Conducted from 1984 to 1996, these interviews first appeared in the books Chronicles of Dissent, Keeping the Rabble in Line, and Class Warfare, all published by the independent publisher Common Courage Press in Monroe, Maine.
This omnibus collection includes a new introduction by David Barsamian, looking back on conversations and engagement with Chomsky’s ideas that now spans decades, as well as a classic essay by Alexander Cockburn on Chomsky that served as the introduction to one of the original volumes.
What People Are Saying
"These interviews with Chomsky, conducted between 1984 and 1991, focus almost exclusively on the noted linguist's controversial political views. This volume is thus a good introduction to his political thought for those who are intimidated by his densely argued, exhaustively footnoted essays and books. The discussions range all over world history, from Columbus to the Gulf War, but they return repeatedly to certain pet topics--Israel as U.S. client-state, the perversion of language by propaganda, the pervasiveness of American imperialist designs and the complicity of a large sector of the intelligentsia and media in those machinations.... What sets this book apart from Chomsky's other writings are the passages in which he relates his political ideas to his childhood and youth in New York and Philadelphia—a refreshing dip into autobiography by an otherwise impersonal observer." —Publishers Weekly
"The world renowned chronicler of dissent, David Barsamian, interviews Noam Chomsky on Ukraine, parallels with the Cold War and the U.S. propaganda system. Whether you agree or disagree with Professor Chomsky's analysis, reading him always forces us to think critically and inspires us to act morally. A highly recommended interview." —Nader Hashemi, University of Denver