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How the World Works (Real Story (Soft Skull Press)) [Paperback]

Noam Chomsky , Arthur Naiman , David Barsamian
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)

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Book Description

September 20, 2011 Real Story (Soft Skull Press)
According to The New York Times, Noam Chomsky is “arguably the most important intellectual alive.” But he isn’t easy to read . . . or at least he wasn’t until these books came along. Made up of intensively edited speeches and interviews, they offer something not found anywhere else: pure Chomsky, with every dazzling idea and penetrating insight intact, delivered in clear, accessible, reader-friendly prose.

Published as four short books in the famous Real Story series—What Uncle Sam Really Wants; The Prosperous Few and the Restless Many; Secrets, Lies and Democracy; and The Common Good—they’ve collectively sold almost 600,000 copies.

And they continue to sell year after year after year because Chomsky’s ideas become, if anything, more relevant as time goes by. For example, twenty years ago he pointed out that “in 1970, about 90% of international capital was used for trade and long-term investment—more or less productive things—and 10% for speculation. By 1990, those figures had reversed.” As we know, speculation continued to increase exponentially. We’re paying the price now for not heeding him them.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Noam Chomsky is the author of numerous bestselling political books, including Hegemony or Survival, Failed States and Hopes and Prospects, all of which are published by Hamish Hamilton/Penguin. David Barsamian is the award-winning founder and director of Alternative Radio. He has authored several books of interviews with leading political thinkers. Arthur Naiman has authored, co-authored, edited and/or published more than thirty books, including Every Goy's Guide to Common Jewish Expressions and The Macintosh Bible. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Soft Skull Press (September 20, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9781593764272
  • ISBN-13: 978-1593764272
  • ASIN: 1593764278
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Noam Chomsky is Institute Professor in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston. A member of the American Academy of Science, he has published widely in both linguistics and current affairs. His books include At War with Asia, Towards a New Cold War, Fateful Triangle: The U. S., Israel and the Palestinians, Necessary Illusions, Hegemony or Survival, Deterring Democracy, Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy and Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 58 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Frighteningly up to date October 17, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Despite being a collection of four volumes published as much as 20 years ago, this invaluable collection is not the least out of date. Whether because nothing seems to change, or because we never seem to learn, or because the human condition so dictates, these books are as valid and valuable today as they were when first published. As usual, sterling editing makes them crisp, fast, effective and compact reads, and editors' notes expand acronyms possibly long forgotten. As always, highly recommended.
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50 of 57 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars best ever explanation of how the world REALLY works October 15, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As always, Noam is very readable, accurate, profound, detailed, wise, prophetic, concise and pithy. This particular book is primarily a lightly edited composite transcript of a number of live interviews in which Noam fielded a very wide variety of questions without hesitation. Part of his genius is that he manages to precisely describe the gist of very complex situations using quite ordinary language and sentence structure, usually simple declarative sentences with very few multi-syllable words. Having tried to do the same with only marginal success, I say this is much rarer and more demanding than it sounds.
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36 of 43 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars More Pearls of Wisdom from America's Greatest Modern Mind November 18, 2011
Format:Paperback
As expected, How the World Works is another master work from Noam Chomsky. It contains mostly excerpts from interviews and lectures, so it doesn't really follow any sort of narrative format and the flow is sometimes choppy, but this book contains several nuggets and a few gems of unbelievably insightful wisdom from the man who is, arguably, the greatest thinker of our lifetime. Definitely worth reading!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars the world is a bad place
the world is a bad place and all the people in charge of the bad places like to put a nice spin on it
Published 8 days ago by bao
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I have read
Its amazing how much we just don't know if we only rely on "mainstream" sources of information. Chomsky exposes the well-document but well-hidden truths.
Published 11 days ago by Sakina qutbuddin
4.0 out of 5 stars First time Chomsky reader
Although familiar with some of his ideas I had never read Chomsky. This compilation of talks is a good starter. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Santiago Roel
1.0 out of 5 stars Linguistics, Noam, Linguistics
Noam, you're just a linguistics teacher without credentials to pretentiously pontificate about how the world outside linguistics works. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kitchen Magician
5.0 out of 5 stars get to know your government
This book will open your eyes. Reading it is experiencing a revelation like no other. Should be required reading in every school in the country. Not to be ignored.
Published 1 month ago by daniel reich
2.0 out of 5 stars Informative for those who can read critically, but otherwise a highly...
I hold many of the same views as Chomsky (very liberal on social issues, agree that the US should give aid abroad rather than exporting war, and hold a strong disdain for corporate... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Justin M
2.0 out of 5 stars Informative for those who can read critically, but otherwise a highly...
I hold many of the same views as Chomsky (very liberal on social issues, agree that the US should give aid abroad rather than exporting war, and hold a strong disdain for corporate... Read more
Published 1 month ago by JustinM
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-read!
This collection presents the thoughts and views of the most valuable intellect in America in a way that almost any reader can grasp.
Published 1 month ago by CWade
5.0 out of 5 stars World class!
I have totally enjoyed reading this book. Even when I may not agree with everything I have to give this rating based on all the fantastic material presented for a truly... Read more
Published 2 months ago by G. S. Ortiz
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly Great Mind!
I actually have no words to express. Noam Chomsky is one of the tallest thinkers of our times. One is inspired to think different and even act different after reading him.
Published 3 months ago by Jeet
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