9-11 by Noam Chomsky Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of 9-11
Book Review: 9-11
Summary: 4 Stars
Like a lot of Chomsky, it is invaluable. His perspective is great, and one that is much appreciated. Chomsky is a great voice for dissent who I find to be rational, thoughtful, and, to my surprise, these interviews were less accusatory than one might expect. His lucid opinion is a good divergence from the same group think in the mainstream. IF you are at all interested in the subject of 9-11, this should be one of the books included in your list to read.
Book Review: 9-11? A Little of a Letdown...
Summary: 3 Stars
I've long been a fan of the political analysis of one Noam Chomsky, as well as his interview based books such as "What Uncle Sam Really Wants", and "Secrets, Lies and Democracy" so I was quite looking forward to sitting down, and having a read of this, his latest interview based book. I was a little shocked however that it seemed to be little more than a cash-in on Chomsky's status as an intellectual than anything else.Though the interviews were good -- many done by foreign journalists -- they really seemed to lack in the analysis department, and offered little critical commentary on the current "War On Terrorism". I would have much preferred to have waited until many more facts were known relating to the 9/11 situation, and it's aftermath in a much better thoughout book than to have read this...what's even worse is that the majority of the interviews were done prior to the October 7th airstrikes!
I would recommend this to those wishing to get a better idea of Chomsky's ideas, but I wouldn't recommend this to his fans who really would expect a lot more in the way of analysis.
Book Review: 9/11: The War On Errorism!
Summary: 5 Stars
Chomsky has long been known to compile books of various interviews relating to a specific subject, and '9-11' is another fine adition to that ever-growing list.What '9-11' gives us is Chomsky discussing the actions of 9/11, their meaning, and consequences to the whole of American social, economic, and political ideals. Throughout the interviews (most done with foreign journalists) we are given a complete piecing together of the puzzle called foreign policy, and America's well-known history of supporting terrorism, and committing acts just as vile -- if not more so -- than those committed on 9/11.
Read this book without the blind sense of patriotism I'm sure many have you have fallen into.
Book Review: A Call for Understanding
Summary: 5 Stars
This thin volume (which I came to as a first-time Chomsky reader)has its limitations: it is a compilation of interviews, many in e-mail format, and many with non-American journalists. Because the interview questions all focus on the same subjects, there is a surprising amount of repetition (some of which the editors claim to have elided) for such a short book. Nonetheless, Prof. Chomsky needs to be heard. He is one of the few to question the reasons for the attacks, whereas most commentators wallow in the Hollywood tear-jerker approach of the recent CBS documentary. While Prof. Chomsky often overstates his case, and seems to be relishing his provocateur role, he effectively attacks the inability of the U.S. to maintain what Mr. Clinton called (in a different context) a firm "moral compass" in its foreign policy. Some of us remember Mr. Carter's attempt to institute a human rights-based foreign policy, while at the same time (according to Prof. Chomsky) his national security adviser was goading Russia into an invasion of Afghanistan that caused tremendous suffering. The fate of Afghanistan is truly horrible and ironic. After inducing the Russian invasion, arming and training the "freedom fighters," who then turned to bin Laden ("blow-back"), our solution was ... to bomb Afghanistan. While artists and intellectuals in Kabul may celebrate the departure of the Taliban, how much suffering was unleased by the U.S. attack? In remote Abdulgan, to name just one area, there was unimaginable misery, as the American bombers flew overhead, oblivious to what was occurring (See Michael Finkel's excellent NY Times Magazine piece from January of this year on the subject of starvation and suffering during the American bombing.) Sadly, those who suffered in Afghanistan during our attacks, whether or not previously allied with the Taliban, will likely join the ranks of the worldwide dispossessed who find it easy to blame the U.S. for their plight. And from their ranks may come the next Mohammed Atta. If this should happen (God forbid), and if Prof. Chomsky's ideas are not considered, our response will be to wring our hands, break out the patriotic bunting, and continue to wonder why in heaven "they" hate us so much.Book Review: A Collection of Good Thoughts Shoved Down Your Throat
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is a series of softball questions seemingly designed for Chomsky to belt out of the political ballpark where well constructed "answers" are a means of pushing his political agenda which paints the government as nefarious evil doers while casually shrugging off critics as "idiotic" or "laughable".This is Noam Chomsky.
So why do I rate this book 4 stars? I do so because I have to be honest with anyone who is going to read this review. I will always contend that delivery is a large part of any book. Because of the delivery, this is a 4 star book and not a 5 star book. But it doesn't take away from the underlying message which Chomsky tries to send.
What is that message? Anyone familiar with Chomsky will know that his ultimate message is this. Motives and actions of the US government are frequently underhanded and inhumanitarian. He contends that our government routinely practices terrorism (government defined) and that major media outlets ignore the reality of how our government operates in various theaters of the world.
Chomsky's message, despite his delivery, is one that is often hard to counter and lined with truth. The hard part about reading this book is that Chomsky demands you believe him 100% and dismisses any disagree with him as uneducated, uncaring, or evil.
I think it's easy to see Chomsky as an anti-rhetoric rhetoric machine. In an effort to counter the rhetoric of the US government, he does that which he criticizes. The government says "war" and Chomsky says "slaughter". He practices what he claims to despise.
A second Chomsky flaw is hand waving off counter arguments. Instead of attempting to debate an argument, he points to other texts and claims that the proof is there. Instead of attempting to take on issues head-to-head, he bobs and weaves with vague references which are not readily available to the reader.
My third complaint with Chomsky is his insistence that he knows the unknowable. In one instance he says the government has a "program of silent" genocide. Additionally, through the book he states (as fact) what Bin Laden wants to come of the 9-11 attacks, while later claiming there is no proof Bin Laden was involved. Alluding to these facts instead of calling them what they are, namely opinions and speculation, is what he builds many of his points on; points which rest on a suspect foundation.
My basic problem with him is that despite it all, this is still a very good book. Chomsky is a good thinker. He is well read, well informed, and sometimes well spoken. He doesn't need to resort to these tactics, yet he does. Chomsky is like a teenager in his maturity level at times, belittling those who don't agree with him and hand waving his way through topics by saying things are so obvious it's foolish to bother explaining.
What is good about this book again?
Now to some of those points I refer to when I claim he does have a good message beneath the childish rhetoric. Considering the time frame, a mere 7 days after 9-11, Chomsky correctly predicts that Israel would eventually use the Bush anti-terrorist rhetoric to step through a huge hole opened when he declared countries as either with or against the US.
In understanding the element involved here, Chomsky also suggests we should strive to apprehend the wrongdoers and attempt to comprehend the forces at play. When Chomsky says we should try to, "Understand and address the cause," I'm right there with him.
Additionally, he elucidates a great thought which entails the continued oppression by the US and Israel of Iraqi and Palestinian people, respectively. In continuing these oppressive actions, many people look at the US and the Israel with disdain. When Bin Laden speaks out against these acts of oppression, even those who hate Bin Laden identify with him. His latching on to these key points, and the US government's continued actions to support what he says, rally a large part of the Arab world against the US.
These are the points that Chomsky brings to light. Similarly, when people, no matter how hated by society, speak out against the US bombing of a Sudanese pharmaceutical plant - the same plant that supplied half the country with its medication - people listen and begin to foster strong hate towards the US.
The book helps in giving you a better understanding and perspective of US actions and their consequences. What would US citizens think if they knew what our government was doing in various arenas of the world? Again, it goes back to trying to understand the impetus for 9-11.
Chomsky reminds you of the question which occasionally plagues you. Why do we support Saudi Arabia, the center for much of this anti-American sentiment? Why did we support Iraq in the 80's? The Mujahadin in the 80's? Chomsky's point is this. Why do we stop asking these questions even though we know what the answers are?
Back to Chomsky. Yes, he is unobjective. He will never present the reader with a balanced picture. Yes, he selectively looks at history through his one-eyed microscope to prove his point, even drawing on history 40 years past to support anti-US opinions of today. And yes, he will beat his selfish "I am right you are stupid" drum incessantly.
But the reality is this. When you cut through all of this, his message is clear and hard to refute. It's not a rosy picture out there, just beyond the fingertips of what you can see, hear, and read every day in the media. The citizens of this country are implicitly supporting these atrocities that go on in the world by not questioning them. And in his petulant and annoying manner, Chomsky reminds you what the questions are and why you should be asking them.
I clearly recommend reading this book.