“Growing up in the place I did I never was aware of any other option but to question everything.”
Noam Chomsky is one of the world’s most acclaimed thinkers. The father of modern linguistics, a founder of cognitive science and one of the most revered commentators and political critics in his generation. Heralded as ‘arguably the most important intellectual alive’ by the New York Times, Chomsky introduced the world to groundbreaking concepts such as ‘universal grammar’ and the ‘Chomsky hierarchy’, which were based on the innate structure of our brains.
He’s also known as one of the most scathing political critics of his day, especially when it comes to American foreign policy in places ranging from Vietnam to the Middle East. Fierce, unapologetic and incredibly enthralling with his arguments, join us here at What We Reading for all the best Noam Chomsky books!
How The World Works
Kicking off the list with arguably his most significant and influential work, How The World Works is the quintessential guide to Noam Chomsky and his ideas on the state of global affairs. Through a collection of first-hand speeches and interviews, Chomsky is able to masterfully deconstruct the complexities of the modern world. Essays included in How The World Works include the acclaimed:
- What Uncle Sam Really Wants
- The Prosperous Few and the Restless Many
- Secrets, Lies and Democracy
- The Common Good
As timeless and compelling as ever, How The World Works is an eye-opening read that lays bare all of Chomsky’s arguments in one place.
Who Rules The World?
Now featuring an afterword on the tumultuous term of Donald Trump, Who Rules the World? is Noam Chomsky’s fierce attempt to take stock of the state of global geopolitics at present. Chomsky’s career has been defined by bringing the hidden actors playing the stage from behind the curtain out into the spotlight, and Who Rules the World is amongst his most scathing and enlightening works to date.
From the dark history of the US to the rise of China as the new superpower, Chomsky explores the most pressing issues facing our fragile global society at present. Fiercely outspoken and concise with his arguments, the book shines a light on the world’s most powerful players operating with almost no restriction, while the rest of the world struggles to grapple with everything from climate change to nuclear proliferation.
Manufacturing Consent
One of the most enduring and compelling sociological resources ever put forward, Manufacturing Consent is Noam Chomsky’s exploration into how the elite forces control the mass media. Along with Edward S Herman, the pair masterfully deconstruct how the elite is able to manipulate the media the masses consume.
From double standards in portrayals to the selection of stories that reach the public eye, it is a groundbreaking study that utilises real-world examples to demonstrate exactly how the lines between media and propaganda can begin to blur. It is also a useful tool in demonstrating how to read these lines and understand their true intentions in a clearer way.
Failed States
In geopolitical terms, a ‘failed state’ refers to a country or a dominion whose Government has become so destabilised it has lost control. Noam Chomsky explores these failed states and their relationship with the USA in his acclaimed work, Failed States.
The US has consistently resorted to military force to oust or prop up Governments around the world, however, Chomsky argues that there are in fact more similarities between the world’s superpower and these failed states. With damning assessments of America’s past and present history, it is a captivating read that expertly breaks down the hypocrisies in recent US foreign policy.
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Understanding Power
Understanding Power is one of the books that put Noam Chomsky on the map as one of America’s most timeless critical thinkers. In it, editors Peter Mitchell and John Schoeffel assemble all of Chomsky’s most enlightening talks on the past, present and future of political power.
Sweeping from the Vietnam War to the declining welfare state of the late 1990s, Chomsky takes aim at how the US’ imperialistic foreign policy has come to dominate social service matters at home. Exploring issues both abroad and the wide array of new activism in the present day, it is the perfect book for understanding why Chomsky’s beliefs are so multi-generational.
What Kind Of Creatures Are We?
In What Kind of Creatures Are We?, Chomsky combines his work in science, linguistics and political commentary over fifty years to paint a vivid picture of what goes on inside our bodies and minds, as well as what they are capable of housing.
Clear, precise and delivered in a way that any layman can keep up with and understand, highlights of the book include Chomsky’s musings on the origins of language, the relationship between linguistics and thought and the arguments he puts against alternative linguistic theories that place emphasis on the social aspects of language at the expense of its biological basis. Chomsky also begins to explore more philosophical musings. Rounding out the book, he touches on his own positions, their historical influences and how they fit with pressing contemporary issues.
On Palestine
Chomsky has always been one of the most vocal voices against Israeli strikes against Gaza. His 2015 book, On Palestine, remains one of the scathing and powerful commentaries on the subject. Co-authored with Israeli historian and activist Ilan Pappé, it is the sequel to their work, Gaza in Crisis and tackles the fallout of Operation Protective Edge. Nuanced and passionate in its approach, it is one of the best books for understanding the Israel-Palestine conflict as well as the balance of power in the Middle East.
Optimism Over Despair
Optimism over Despair: On Capitalism, Empire, and Social Change serves as an introduction to Chomsky’s views on everything from the War on Terror, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Israel-Palestine conflict to the dysfunctional nature of the American electoral system.
One of the most contemporary Noam Chomsky books, it is the perfect resource for anyone of a newer generation looking to get a good understanding of what his works are all about. The book is a collection of interviews conducted by C.J. Polychroniou and remains one of the most coherent and well-structured volumes on Chomsky to date.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
