9-11 by Noam Chomsky Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of 9-11
Book Review: Agitprop from the master himself
Summary: 1 Stars
Chomsky main failing in this work and it appears to be a recurring theme in his 40 year career as a propagandist, is he begins with a typical theory: America is bad and all that it does is bad, finds information to corroborate this through a creative process of distorting sources or failing to mention them all together, and ignoring anything that might deconstruct his theme. Despite Chomsky's belief that Bin Laden's attacks were driven by US foreign policy, all one has to do is go to the source, whom Chomsky believes can be taken at his word, to realize the goals of Bin Laden.
All actions taken by Bin Laden and his organization have this specific and narrow goal: to re-create the Islamic Caliphate that existed centuries ago and basing it on Shari'a. It is driven by a chauvinistic belief that "Dar es Harb" does not deserve its prosperity and "Dar es Salam" deserves to take its rightful place of power on the world stage. Realistically, the only thing standing in the way of the recreation of the Caliphate is the United States and the force it can project to prevent this, and that's why Bin Laden believes it needs to be destroyed. One does not even have to stoop to Chomsky's level of vile intellectual dishonesty to make this point, Bin Laden's own words are very clear on this.
"the pious Caliphate will start from Afghanistan"
This is Bin Laden's reason for 9/11, everything else from the Palestinian issue to Iraq, to Saudi Arabia is a pile on to garner him mainstream support, but his core ideology a, Shari'a governed Islamic Caliphate, is what motivates his backers, allies. and foot soldiers.
Chomsky confidence that he understands everything that motivated Bin Laden, is more a projection of his own beliefs, ideology and motivations for wanting to see America destroyed than Bin Laden's motivations. Chomsky on September 11th is like someone who, upon hearing that Reagan was shot, immediately launches into a ten-minute tirade about the Contras, Cuba, Palestine, Vietnam (etcetera), only to be told that was all about Jodie Foster.
His analysis, if that's what one could call this tripe, about Bin Laden also repeats the often told lie that Bin Laden was involved with the US during the 80's in Afghanistan. The Mujahideen were split into 6 different factions , three of which were hardliner Islamists : Islamic Party , Islamic society , Islamic Unity and three moderate factions : Islamic Revolutionary Movement , National Islamic Front , and National Liberation Front . None of these factions were led by Bin Laden and not all them were supplied by America, the hardliners were supplied by Pakistan , Egypt and Saudi Arabia . Don't believe it, look up Rober Fisk's interview with Bin Laden in 1988 where Bin Laden categorically denies that he took any assistance from the US during the Afghan Jihad.
If you want to know who Bin Laden is read Michael Scheuer, if you want to know what drives him, read Daniel Pipes, and if you want a poor alternative for toilet paper read Chomsky.
Book Review: An Important Insight into Terrorism and its Causes!
Summary: 5 Stars
By way of introduction, I would like to say that Chomsky is one of the most intelligent and proficient writers in the world. Most importantly, he always assumes an objective view to international conflicts. In this book, Chomsky accounts for the events that led to September 11 attack. It should be stressed that Noam by no means attempts to justify the atrocious attack on World Trade Center. Instead, he seeks to explain why a great number of third world countries view the US as an enemy. Killing innocent people must not be justified under any circumstances; this is irrefutable! Nonetheless, understanding the underlying causes may be of great importance in forming an objective opinion of the conflict. Undeniably, there are numerous aspects of the US foreign politics that are erronous, unjust, debetable and ambiguous! Noam Chomsky provides an invaluable insight into US involvement in international conflicts. The greatest strength of this book is clear and lucid arguments that are supported by empirical evidence! Buy this book today; it is without doubt the most intelligent and elaborate book on the subject matter!Book Review: An expert on Middle East issues
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was a big eye-opener for me in terms of the US and its foreign policies. However, it has to be read with an open mind because alot of the fault is blamed on the bullying of the US. Read it ...it's well worth it. THe media would never discuss issues he brings up. Like the Sudan and the implications that the sanctions placed on Iraq have on the world view of us. Although a bit out of date since it went to press in mid-October, the general idea still comes thru. America needs to change its ways if we want this so called "war on terrorism" to cease. And Bush's "Axis of Evil" comments just don't cut it. These types of sayings just aggravate the problem further and push the US into further isolation. Like another reviewer said, yes, we are at the top, in terms of being a superpower, but at the expense of stepping on a lot of little folks (smaller nations).Book Review: An explanation is not an excuse
Summary: 5 Stars
"Blaming American foreign policy for the 9/11 attacks is the same as justifying them," write some reviewers. No, it isn't the same. An explanation is not an excuse. One insane agenda can be the trigger for another without either being justified on any grounds. To unthinkingly accept the righteousness of American foreign policy without considering its consequences is precisely the kind of infantile "either/or" mentality the American right relies on: "You're either with us, or you're with the terrorists." Actually, Mr. Bush, I'm with my conscience and common sense. Open your mind. Read this book. You might not change your views, but at least you'll have tested them against something more than White House press conferences and other forms of infotainment like Fox News. Chomsky condemns the 9/11 attacks, as any rational, moral human being does. But he's brave enough to think seriously about what motivated them, even when the answers might be painful. How brave are you?Book Review: An idealist, he wants to change the world for the better
Summary: 4 Stars
Noam Chomsky has spent a lifetime sharply criticizing U.S. Foreign policy. And he's still going strong. In the first few weeks after 9-11, he was interviewed a lot about the event. This small book consists of transcripts of these interviews and was rushed into print while the smoke was still settling over that big hole in the ground where the World Trade Center used to be.There's nothing essentially new in these musings. Chomsky believes that American imperialist interests are responsible for most of the ills of the world. He feels that 9-11 was the result of a volcano of unrest that was just waiting to erupt. There's a bit of "I told you so" in his analysis, and an attempt to weave it all together - Nicaragua, Vietnam, and the history of the world. Some of it is understandable and I find myself nodding in agreement as he discusses the wars and turmoil that has always existed. According to him, the only difference in what has been going on forever is that, for the first time, the victims are different. And because the victims are American, he feels he can blame the victims. Well, not really the "victims"; it's the American government he targets.
He also warns against bombing Afghanistan. He sees it as just playing into the perpetrators' hands because this will even give more fuel to the fire, make them hate us more and leave us open to more and more attacks. His warnings and pronouncements seem gloomy indeed. But are we supposed to do nothing?
I live in downtown New York. I saw firsthand the horror of 9-11. I smelled the burning fires for weeks. And I've finally stopped looking for those tall twin towers, which used to be part of the landscape I saw every day. I remember the photos of the victims posted on billboards and lampposts and the faces of despair on us all. All those victims did was go to work one Tuesday morning. They were just living their lives, not part of an international conspiracy - office workers and waiters, shopkeepers and fire fighters. A lot of people died that day. It was awful.
It is my understanding that every action has a reaction, a rippling effect that causes further reactions. War and conquest has been going on even before the discovery of fire. We're awfully naïve if we think that's going to change. And yet, I applaud the idealist in Professor Chomsky. He wants to change the world for the better. That's what keeps him going. And the book "9-11" is the latest of his efforts.
Do read it. It's small and easy to follow. It's a frightening perspective for the future. And yet, there's an underlying message of hope. Recommended.