Hamish Hamilton Hopes and Prospects

A realistic approach to understanding American foreign policy.

It doesn't seem to matter who is the US President it's just more of the same, or sometimes worse. By chance I happened to see a recording of David Icke giving a speech a the Oxford Union before Barack Obama was elected. There, he warns of the dangers of electing Obama saying he will just escalate wars, due in part to being supported by Zbigniew Brzezinski, who had admitted luring the Russians to invade Afghanistan over thirty years ago while President Carter's advisor. And we all know what happened to Afghanistan.What's this got to do with Chomsky's book? Well it's just exposing the truth that is really shocking to the readers who have not yet worked out how the world order and power operate in "democratic societies".Just to return to Obama, the man who embodied the hopes of millions of US citizens for a fairer society, what is his war record?- Started a covert, drone war in Yemen- Started a war in Libya without congressional approval- Escalated the war in Afghanistan- Sharply increased drone attacks in Pakistan- Continued the occupation of Iraq, in spite of saying otherwise- Escalated the proxy war in Somalia by launching drone strikes- Sold $60 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia- Secretly deployed US special forces to 75 countries- Signed an agreement for 7 military bases in Colombia- Touted nuclear power, even after the disaster in Japan- Opened up deepwater oil drilling, even after the BP disaster- Did a TV commercial promoting "clean coal"- Defended body scans and pat-downs at airports- Signed the Patriot Act extension into law- Continued Bush's rendition programIf this subject interests you then buy it, but if you prefer not to know then there are plenty of books to keep you occupied.

As his readers are already used to, in "Hopes and prospects" Chomsky heavily criticizes modern (mostly US) politics, starting from the collonial times and ending with the struggle of the third world to set itself free of the rich centres' of power deadly grip. Although the book does not offer much new material for readers already familiar with Chomsky, I would have given it four stars if it had a clear concept and order. However, it is actually a collection of several lectures Chomsky had given in Chile (as he himself says in the perface), arranged for a printed edition, with only loosely bounded chapters. Further, although as always very sharp and insightful in his comments, Chomsky quite often just wonders off a topic, or the opposite, stays too long on one. Nevertheless, the essence is more than clear, clearly argued and presented, and I can recommend the book to everybody interested in a critical view of the time we live in, and different from the one usually presented.

there's not much really to say: this book by Chomsky is the first his I am reading and I love it. The fact he gives is one and doubtlessly very important part of it, especially for people who don't know much about American policy and I have impression that most of the Americans don't know what they presidents REALLY do :(But language Chomsky uses is as important, it makes reading this book simply addictive.

If you're wanting to leave the cave from Plato's allegory, read this.It is so refreshing to read the words of a man as articulate and direct as Chomsky.This book has been eye opening and addictive, highly recommended.