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Title: Secrets, Lies, and Democracy by Noam Chomsky, David Barsamian ISBN: 1-878825-04-6 Publisher: Odonian Press Pub. Date: October, 1994 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $9.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.14 (7 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Good Illustration of a Famous Guy's Perspectives
Comment: I disagree with Chomsky on many fronts to the point of irritation, finding that his research appears to consist primarily of what he reads (e.g., without talking to people more in the know), his opinions are slanted towards the most negative/conspiracy theory perspective (e.g., his interpretation on p. 56 that Clinton's encouragement of people to go to church is "...straightforward. If people devote themselves to activities that are out of the public arena, then we folks in power will be able to run things the way we want"), and he generally complains without recognizing the full picture (for instance, his prediction on p. 20 that Alabama's offering tax breaks to Daimler Benz would have negative consequences for most of its citizens, despite more recent aftermath reports that Alabama significantly benefitted) or offering a better alternative. But this book is a good readable summary of some of his views, and he does have a few good points (such as, how people are distracted from participating in democracy--though Chomsky misses the extent to which less intellectual people are not interested in participating--and the extent to which people need to organize to get political power (though the list of organizations at the conclusion of the book is wide-ranging, and emphasis is placed upon the groups' stated missions without recognition of their tactics, some of which are highly questionable).
Rating: 4
Summary: Hands down, but who's surprised?
Comment: Noam Chomsky, no doubt, ranks or will rank in the class of Foucault, Marx, and Voltaire. Some have argued that it is impossible to understand the late twentieth-century and early twenty-first-century without understanding Chomsky. I believe it.
"Secrets, Lies and Democracy," is a book based on famous interviews in context of the title. While not as valuable as his own writings, particularly "The Responsibility of Intellectuals," and "Manufacture Consent," one should reap a sharper political perspective from it. All of the interviewers have ranged from moderate to extreme radical, and it is great to see that Chomsky keeps all of his words in a cool and honest fashion.
One thing that ticked me off about Chomsky is his high use of assertions, especially when they are value-based. I guarantee that when Chomsky uses the word 'conservative,' the following sentences are harshly negative. It follows that 'radical,' brings up heavenly idealism. For example, I detected a certain amount of anarchist propaganda in these words:
"It's not very hard to sit down in an academic seminar or a small group or whatever and to lay out plans of even extreme detail, close detail, as to how a more free and democratic and just society - based on essentially anarchist principles - how it might function. I think we can do that, and it's probably worth doing."
And thus, I'm conflicted. I feel the fire of his words trying to fan down my common sense and intuition, but my intellect and heart tell me to listen to him. But in general, I think I support his beliefs only to a certain extent. Any kind of political theorist/philosopher has wishy-washy claims. Nevertheless, I'm still impressed by him, and will continue to listen to what he has to say.
Rating: 4
Summary: Informative
Comment: This book gives a LOT of information at a very understandable writing level. A lot is talked about the US's involvement with other nations and, how it also helped the nazi's and other things like that. It's very interesting. Somethings were talked about more than others though, and not completely explained, but for the most part, it's pretty well explained.
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Title: What Uncle Sam Really Wants by Noam Chomsky, Arthur Naiman, David Barsamian ISBN: 1878825011 Publisher: Odonian Press Pub. Date: October, 1992 List Price(USD): $8.50 |
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Title: Media Control: The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda by Noam Chomsky ISBN: 1583225366 Publisher: Seven Stories Press Pub. Date: December, 2002 List Price(USD): $8.95 |
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Title: The Cia's Greatest Hits by Mark Zepezauer, Arthur Naiman ISBN: 1878825305 Publisher: Odonian Press Pub. Date: September, 1994 List Price(USD): $8.00 |
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Title: 9-11 by Noam Chomsky ISBN: 1583224890 Publisher: Seven Stories Press Pub. Date: October, 2001 List Price(USD): $8.95 |
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Title: Understanding Power: The Indispensable Chomsky by Noam Chomsky, John Schoeffel, Peter R. Mitchell, Peter Mitchell ISBN: 1565847032 Publisher: New Press Pub. Date: February, 2002 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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