Propaganda and the Public Mind
by Noam Chomsky, David Barsamian
The world is a better place because it has Noam Chomsky and his books. And it’s in that spirit that Haymarket books has taken up the task of putting out a series of new Chomsky books and republishing and updating some new ones for our benefit. And Propaganda and the Public Mind is a good place as any to start with this collection.
Composed of his interviews with David Barsamian (who Chomsky calls his publicist), Propaganda and the Public Mind hits the sweet spot as far as Noam Chomsky books are concerned because it’s mostly devoid of the dense writing and language that make up his more formal books. Instead, it reads (as it should) like a conversation. And although it’s called Propaganda and the Public Mind, this remarkably slender book covers a large range of issues and, as you can imagine, what the US’ role was. What range indeed, as Barsamian and Chomsky cover topics such as the US’ interest in regulating world trade agreements, the media’s role in distracting and misleading the population, East Timor, the Seattle riots, and the democratic state in India. We even get some insights into Chomsky’s personal life and his jock grandson.
Of course, there are plenty of times I felt a little lost and the conversation went right over my head. But that’s just a great excuse I’m going to have for rereading his books. This book, as with all of Chomsky’s books, ought to be studied.
Get a copy here!
