Studies, McMaster University) «Critical educators such as Pierre W. Orelus have consistently challenged the colonial matrix of power in an attempt to redress the crisis within the geoculture of the modern/ colonial world, and in doing so have challenged epistemologies of power and the social relations of production in which these epistemologies are forged. Professor Orelus is from Haiti, and his interest in learning more about the colonization of his homeland is what first led him to become interested in Noam Chomsky’s work.» (from the foreword by Peter McLaren) « … what is facilitative rather than debilitating about this new book is that it doesn’t only offer a language of critique, it simultaneously creates and encourages a collective praxis to make change in the world.» (from the afterword by Pepi Leistyna)«On Language, Democracy, and Social Justice provides a forum for Noam Chomsky to articulate crucial insights, while offering an uplifting narrative describing a concerned individual’s personal correspondence, and then interaction, with Chomsky himself. As such, it’s a useful book that addresses contemporary issues, most notably regarding Haiti, but it’s also a behind-the-scenes description, one of a multitude, of how Chomsky relates to people concerned with making a difference in the world, and what they (and in turn we) can learn from such intellectual, and personal, encounters.» (Robert Barsky, Professor, Vanderbilt University) «On Language, Democracy, and Social Justice is a thoughtful and transformative book that raises crucial questions about the death of democracy and the rise of a unique form of authoritarianism in the United States. Reclaiming the connection between education and social change, it offers its readers an accessible, provocative, and insightful analysis of a number of issues that extend to social justice and the promise of a democracy to come to the savage ideologies, practices, and policies of neoliberalism. Moving lucidly between a language of critique and a discourse of possibility, the book offers a stinging critique of American-style casino capitalism and its attack on those vital public values, ideologies, and institutions that give meaning to any viable democratic society while also providing a number of suggestions about the promise of collective struggle, organized resistance, and the possibilities for a more just future.» (Henry Giroux, Global Television Network Chair in English and Cultural Studies, McMaster University) «Critical educators such as Pierre W. Orelus have consistently challenged the colonial matrix of power in an attempt to redress the crisis within the geoculture of the modern/ colonial world, and in doing so have challenged epistemologies of power and the social relations of production in which these epistemologies are forged. Professor Orelus is from Haiti, and his interest in learning more about the colonization of his homeland is what first led him to become interested in Noam Chomsky’s work.» (from the foreword by Peter McLaren) « … what is facilitative rather than debilitating about this new book is that it doesn’t only offer a language of critique, it simultaneously creates and encourages a collective praxis to make change in the world.» (from the afterword by Pepi Leistyna)Table of ContentsContents: Professional and Personal Encounters With Noam Chomsky: A Critical Self-Reflection – Noam Chomsky and the Linguistic, Political, and Activist World: A Critical Analysis – Democracy, Schooling, and U.S. Foreign Policy - Noam Chomsky and Pierre Orelus in Dialogue – Democracy and Language Rights of Minority Groups – Neoliberalism: The Rich Over the Poor - Noam Chomsky and Pierre Orelus in Dialogue – Market Democracy in a Neoliberal Order: Doctrines and Reality – Third World Countries Under Western Siege - Noam Chomsky and Pierre Orelus in Dialogue – Re-Envisioning Social Justice - Noam Chomsky and Pierre Orelus in Dialogue – What Should Be the Role of Intellectuals in the Twenty-First Century?

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis American Power and the New Mandarins is Noam Chomsky''s first political book, widely considered to be among the most cogent and powerful statements against the American war in Vietnam. Long out of print, this collection of early, seminal essays helped to establish Chomsky as a leading critic of United States foreign policy. These pages mount a scathing critique of the contradictions of the war, and an indictment of the mainstream, liberal intellectualsthe new mandarinswho furnished what Chomsky argued was the necessary ideological cover for the horrors visited on the Vietnamese people. As America''s foreign entanglements deepen by the month, Chomsky''s lucid analysis is a sobering reminder of the perils of imperial diplomacy. With a new foreword by Howard Zinn, author of A People''s History of the United States, American Power and the New Mandarins is a renewed call for independent analysis of America''s role in the world.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIsrael's Operation Cast Lead thrust the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip into the center of the debate about the Israel/Palestine conflict. In this updated and expanded edition, Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappé survey the fallout from Israel's conduct in Gaza, including their latest incursions, and place it in historical context. Noam Chomsky is widely regarded to be one of the foremost critics of US foreign policy in the world. He has published numerous groundbreaking books, articles, and essays on global politics, history, and linguistics. Since 2003 he has written a monthly column for the New York Times syndicate. His recent books include Masters of Mankind and Hopes and Prospects. Haymarket Books recently released updated editions of twelve of his classic books. Ilan Pappé is the bestselling author of The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine: A History of Modern Palestine and The Israel/Palestine Question. Frank Barat is a human rights activist and author. He was the coordinator of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine and is now the president of the Palestine Legal Action Network. His books include Freedom is a Constant Struggle, Gaza in Crisis, Corporate Complicity in Israel's Occupation, and On Palestine.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwo of our most celebrated intellectuals grapple with the uncertain aftermath of the American collapse in Afghanistan “Through the structure of a deeply engaging conversation between two of our most important contemporary public intellectuals, we are urged to defy the inattention of the media to the disastrous damage inflicted in Afghanistan on life, land, and resources in the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal and the connections to the equally avoidable and unnecessary wars on Iraq and Libya.”—from the foreword by Angela Y. Davis Not since the last American troops left Vietnam have we faced such a sudden vacuum in our foreign policy—not only of authority, but also of explanations of what happened, and what the future holds. Few analysts are better poised to address this moment than Noam Chomsky and Vijay Prashad, intellectuals and critics whose work spans generations and continents. Called “the most widely read voice on foreign policy on the planet” by the New York Times Book Review, Noam Chomsky is the guiding light of dissidents around the world. In The Withdrawal, Chomsky joins with noted scholar Vijay Prashad—who “helps to uncover the shining worlds hidden under official history and dominant media” (Eduardo Galeano)—to get at the roots of this unprecedented time of peril and change. Chomsky and Prashad interrogate key inflection points in America’s downward spiral: from the disastrous Iraq War to the failed Libyan intervention to the descent into chaos in Afghanistan. As the final moments of American power in Afghanistan fade from view, this crucial book argues that we must not take our eyes off the wreckage—and that we need, above all, an unsentimental view of the new world we must build together.Trade ReviewPraise for The Withdrawal:“A fierce and well-informed condemnation of U.S. imperialism.”—Publishers Weekly“A collection of insightful geopolitical analysis.”—Kirkus Reviews “This approachable book is recommended for readers interested in thought-provoking works on international relations and current affairs.”—Library Journal“This book combines Vijay Prashad’s deep knowledge of the Global South with Chomsky’s ever insightful analysis of events that are not part of the common knowledge, thus helping us to decipher what are presented by the U.S. propaganda machine as ‘facts’—that have been so often used to package the imperialist, brutal wars in many countries including Iraq and Afghanistan.”—Haifa Zangana, author of Dreaming of Baghdad and Women on a Journey “Truth is like the sun, it cannot be hidden with two fingers. The Withdrawal is an account of those facts and narratives often manipulated and hidden . . . a must-read.”—Heela Najibullah, author and daughter of former Afghan president Mohammad Najibullah

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn The Precipice, Noam Chomsky sheds light into the phenomenon of Trumpism, exposes the catastrophic nature and impact of Trump’s policies on people, the environment, and the planet as a whole, and captures the dynamics of the brutal class warfare launched by the masters of capital to maintain and even enhance the features of a dog-eat–dog society to the unprecedented mobilization of millions of people against neoliberal capitalism, racism, and police violence/Trade Review"The Precipice is a vehement discussion of how American politics have changed, particularly over the past forty years." —Foreword Reviews Praise for Optimism Over Despair: "The elder statesman of a resurgent left offers clear-eyed assessments of the US, past and present, and its role in the world. From meditations on human nature to strategic advice for the Trump era, Chomsky remains the thinker who shaped a generation, a beacon of hope in the darkest of times." —Sarah Jaffe, Necessary Trouble: Americans in Revolt "This book of interviews with Noam Chomsky is a must read in these troubling times. Divided into three parts, it begins with Chomsky’s razor sharp analysis of neoliberalism, imperialism, the EU, the role of religion in politics, and class polarization. In the second, it focuses on the Trump presidency and lays out the long history of US foreign policy, as well as other topics such as health care, global warming and education policy. Finally, it looks at various alternatives—anarchism, communism and socialism. This is an excellent collection of interviews that highlights Chomsky’s encyclopedic knowledge of the key issues of our day and his unwavering criticism of the regime of the global 1%." —Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire. “In this brilliant series of recent and wide-ranging interviews, Noam Chomsky combines an astounding breadth of knowledge, great depth of insight, clarity in explaining his ideas, and a relentless commitment to social and economic justice. The full package is simply exhilarating, especially in our current dismal era of Donald Trump. Optimism over Despair is a book to devour.”—Robert Pollin, Distinguished Professor of Economics and Co-Director, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts-Amherst “…Chomsky argues that the choice between optimism and despair is really no choice at all. I have a great admiration for Chomsky’s combination of consistent critical moral perspective and sharp eye for the details of world politics…”—Heikki Patomäki, professor of world politics at the University of Helsinki, and a civic and political activist "In this series of highly informative conversations deftly organized by CJ Polychroniou, Noam Chomsky teaches us - yet again - so much on a huge range of issues - from economic globalisation through international politics to the linguistic foundations of humanity. If you haven't read Chomsky before, this book will open your eyes. Even if you have, reading this book will make you realize that you still have more eyes to be opened. This book is a beacon - or, rather a GPS - in this turbulent and darkening world."—Ha-Joon Chang, University of Cambridge, author of Bad Samaritans, 23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism and Economics: The User's Guide "For all those of us who have always dreamed of spending a day with Noam Chomsky and getting his answers to all our questions and concerns about the (sorry) state of the world, here's the next best thing: a collection of interviews with our greatest living intellectual on capitalism, empire, and social change, fielded by C. J. Polychroniou of Truthout. Especially valuable in helping us navigate the dreadful challenges of the Trumpian era."—Michael Klare, Professor of Peace & World Security Studies, Hampshire College and Defense Correspondent, The Nation “This fascinating series of interviews convincingly covers an astonishing range of fundamental and urgent issues of societal concern, demonstrating anew that Noam Chomsky is the world’s most humane, philosophically sophisticated, and knowledgeable public intellectual. I cannot imagine a better primer for anyone seeking a better, safer, fairer future.” —Richard Falk, Professor of International Law Emeritus, Princeton University

Read more less

Book SynopsisA wide-ranging and incisive collection of interviews with Noam Chomsky, addressing the urgent questions of this tumultuous moment. In these informative interviews, conducted for Truthout by C.J. Polychroniou, Noam Chomsky addresses the rapid deterioration of democracy in the United States and rising tensions globally. He examines the crumbling social fabric and fractures of the Biden era, including the halting steps toward a Green New Deal; the illegitimate authority of the Supreme Court, in particular its decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade; and the ongoing fallout from COVID-19. Chomsky also untangles the roots of the War in Ukraine, the diplomatic tensions among the United States, China, and Russia, and considers the need for climate action on an international scale. Throughout, Chomsky “remains…a beacon of hope in the darkest of times" (Sarah Jaffe).Trade ReviewPraise for Optimism Over Despair: "The elder statesman of a resurgent left offers clear-eyed assessments of the US, past and present, and its role in the world. From meditations on human nature to strategic advice for the Trump era, Chomsky remains the thinker who shaped a generation, a beacon of hope in the darkest of times." —Sarah Jaffe, Necessary Trouble: Americans in Revolt "This book of interviews with Noam Chomsky is a must read in these troubling times. Divided into three parts, it begins with Chomsky’s razor sharp analysis of neoliberalism, imperialism, the EU, the role of religion in politics, and class polarization. In the second, it focuses on the Trump presidency and lays out the long history of US foreign policy, as well as other topics such as health care, global warming and education policy. Finally, it looks at various alternatives—anarchism, communism and socialism. This is an excellent collection of interviews that highlights Chomsky’s encyclopedic knowledge of the key issues of our day and his unwavering criticism of the regime of the global 1%." —Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire “In this brilliant series of recent and wide-ranging interviews, Noam Chomsky combines an astounding breadth of knowledge, great depth of insight, clarity in explaining his ideas, and a relentless commitment to social and economic justice. The full package is simply exhilarating, especially in our current dismal era of Donald Trump. Optimism over Despair is a book to devour.” —Robert Pollin, Distinguished Professor of Economics and Co-Director, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts-Amherst “…Chomsky argues that the choice between optimism and despair is really no choice at all. I have a great admiration for Chomsky’s combination of consistent critical moral perspective and sharp eye for the details of world politics…” —Heikki Patomäki, professor of world politics at the University of Helsinki, and a civic and political activist

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less