Customer Reviews

The Chomsky Trilogy: The Prosperous Few / Secrets, Lies / What Uncle Sam Really Wants (Real Story)

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Noam Chomsky is arguably one of the most important thinkers of the last 100 years (he was voted 9th all time in a recent poll of college professors and academicians, just behind Aristotle). So why have most Americans never heard of him? Read this set of books and the answer will be quite clear. In Europe practically every educated person knows this American philosopher by name, but here in America the rich and powerful would rather that you did not.

In this collection of writings Chomsky exposes the dark side of American history. Backed with indisputable facts and extensive research these books systematically detail the crimes of the corporate/military industrial complex. Chomsky delves into the hidden agendas and backroom dealmaking behind everything from NAFTA, Desert Strom, The War on Drugs, Corporate Media Manipulation and much, much more.

These books will fill you with sadness, outrage and even hope. But, after reading them your outlook on America will never be the same. This book is not an attack against America and Americans, it is instead a warning against the hidden powers that are attempting to destroy the most basic ideas of freedom itself. In writing these books, he has both provided some much needed historical balance, and provided some suggestions and ideas concerning how we, the average citizens, can achieve real social change. Chomsky also provides a list of resources and info about getting involved with an exhaustive list of organizations that are "working to make the world a better place". In the end, all these books can do is inform and educate, it is up to each individual to do what they can for real social change; a book is only the beginning.

This is a great series for people looking into Chomsky.

I would like to respond to the person below. This whole holocaust thing is constantly brought up and is "misconstrued". I believe it was a french political scientist who was saying that the holocaust didn't happen. He was being silenced for espousing such appalling views. Legal action was being brought against him. Chomsky signed a petition asking to stop such measurements, he was one of five-hundred. He wasn't defending what this moron was saying, but his right to say it! Hell, Chomsky's Jewish. One wonders why people attack the person and not the concepts being discussed, maybe its because Noam speaks the truth.

"If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all." --Noam Chomsky

These books are wonderful compilations of Chomsky's lectures and interviews, where Chomsky is most easily understood (those fearing, like myself, that these books are difficult reading, will be pleasantly surprised by how easily digestible these books really are). The Chomsky Trilogy brought up some things I had never heard about before, particularly our anti-democratic interventions in South America for the sake of American corporations. Stories like that made me feel like a much more informed citizen (particularly in foreign affairs) after reading these books. For those who liked this set, I also recommend two other items: Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media (a video of Noam Chomsky ideas on media control) and 20 Years of Censored News by Carl Jensen (a compilation of news articles considered too controversial to print).

Not only is Mr. Chomsky an insightful scholar, he is clearly the easiest intellectual to follow as well. Like his speeches, Chomsky's trilogy flows beautifully and connects each topic to the next. Underlying each section is the prevailing notion that Americans (and most people in general) overlook the power structures that dictate policies and events, and the access to information about them. Whether he is entirely accurate in his claims or not, Chomsky comes across as genuine in his endeavours. It is refreshing to read such interesting analyses that attempt to motivate people to think for themselves.

I'm a long time fan of Noam Chomsky and other notable leftists. Although none of the information presented to me in these books was new it makes for a good reference guide from time to time. I reccomend it for those who just want to know what the left is about and seeking an introduction. Chomsky writes for Z-magazine and thier website is www.znet.org/ for more articles, he even has a book you can view or download.

These little books pack a big punch, but considering that the trilogy is about as expensive as a full length book I'd recommend getting "The Indispensable Chomsky" or "The Chomsky Reader" instead. It's interview format is good, but all of Barsamian's interviews tend to be superficial in the long run. If you're new to Chomsky this won't be a problem as this trilogy will pack enough radical power to keep you going for a long time, but in the end I'd recommend investing in something more substantial and grappling with Chomsky's logic.

more of a compendium of short interviews than indepth analysis but once again provides some thought provoking ideas for anyone interested in the world around them and if your're not, WHY NOT?

I read this trilogy a couple months ago. I had never read Chomsky for fear that he was too difficult. But these books are compilations of his lectures and interviews, where he is most accessible. These books brought up some things I had never heard about, particularly our anti-democratic interventions in South America for the sake of American corporations. For those who like this trilogy, I recommend the video, Manufacturing Consent. It too is easy to understand and presents a rough sketch of his ideas of media control.

I looked for a long time for political thought beyond the tired, vapid liberal-conservative dichotomy, where both liberals and conservatives know what's good for you and don't mind regulating and taxing you to make you conform. Chomsky is one of the most lucid political thinkers I have ever read, and his commentary on U.S. foreign policy, after the Lewinsky missle attacks and the recent Iraq bombing, starting mere hours before the impeachment vote and ending mere hours after it, rings far truer than the hollow and meaningless rhetoric of Bill Clinton or Rush Limbaugh.

The "assistance" given to democracy by the U.S. also struck me - i.e., telling Nicaraguan voters in 1989 that their choices were Violetta Chamorro or intensified economic sanctions.

One last comment - I had just discovered Chomsky's political work a few months ago, so I wanted to learn more, and get other people's opinions

Who knew you could learn a lot from a highly decorated MIT professor? If you need some info behind your cynicim of politics, this book is for you. Another plus, it never made oprah's book of the month club.