I first heard of Noam Chomsky when someone (I can't recall who, sorry) called him 'probably the most often quoted living person in the world'. Then I saw him speaking in a quite decent documentary, ReGeneration, and speaking with sense, too. When I saw a book of his essays, Hopes and Prospects, the next step was obvious.
My oh my, how I agree with the guy on political issues. He's pretty much no bullshit about power politics of today - a rare phenomenon in our politically correct world. One would wish actual politicians spoke like this but then 'politician' and 'truth telling' are mutually exclusive in definition, so...
If you ever wondered who rules the world, read Hopes and Prospects (and no, it's not about the Illuminati). I'm not sure if the book allows for much hope - I, for one, was more depressed than elated after reading it - but it shows some rays of light at least. We COULD live in a better world. One can only hope that one day we will.
Just to clarify - Hopes and Prospects is not exactly an example of sparking storytelling. It is not a literary masterpiece. It's a book on international politics, in its social and economical aspect but politics nevertheless. It's sensible, even wise, articulate and embellished with wonderfully acerbic wit (which, I'm guessing, is Chomsky's trademark), so if you're looking for a light entertainment, you should probably avoid it.
If you're seeking a smart commentary on the world we live in, go for it. You won't be disappointed.
No comments:
Post a Comment