Chomsky For Beginners

Chomsky for Beginners, David Cogswell, Writers and Readers Publishers, Inc, 1996

This is an introduction to the life and work of "arguably the most important intellectual alive" (New York Times). Noam Chomsky's "day job" is as a linguistics professor at MIT, but he is known worldwide as a political gadlfly and author of more than 30 books. Covering various aspects of politics, history and foreign policy, they explore perspectives rarely, if ever, found in the major media. Chomsky's central message is quite simple: Huge corporations run the world, our country, major media, and both political parties.

Among other assertions in this book: Those who own the country feel that they should run it; mass media is little more than a public relations industry for the rich and powerful; to combat this, people should practice thinking critically and asking questions.

Cogswell does a wonderful job explaining Chomsky in clear language that anyone can understand. Those who have never read Noam Chomsky might be wondering if there's a best place to start; here is an excellent place to start. You won't be disappointed.