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Understanding Power
- The Indispensable Chomsky
- Narrated by: Robin Bloodworth
- Length: 22 hrs and 12 mins
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Understanding Power
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Summary
A major new collection from "arguably the most important intellectual alive" (The New York Times). Noam Chomsky is universally accepted as one of the preeminent public intellectuals of the modern era. Over the past thirty years, broadly diverse audiences have gathered to attend his sold-out lectures. Now, in Understanding Power, Peter Mitchell and John Schoeffel have assembled the best of Chomsky's recent talks on the past, present, and future of the politics of power.
In a series of enlightening and wide-ranging discussions, all published here for the first time, Chomsky radically reinterprets the events of the past three decades, covering topics from foreign policy during Vietnam to the decline of welfare under the Clinton administration. And as he elucidates the connection between America's imperialistic foreign policy and the decline of domestic social services, Chomsky also discerns the necessary steps to take toward social change. With an eye to political activism and the media's role in popular struggle, as well as U.S. foreign and domestic policy, Understanding Power offers a sweeping critique of the world around us and is definitive Chomsky. Characterized by Chomsky's accessible and informative style, this is the ideal book for those new to his work as well as for those who have been listening for years.
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- WW
- 21-10-20
A MUST-READ / LISTEN
I'd heard of Chomsky but this is my first experience of his writing. In short, he's an absolute genius, He explains how the world works behind the scenes without the conspiracy theories. So many secrets revealed in this book, it's incredible!
A must-read for every citizen of the world.
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- Matthew
- 29-04-24
Great Book
I think this is essential reading, and despite some of the talks used being from the 90's, I found them to be relevant still to today's cultural climate.
All in all, I absolutely burnt through this book. Given the format, it was really easy to listen to, Even with the sometimes grim subject matters, which is a testament to the authors, and how good of a job they did with the material.
I've often found the narrator's for some of Chomsky's other works to be unbearable, but this one was great.
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- Andres
- 26-02-17
Uncomfortably true
A long read for sure. Only for seekers of what they cannot easily find. Well researched by an expert.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- phil chadwick
- 02-06-22
Interesting thoughts, definitely worth a read
Glad I read this, despite disagreeing with at least some of the content.
On the book itself - it is well organised. Chomsky’s thoughts are presented in an order that allows them to flow. Reading of the story was good, nothing exceptional.
On the content - agree with the criticism of American foreign policy, some of the economic policy thoughts are misguided I believe. The media model was vague at best, and unscientific in its methods. Still useful nuggets in parts though, even if I disagreed with the whole.
I really hated the way Noam demonstrates the classic American self-importance, which can make the rest of the thoughts hard to take seriously. Whenever you refer to another country as “basically an American vassal state”, you are being very dismissive of their culture and values - and it demonstrates that you are not truly capable of understanding the world. China doesn’t just “have to do what the US says”, not now and probably not back then either.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 28-08-19
The most depressing book I've ever read
Brilliant and insightful, though very depressing in its message. People should read it but only if they can cope with the message and its implications
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-12-20
Eye Opening Book with Perfect Narration
absolutely amazing. I don't know how to put into words, but trust me you won't regret listening to it. Listening to it for the second time now.
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- Vincent Hogan
- 26-06-16
Understanding Power
Absolutely incredible book, loved every second and will be listening to certain parts again to fully grasp.
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- odd kjellberg
- 25-03-24
A very convincing analysis and important message
I liked that the chapters are titled, it makes relistening to special parts so much easier.
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- decat
- 15-11-16
a great book well narrated
informative, thought provoking, when facts are well told, they cam be very funny at times, highly recommend.
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1 person found this helpful
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- gwenllian
- 16-05-21
Prescient
A combination of a history lesson or a reminder of events from an alternative source to the main stream media. It's additionally relevant to and prescient of recent events.
The narration is excellently performed.
Thank you 🙏💚
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