Listen free for 30 days
-
Understanding Power
- The Indispensable Chomsky
- Narrated by: Robin Bloodworth
- Length: 22 hrs and 12 mins
- Categories: Politics & Social Sciences, Politics & Government
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Essential Chomsky
- By: Noam Chomsky, Anthony Arnove - editor
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 22 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a single volume, the seminal writings of the world's leading philosopher, linguist, and critic, published to coincide with his 80th birthday. For the past 40 years Noam Chomsky's writings on politics and language have established him as a preeminent public intellectual and as one of the most original and wide-ranging political and social critics of our time. Among the seminal figures in linguistic theory over the past century, since the 1960s Chomsky has also secured a place as perhaps the leading dissident voice in the United States.
-
-
Some of the Essays are very interesting
- By Honest Dude on 12-07-18
-
The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution
- By: Francis Fukuyama
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 22 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Virtually all human societies were once organized tribally, yet over time most developed new political institutions which included a central state that could keep the peace and uniform laws that applied to all citizens. Some went on to create governments that were accountable to their constituents. We take these institutions for granted, but they are absent or are unable to perform in many of today’s developing countries—with often disastrous consequences for the rest of the world.
-
-
Best explanation of pre-modern Humanity
- By Alex on 14-12-16
-
Who Rules the World?
- Reframings
- By: Noam Chomsky
- Narrated by: Brian Jones
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Internationally renowned political commentator Noam Chomsky examines America's pursuit and exercise of power in a post-9/11 world. Noam Chomsky is the world's foremost intellectual activist. Over the last half century, no one has done more to question the great global powers who govern our lives, forensically scrutinizing policies and actions, calling our politicians, institutions and media to account. The culmination of years of work, Who Rules the World? is Chomsky's definitive intellectual investigation into the major issues of our times.
-
-
Terrible narrator
- By Farhana Akthar on 28-01-18
-
Capital in the Twenty-First Century
- By: Thomas Piketty, Arthur Goldhammer - translator
- Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
- Length: 24 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What are the grand dynamics that drive the accumulation and distribution of capital? Questions about the long-term evolution of inequality, the concentration of wealth, and the prospects for economic growth lie at the heart of political economy. But satisfactory answers have been hard to find for lack of adequate data and clear guiding theories. In Capital in the Twenty-First Century, Thomas Piketty analyzes a unique collection of data from 20 countries, ranging as far back as the 18th century, to uncover key economic and social patterns.
-
-
Great book - pity about the editing of the reading
- By Jeannie on 16-08-15
-
The Growth Delusion
- Why Economists Are Getting It Wrong and What We Can Do About It
- By: David Pilling
- Narrated by: Elliot Hill
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A revelatory and entertaining book about the pitfalls of how we measure our economy and how to correct them, by an award-winning editor of The Financial Times. According to GDP, the economy is in a golden era: economic growth has risen steadily over the past 70 years and shows no sign of stopping. But if this is the case, why are we living in such fractured times, with global populism on the rise and wealth inequality as stark as ever?
-
-
Great book made even better by great narration
- By KF on 08-08-18
-
A Little History of Philosophy
- By: Nigel Warburton
- Narrated by: Kris Dyer
- Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Philosophy begins with questions about the nature of reality and how we should live. These were the concerns of Socrates, who spent his days in the ancient Athenian marketplace asking awkward questions, disconcerting the people he met by showing them how little they genuinely understood. This engaging book introduces the great thinkers in Western philosophy and explores their most compelling ideas about the world and how best to live in it.
-
-
A Great History of Philosophy
- By Dippy on 01-12-15
-
The Essential Chomsky
- By: Noam Chomsky, Anthony Arnove - editor
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 22 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a single volume, the seminal writings of the world's leading philosopher, linguist, and critic, published to coincide with his 80th birthday. For the past 40 years Noam Chomsky's writings on politics and language have established him as a preeminent public intellectual and as one of the most original and wide-ranging political and social critics of our time. Among the seminal figures in linguistic theory over the past century, since the 1960s Chomsky has also secured a place as perhaps the leading dissident voice in the United States.
-
-
Some of the Essays are very interesting
- By Honest Dude on 12-07-18
-
The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution
- By: Francis Fukuyama
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 22 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Virtually all human societies were once organized tribally, yet over time most developed new political institutions which included a central state that could keep the peace and uniform laws that applied to all citizens. Some went on to create governments that were accountable to their constituents. We take these institutions for granted, but they are absent or are unable to perform in many of today’s developing countries—with often disastrous consequences for the rest of the world.
-
-
Best explanation of pre-modern Humanity
- By Alex on 14-12-16
-
Who Rules the World?
- Reframings
- By: Noam Chomsky
- Narrated by: Brian Jones
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Internationally renowned political commentator Noam Chomsky examines America's pursuit and exercise of power in a post-9/11 world. Noam Chomsky is the world's foremost intellectual activist. Over the last half century, no one has done more to question the great global powers who govern our lives, forensically scrutinizing policies and actions, calling our politicians, institutions and media to account. The culmination of years of work, Who Rules the World? is Chomsky's definitive intellectual investigation into the major issues of our times.
-
-
Terrible narrator
- By Farhana Akthar on 28-01-18
-
Capital in the Twenty-First Century
- By: Thomas Piketty, Arthur Goldhammer - translator
- Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
- Length: 24 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What are the grand dynamics that drive the accumulation and distribution of capital? Questions about the long-term evolution of inequality, the concentration of wealth, and the prospects for economic growth lie at the heart of political economy. But satisfactory answers have been hard to find for lack of adequate data and clear guiding theories. In Capital in the Twenty-First Century, Thomas Piketty analyzes a unique collection of data from 20 countries, ranging as far back as the 18th century, to uncover key economic and social patterns.
-
-
Great book - pity about the editing of the reading
- By Jeannie on 16-08-15
-
The Growth Delusion
- Why Economists Are Getting It Wrong and What We Can Do About It
- By: David Pilling
- Narrated by: Elliot Hill
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A revelatory and entertaining book about the pitfalls of how we measure our economy and how to correct them, by an award-winning editor of The Financial Times. According to GDP, the economy is in a golden era: economic growth has risen steadily over the past 70 years and shows no sign of stopping. But if this is the case, why are we living in such fractured times, with global populism on the rise and wealth inequality as stark as ever?
-
-
Great book made even better by great narration
- By KF on 08-08-18
-
A Little History of Philosophy
- By: Nigel Warburton
- Narrated by: Kris Dyer
- Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Philosophy begins with questions about the nature of reality and how we should live. These were the concerns of Socrates, who spent his days in the ancient Athenian marketplace asking awkward questions, disconcerting the people he met by showing them how little they genuinely understood. This engaging book introduces the great thinkers in Western philosophy and explores their most compelling ideas about the world and how best to live in it.
-
-
A Great History of Philosophy
- By Dippy on 01-12-15
-
The Silk Roads
- A New History of the World
- By: Peter Frankopan
- Narrated by: Laurence Kennedy
- Length: 24 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The sun is setting on the Western world. Slowly but surely, the direction in which the world spins has reversed: where for the last five centuries the globe turned westward on its axis, it now turns to the east.... For centuries, fame and fortune were to be found in the West - in the New World of the Americas. Today it is the East that calls out to those in search of adventure and riches. The region stretching from Eastern Europe and sweeping right across Central Asia, deep into China and India, is taking center stage.
-
-
Worthwhile book, annoying narration
- By DVee on 28-10-18
-
On Language
- Chomsky's Classic Works 'Language and Responsibility' and 'Reflections on Language'
- By: Noam Chomsky, Mitsou Ronat
- Narrated by: Fajer Al-Kaisi
- Length: 14 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Described by the New York Times as "arguably the most important intellectual alive," Noam Chomsky is known throughout the world for his highly influential writings on language and politics. Featuring two of Chomsky's most popular and enduring books in one omnibus volume, On Language contains some of the noted linguist and political critic's most informal and accessible work to date, making it an ideal introduction to his thought.
-
Media Control
- The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda
- By: Noam Chomsky
- Narrated by: Noam Chomsky
- Length: 1 hr and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Noam Chomsky’s backpocket classic on wartime propaganda and opinion control begins by asserting two models of democracy - one in which the public actively participates, and one in which the public is manipulated and controlled. According to Chomsky, "propaganda is to democracy as the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state", and the mass media is the primary vehicle for delivering propaganda in the United States.
-
-
Great work
- By Sab London on 16-05-17
-
Strategy
- A History
- By: Lawrence Freedman
- Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray
- Length: 32 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Strategy: A History, Sir Lawrence Freedman, one of the world's leading authorities on war and international politics, captures the vast history of strategic thinking, in a consistently engaging and insightful account of how strategy came to pervade every aspect of our lives.
-
-
Needed a strong editor and a snappier reader
- By R. Bradley on 29-03-16
-
The New Silk Roads
- The Present and Future of the World
- By: Peter Frankopan
- Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
- Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
'All roads used to lead to Rome. Today, they lead to Beijing.' When The Silk Roads was published in 2015, it became an instant classic. A major reassessment of world history, it compelled us to look at the past from a different perspective. The New Silk Roads brings this story up to date, addressing the present and future of a world that is changing dramatically. Following the Silk Roads eastwards, from Europe through to China, by way of Russia and the Middle East, The New Silk Roads provides a timely reminder that we live in a world that is profoundly interconnected.
-
-
Fascinating. I learned something in every chapter
- By J.F.Penn on 19-01-19
-
Prisoners of Geography
- Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About Global Politics
- By: Tim Marshall
- Narrated by: Ric Jerom
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If you've ever wondered why Putin is so obsessed with Crimea, why the USA was destined to become a global superpower or why China's power base continues to expand ever outwards, the answers are all here. In 10 chapters, using essays and occasionally the personal experiences of the widely travelled author, Prisoners of Geography looks at the past, present and future to offer an essential insight into one of the major factors that determines world history.
-
-
An interesting and thought-provoking approach
- By Kirstine on 12-02-18
-
Necessary Illusions
- Thought Control in Democratic Societies
- By: Noam Chomsky
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 18 hrs and 12 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In his 1988 CBC Massey Lecture, Noam Chomsky inquires into the nature of the media in a political system where the population cannot be disciplined by force and thus must be subjected to more subtle forms of ideological control. Specific cases are illustrated in detail, using the U.S. media primarily but also media in other societies.
-
-
Yawn
- By Alex on 13-01-21
-
On Anarchism
- By: Noam Chomsky, Nathan Schneider - introduction
- Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
- Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On Anarchism provides the reasoning behind Noam Chomsky's fearless lifelong questioning of the legitimacy of entrenched power. In these essays, Chomsky redeems one of the most maligned ideologies, anarchism, and places it at the foundation of his political thinking. Chomsky's anarchism is distinctly optimistic and egalitarian. Moreover, it is a living, evolving tradition that is situated in a historical lineage; Chomsky's anarchism emphasizes the power of collective, rather than individualist, action.
-
-
First Chomsky will not be the last
- By papapownall on 13-05-19
-
Profit Over People
- Neoliberalism & Global Order
- By: Noam Chomsky
- Narrated by: Brian Jones
- Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Why is the Atlantic slowly filling with crude petroleum, threatening a millions-of-years-old ecological balance? Why did traders at prominent banks take high-risk gambles with the money entrusted to them by hundreds of thousands of clients around the world, expanding and leveraging their investments to the point that failure led to a global financial crisis that left millions of people jobless and hundreds of cities economically devastated?
-
-
Activism at its finest
- By Jim on 23-04-16
-
Yes! 50 Secrets from the Science of Persuasion
- By: Dr. Noah Goldstein, Steve Martin, Dr. Robert B. Cialdini
- Narrated by: Clive Mantle
- Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Every day, we face the challenge of persuading others to do what we want. But what makes people say 'yes' to our requests? Based on more than 60 years of research into the psychology of persuasion, this audiobook reveals many remarkable insights that will help listeners to be more persuasive, both at work and at home.
-
-
WORTH THE TIME & MONEY!
- By Chelle :o)) on 08-06-10
-
Superforecasting
- The Art and Science of Prediction
- By: Philip Tetlock, Dan Gardner
- Narrated by: Joel Richards
- Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Everyone would benefit from seeing further into the future, whether buying stocks, crafting policy, launching a new product, or simply planning the week's meals. Unfortunately, people tend to be terrible forecasters. As Wharton professor Philip Tetlock showed in a landmark 2005 study, even experts' predictions are only slightly better than chance. However, an important and underreported conclusion of that study was that some experts do have real foresight.
-
-
Not much substance.
- By Mr George Thompson on 09-05-16
-
Power Systems
- By: Noam Chomsky
- Narrated by: Noam Chomsky, David Barsamian
- Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Power Systems by Noam Chomsky, read by Noam Chomsky and David Barsamian. In this new collection of conversations, conducted from 2010 to 2012, Noam Chomsky explores the most immediate and urgent concerns: the future of democracy in the Arab world, the implications of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the 'class war' fought by US business interests against working people and the poor, the breakdown of mainstream political institutions and the rise of the far right.
Summary
A major new collection from "arguably the most important intellectual alive" (The New York Times). Noam Chomsky is universally accepted as one of the preeminent public intellectuals of the modern era. Over the past thirty years, broadly diverse audiences have gathered to attend his sold-out lectures. Now, in Understanding Power, Peter Mitchell and John Schoeffel have assembled the best of Chomsky's recent talks on the past, present, and future of the politics of power.
In a series of enlightening and wide-ranging discussions, all published here for the first time, Chomsky radically reinterprets the events of the past three decades, covering topics from foreign policy during Vietnam to the decline of welfare under the Clinton administration. And as he elucidates the connection between America's imperialistic foreign policy and the decline of domestic social services, Chomsky also discerns the necessary steps to take toward social change. With an eye to political activism and the media's role in popular struggle, as well as U.S. foreign and domestic policy, Understanding Power offers a sweeping critique of the world around us and is definitive Chomsky. Characterized by Chomsky's accessible and informative style, this is the ideal book for those new to his work as well as for those who have been listening for years.
More from the same
What listeners say about Understanding Power
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Damien H
- 31-10-17
Compelling listening
The more of the book I listened to, the more engaging and accessible I found it. There is a lot to listen to, but I would encourage listeners to persevere. The more of the book you hear, the more the complete picture is revealed.
25 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- C. S. Horler
- 07-07-18
Effecting Change
I listened to this over 6 weeks, at times a bit repetitive - but I suppose that's to be expected.
Probably 60/40 illustrative examples concern US foreign or domestic policy. Vs. The rest of the world.
The essence of the message :
* Governments under the foot of corporations
* Continual military action to ensure arms manufacture
* Universities shape the potential elites (plus the normal function of education and research)
* The press, not to be trusted.
* Economic strategy reasonably clear as one root cause, but no solution
Negatives:
* no discussion of rights and freedoms in the digital age (modern Internet, digital surveillance, evolution of dark web etc)
* leaves you wondering about if this is targeted at your insecurities - who should we trust.
* lacking in depth treatment of Europe (at one point alludes to more evolved socio-politic of Europe, and at another naive view of Europe wrt US) probably the wrong book if you want a greater understanding of European politics, culture and business.
Doesn't really answer the question how to effect change, only makes clear - new governments are only a placebo during the honeymoon period until corporations fully exert their control. Democratic voting power?
18 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- flying_fin
- 15-09-15
Listen to this book and awake from the dream
What made the experience of listening to Understanding Power the most enjoyable?
This is probably one of the most influential books I have ever experienced. It covers so much ground, is so detailed and fact-rich that I never for a moment questioned the authenticity and sincerity of Chomsky's opinions and study of a world in the grip of trans-national corporate power. The depth of analysis and reasoning is at times breathtaking and much of the content will stay with me forever. I hope many will have the chance to read it and spread the word in order that we might all, in our small way, change for the better the sociopolitical landscape we find ourselves in today.
26 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Peter Thomas McNeely
- 09-01-17
Mixed bag
This is a good introduction to Noam Chomsky, and enjoyable. I'm glad I bought it.
However, some of the material is redundant - repeating arguments made elsewhere in the audiobook. Also, some of it has nothing to do with politics and society: it's just Noam telling us his guesses and opinions, and explaining how he feels about social activism.
Also, the way the narrator reads the questions from the audiences often presents them as stupid, or worshipful. That's not great.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 13-08-15
A book made for audible
This is a great book. It is tough going in places, so make use of the bookmarks and go back until you understand. It's long but it's worth it. The detail and examples are well thought out and relevant to today.
If you find yourself questioning information you read on social media, watch on the TV or read in the newspaper, this book is for you.
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sam
- 06-11-16
insightful and relevant to history and present
Very long and detailed journey of American and world history rooted in real examples a day references. The relevance of some predictions and commentary from 1990's to today's political landscape is truly reflection of well grounded understanding of power dynamics
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- It's Me!
- 31-03-16
Really Indispensable Book!
Any additional comments?
This book is quite philosophical in nature. It defines the class of Chomsky if you’ve, only, vaguely heard about the man before. I have had reasonably good understanding of how US is working towards her hegemonic plans. But this book has given me strong understanding as to how serious the country is towards it’s malicious schemes. Arguments presented in the book are very strong and clear. It’s simple and so easy to follow and comprehend. There is no rhetoric, spat or rant of any kind. It’s pure intellectual work. Really loved it!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- julien
- 06-08-17
brilliant
my first experience of Noam Chomsky. I much preferred that book than the subsequent one i read of him, because this one is a collection of picked interventions of the authors rather than a long, structured narrative, which allow a much greater span to the reflexion.
the picture the author paints of the current american and world power structure is so simple, so instinctive yet so completely misunderstood its bewildering.
i highly recommend this book for anyone interested in understanding our world
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jack Gleeson
- 09-12-16
Mind Blowing
The book, which touches on so many intricate subjects, is a masterpiece. Human introspection at the highest level.
Possibly the most powerful and thought-provoking material produced this century.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- nabil chouba
- 02-09-15
Great book about Power
If you could sum up Understanding Power in three words, what would they be?
I will never see the world in the same way after reading this book
Any additional comments?
I will never see the world in the same way after reading this depressing book about power. Noam is probably focusing on the dark side but all the annoying facts presented are real.
we all agree that the current system is unfair, I think future will be better with technology, an Anarchist-Chomsky solution will be possible in 20-30 years from now.
(A Must Read Book)
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Comatoso
- 12-08-15
Current times demand you get this into your head.
I'm not what you would consider a member of the left, actually I'm a capitalist entrepreneur. But the ideas and concepts in this book are universal, fundamental and are necesary if you wish to understand how the modern world works and the true forces tha shape our lives.ostl6, if you want to make a change for thr better it's necesary to understand what change looks like in the long timeframes we humans need to make real lasting change.
I don't agree with some of the ideas he presents but they are microscopic and of little importance in comparison to the scope of the information in this book, but that's just an opinion.
The best thing is to read this now, almost 30 years later. Chomsky got most of it right as you will learn if you listen to this completely. he basically predicts our current state.
By the way, I have had this book for 10 years in print and never had made the time to read. so yeah, thanks Audible.
49 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Tobinardo
- 20-05-15
Staggering insight.
A most amazing compilation of facts surrounding the understanding of world power and their structures by one of greatest minds of our time! I just hope he is wrong in his conclusions.
18 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jim
- 13-05-15
Great Material - Dry Performance
Mr. Bloodworth's reading is technically precise and easy to understand, it's as dry as toast roasted in the summer sun on the flats of the Atacama Desert.
The source material more than make up for this.
Recommended.
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Jay Parker
- 03-11-18
NC: The Left's equivalent to Rush Limbaugh
Bright, biased and well-educated, NC interprets everything through an subjective, confirmation-biased filter. If a government publication agrees with him, he says, "even the government . . .." If the publication disagrees, it is because of an organized, controlling cabal of extremely rich people. Thus, like Rush, he throws out a few facts sprinkles them with emotion and unproven sinister motivation to make a concluding causal statement of effect that may--but most often does not--have any direct causal linkage to the facts or cabal of 'motivated' human agents. He is right that America and the world need to put a check on corporations' role in society, lest the corporate leaders overthrow their shareholders and become our defacto feudal leaders--the most likely road to serfdom. Yet, he is so fixated on 'Socialist Democracy is good' (a connotatively self defeating choice of phrase) that he fails to propose a realistic, executable solution (like trust-busting or forcing large corporations to divide and compete, thereby preventing excess accumulation of power and its harmful effects on society, labor wages, etc.)
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Scott
- 19-03-15
Chomsky
Fantastic book. Well organized and narrated. Essential for all, especially anarchists. Chomsky is like a political and economic encyclopedia. Don't make the mistake of idolizing him, think for yourself and go organize!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mr. B
- 13-05-16
A good start to Chomsky...
I enjoyed this very much. The first 9 "chapters" are a good summation of the U.S. and it's impact both here and abroad throughout the latter portion of the 20th century. For people like me in their mid 30's, it will be very interesting as much of what is covered happened when we were very young or before our time began. The last part of this collection has some very alarming conversation in regards to our future that is happening now and in recent years. Some may find this very boring and that is understandable as it can be very "dry" unless you are just very into Chomsky or his perspective on the power structure in our world. Overall it was a good listen but I had to give it a 4 because I did struggle to stay interested through some of it. I would like to give a lot of credit to the editors for what must have been a tedious and painstaking process to compile the best questions and answers from many different talks .
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Peggy Sue Richards
- 30-06-15
Preaching to the choir in a powerful way
So what are you doing about (it - whatever)?? Noam has always pushed us to be our best selves - to try to right wrongs and find alternatives to violence in our own lives and those of people everywhere. He is reminding us of what is in our hearts - we know when something is unsustainable (our shortsighted economic greed and resultant violence) and we know what to do about it (seek out and join with like-minded people to speak out, to support the good and to oppose and expose the oppression by the corporate oligarchy. We are powerful together, but not in isolation. I say listen, learn, love ourselves and others and don't let our brothers and sisters suffer - just do it. Together we are powerful!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Tyler
- 09-03-17
Understanding Power Indeed
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Absolutely, in fact I already have several times. If you feel you need help understanding power, how the media plays people and how the USA control the world this book is illuminating. Better yet it's accessible, and if you need to check it's sources you can readily though it's website.
What about Robin Bloodworth’s performance did you like?
He gets how Noam talks I think, and really gets the points across. I rather enjoy listening to him, so much so I have been listening to the book a second time barely a week later which is unheard of for me.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Absolutely, but it's so dense your best to take breaks so you can content with the material.
Any additional comments?
After listening to Understanding power, I recommend Dictators hand book as a companion. and I do suggest them in that order as Understanding power really informs on the hypothesis presented in The Dictator's Handbook.
Possible the best book I've read in years and certainty the best political book I've ever read.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Rachel G.
- 02-12-16
Understanding Power: good material badly presented
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I would recommend it, but with major caveats. Chomsky is a brilliant thinker with an array of facts at his command that goes far beyond "impressive": "staggering" is more like it. He both knows about and has thought about an extraordinary range of issues. And this is part of the difficulty in listening to this book. The material seems to have been organized in a haphazard, or at least bizarre, way: a given chapter might include material on abortion, the Korean War, various conspiracy theories, and Wall Street capitalists. The next chapter might include some of these as well, along with a bunch of others. The material is certainly not organized chronologically, which would have had its own value in seeing the development of Chomsky's thoughts. The chapter titles are of no help here, nor are the "section" titles -- I'm not sure what else to call them -- phrases inserted between chunks of material. They feel like the editor/producer telling me what the next part is "actually" about; this is not a big drawback, but could have been done much better.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Understanding Power?
The book left me with diametrically opposed feelings - the need to take action, to find something that one can do, set next to the feeling of the enormous difficulty of making anything actually happen. These thoughts are echoed over and over by the people -- often serious activists themselves -- who attended these talks and whose questions structure the material. Then again, perhaps that is the result that Chomsky was striving for.
What didn’t you like about Robin Bloodworth’s performance?
The reading itself isn't bad, but there are some choices (which may or may not have been Bloodworth's) that really, and I mean really, get in the way of making this a more enjoyable experience. One is simply how Noam Chomsky's first name is pronounced. I have always heard "Noam" pronounced to rhyme with "Rome" or (what I think is more correct) just as it is spelled, as having almost two syllables: think of saying "Noah" but with an "m" on the end. In the various editors notes that occur through the recording, this is the way Bloodworth says it. All good. But whenever a questioner says "Noam" -- most of the material consists of Chomsky's responses to questions, so this happens a lot --it is pronounced, utterly inexplicably, to rhyme with "Nam" just as in "Vietnam". The first time I thought he was just repeating what the person asking the question actually said. But it's done every single time, and I would bet anything this didn't happen in the actual events. And it's irritating every single time. Such an easy thing to get right, and he knows the right way to say it, so why?? Still, this is less offensive that something it really must have been in Bloodworth's control. Questions are asked, as one would imagine, by both men and women. Bloodworth says at the outset that he will identify the questioners by gender, apparently thinking this makes it easier to follow the material. It doesn't, in my opinion, but it's no big deal. Or not at least till you hear how he does this. When a man asks a question, Bloodworth's voice drops in pitch and becomes rather more harsh, sometimes almost gruff. Even more noticeably, when he's relating a woman's question, his voice gets very distinctly higher in pitch and softer, in some cases actually breathy. He delivers, in other words, the quintessential stereotypes of men's and women's speech and, in my opinion, it verges on outright sexism. It certainly gets in the way of paying attention to the content of the questions. Considering what the book is about, one is only left to wonder what Chomsky would think listening to this.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
This book should not be listened to in one sitting, even if it were short enough to do so as a practical matter. There is too much to think about on each of the many topics covered, not only as to what Chomsky is saying, but how his narrative fits in with (or rather contrasts with) what you've heard and read before. Most of the thinking should be "if I'm so moved and/or disturbed by what I've just heard, what could I or should I do about this?"
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- E. Ard
- 16-07-14
Excellent Standalone or as a Supplement
Would you listen to Understanding Power again? Why?
Yes.Noam Chomsky's writings and lectures are filled with an overwhelming number of facts, numbers, and statements. So many, in fact, most of it will never reach your long term memory after just a listen or two. I read the hard copy first. While I don't mind plucking through the pages for a part I want to revisit, this was a much less daunting review that allowed for a cover-to-cover experience.
What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?
Every single aside and footnote could be traced to a real world reality. If he said a corporation wrote a letter asking for something from the government, even if the request seems insane, that letter exists and is available to the public. That is not to say there isn't opinion in here, there is very strong opinion. The facts are immaculate, however.
Which character – as performed by Robin Bloodworth – was your favorite?
Robin Bloodworth performed Chomsky's work throughout. One thing that immediately jumped out to me, having seen or heard some of the lectures, was the difference between inflection and emphasis. I only mention this because I am aware that most who would call themselves Chomsky fans have heard a lot of audio and seen many lectures. I found that Bloodworth's performance evened out Chomsky' and provided consistency to a collection written over such a long period (at 85, he sounds healthy, but obviously different than in his youth) and including diverse formats.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
"And the end result is in fact quite similar: what are called opinions "on the left" and "on the right" in the media represent only a limited spectrum of debate which reflects the range of needs of private power-but there's essentially nothing beyond those "acceptable" positions."
10 people found this helpful