Events Books

As both a teacher of intelligence and national security classes as well as a writer about intelligence, Lathrop's book is only the second indispensable book I have come across. The other is Polmar and Allen's Spy Book.

I have used The Literary Spy in the last four articles or chapters I have published. It not only provides some of the best insights of both scholars and practitioners on a variety of intelligence topics, but it also provides very helpful introductions to each of those topics.

I have even been tempted to use the book as a textbook for a class I teach on intelligence. By the time a student has read through all of the pithy comments on, for example, "Counterintelligence," he or she would have been exposed to the essence of some of the very best writing on that topic.

But the book is most helpful to researchers and writers on intelligence. It is like having one's own miniature Google-like search through the best of intelligence writing in one's own hand. And all of the quotations used are fully documented. I am hooked on it. This volume occupies all too valuable and minimal desk space next to my keyboard and will do so for a long time.

Finally, it is a book that can be read just for the fun of reading. It makes wonderful reading on cold Winter nights or hot Summer evenings. One does not have to be an expert on intelligence to enjoy it.

A majority of Americans do not understand intelligence, given its necessarily sensitive and exclusionary nature. Greater news coverage of the subject, generally in the context of national security issues, does not appear to have enlightened a public that prefers to view things through an increasingly partisan political lens.

For those who do not subscribe to simplistic reductions of the complex ideas surrounding the theory and practice of intelligence, Charles Lathrop has compiled and annotated a solution in the form of The Literary Spy. LitSpy is a collection of over 3,000 quotations, infused with the wit and wisdom of the author. The result is a masterful collection of powerful ideas and observations articulated in a very memorable way.

Examples? The reader is treated to quotes from sources as diverse as the Bible and Socrates to the late Washington Post scribe and perennial CIA critic Mary McGrory. Better still, Lathrop uses his insider access as a CIA officer to provide quotes that we otherwise would not have access to. One especially memorable offer was solicited to the Agency by a dentist offering his services "for the interrogation of anybody you choose" in the wake of the September 11th attacks. Lathrop assures us the individual was not hired, despite the patriotic sentiments expressed in the e-mail.

From a structural standpoint, LitSpy is remarkably user-friendly. Its sixty-five categories of quotations are arranged alphabetically and can be accessed by subject or source index. Lathrop also includes a select bibliography for the reader. While he modestly states that his book "does not pretend to be comprehensive," it is difficult not to marvel at the breadth and depth of effort that went into this magnificent compilation made better by the humorous asides and insightful comments of this former military officer, analyst, speechwriter, and intel boss-jock shop honcho.

This book is for insiders and outsiders, critics and defenders, and should be on the shelf of anyone with any interest in the true nature of intelligence. Lathrop is to be commended for this unique contribution to the field of intelligence literature.

This is a rare type of book--unique, fun, and useful all at the same time. To my knowledge, no other book brings together so many quotes and comments about the world of intelligence. These quotes, along with Mr. Lathrop's comments, provide a guide to how intelligence works--or doesn't work--and will help educate anyone interested in spying and intelligence.

This is more than just another reference book filled with quotes, however. You can open it to any page, start reading, and quickly become engrossed. Soon, I suspect, most readers will find themselves jumping from one subject to another, and writing down titles of books that Lathrop draws from. It's addictive.

Finally, this book is fun. Lathrop has a sly sense of humor, and his quotes often are ironic or just plain funny; he displays a dry wit in his own comments, as well.

Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in intelligence, history, or current events.

I saw this book last night and snapped it up immediately. I have been an intelligence analyst for the government for a long time now, and I love using appropriate quotes to set off reports and presentations. Needless to say, "the Literary Spy" is jam-packed with them.

A few of the quotes aren't that striking, but a lot are. I particularly liked the sections about counterintelligence, deception, and traitors "in their own words."

I think this book is also a good one for the intelligence "buff" as well as people who just like pithy quotations. I imagine students writing papers about espionage would find it very useful as well.

In short, it's worth every penny, and I congratulate the author.

Living It Up At National Review is a memoir by Priscilla L. Buckley, who spent forty-three years as an editor at National Review. The exploits of her brother William F. Buckley among many other "brilliant but highly combustible" characters come alive in this engaging and folksy collection of true tales of daily life amid a national icon of conservatism. An index allows for quick reference in this highly readable and enjoyable reflection on the highs, lows, and weirdness present in the author's remarkable and vivacious working life.

Living It Up At National Review is a memoir by Priscilla L. Buckley, who spent forty-three years as an editor at National Review. The exploits of her brother William F. Buckley among many other "brilliant but highly combustible" characters come alive in this engaging and folksy collection of true tales of daily life amid a national icon of conservatism. An index allows for quick reference in this highly readable and enjoyable reflection on the highs, lows, and weirdness present in the author's remarkable and vivacious working life.

Living It Up At National Review is a memoir by Priscilla L. Buckley, who spent forty-three years as an editor at National Review. The exploits of her brother William F. Buckley among many other "brilliant but highly combustible" characters come alive in this engaging and folksy collection of true tales of daily life amid a national icon of conservatism. An index allows for quick reference in this highly readable and enjoyable reflection on the highs, lows, and weirdness present in the author's remarkable and vivacious working life.

What will we do when the Buckley clan is gone? First John Wayne, then Ronald Reagan, now the Buckleys, WFB and his sister, Priscilla gradually recede from our consciousness, followed ineluctably in time by Paul Harvey we tearfully conclude. Giants all. This book is to be cherished, as with brother Bill's memoir of last year ("And Miles Gone By"), like a strand of hair from a saint; to be pulled out every now and then and pressed to one's heart in longing remembrance of the grandeur that humankind can produce so resplendently every now and again in individuals(as opposed to collectively). Read the book and weep, but with a smile on one's face mirroring the same that radiantly graced it's author's lo these many years.

Soy un estudiante "hispanofil" de la lengua castellana y compró el libro para estudiar/practicar porqué parece ser un libro interesante, sobre cosas actuales, y no tan dificil porque tiene muchos capítulos cortos.

Es, de verdad, muy interesante. A leer el libro es como ver a muchos sitios y actos, en America Latina y el mundo en general, sin viajar, sientado en la silla. Es mejor que las noticias "normales"; muy descriptivo, no es completamente objectivo porque tiene las opiniónes y afecciónes politicas del escritor, y para mi fui muy comodo la posibilidad a leer unos capitulos cada vez.

Voy as comprar más libros de Sr. Jorge Ramos.

Purchased this book and started reading and could not put it down. Very good and coloquial narrative style. Also read Bajo la Mascara from same author, but this is far better,Highly recommend this book.

Congratulations to the author, waiting for the next one.

Iris Sanchez

Another great book by Jorge Ramos. Well written, easy reading, and very informative. He tells it "like it is"...

Yo me identifico mucho con este libro, pues en el, Jorge Ramos habla de la guerra de El salvador y yo siendo Salvadorena recuerdo exactamente todo lo sucedido durante la guerra en mi pais.
Ademas admiro mucho al senor Jorge Ramos.

Len Wood presents Dollars and Sense in a practical manner enabling readers to absorb its content. A must read book for those that "watch" their local governments, school districts and elected officials. Written for fast reading,yet covers the subject matter extensively. If you want to be certain your local government is working at its fullest potential, Dollars & Sense can be a great help to you.

Here is a "no holds barred" approach to describing "real life" shortcomings in handling public finances, and then providing tips to local government policy makers and managers on how to avoid a similiar circumstance.

Len Wood writes from first hand knowledge and experience. He describes the situation; outlines the facts; details the results; and provides the reader with suggestions to lessen financial risk and/or failure in the expenditure of public funds.

While the author's primary target is the newly elected official, the importance of this work to experienced elected and appointed public officals cannot be overstated. No one who has worked in the public sector can peruse this book without saying, "There, but for the grace of God, go I!"

As an elected Treasurer and local government finance director for the past several years, I found this book to be an excellent primer for all elected and appointed officials. The practical advice offered by Mr. Wood is based on his experience and input from his peers and is extremely valuable. The book is written in a very informal and concise way and should be required reading for all elected officials. In fact, I gave this book to each City Council member and they have all indicated that this book provided excellent financial advice.

What a delightful book. The author has presented his subject in an understandable and capitivating manner. He does this by using lots of real life vignettes to make his points. People who want to know what their local officials should and should not be doing will want to read this book.

I am a huge fan of Stephen Elliott's fiction; HAPPY BABY was one of the best novels of 2004. So I was excited to read this and I wasn't disappointed. It's a superb and hilarious account of Elliott's year on the campaign trail, and you don't have to be a politics junkie (I'm certainly not) to find it absolutely charming as well as remarkably insightful and smart about various aspects of American political culture. It's a classic!

This book is a rare treat, a double-secret insider crawl through the wasteland of the presidential election season. Elliott shows us stuff no one else does, from up-close views of the most accomplished paid spokesliars, to the real reasons Kerry won the nomination. Along the way, he steers us, careening, through alternate realities, dozens of funny Eggers-style footnotes, drugs, and compulsive gambling.

I'm not on the same end of the political spectrum as Elliott, but I still enjoyed this book's insights. What I didn't enjoy was the sloppy editing, no doubt resulting from Picador rushing the book out the door in two and a half months. (See misspellings of "Mineta", "signal corps", even the arcade game Pole Position, thought the last is at least understandable.)

Elliott has some great analysis of the PA senatorial race, the youth vote, and more, but shows a strangely innocent naivete on occasion. A few cases in point: 1) He repeatedly calls Bush a liar, without ever specifically naming the lie. Perhaps he means the lack of Iraqi WMDs? But every intelligence agency in the world unanimously believed Iraq had WMDs, meaning Bush was mistaken, not intentionally lying. Sloppy. 2) He shows a fundamental ignorance of how the free market works by not understanding why rents go down when property taxes are cut. 3) He incorrectly states that the NORC analysis showed Gore should have won Florida if all votes were counted, under any standard. Actually, Bush would have won under certain standards where all 3 ballot viewers had to agree on voter intent. At least he correctly lets the Supreme Court off the hook, something many Democrats will never do. 4) He really, really wants universal health insurance, to the point where he says silly things like "Switching to a public system would save a whopping 10 percent in administrative costs, more than enough to offset the expense of universal coverage." Uh huh.

All in all, lots of fun, whether you are a Bush-hating liberal, or just a conservative looking for a tasty bit of schadenfreude.

. . . because Stephen Elliott has written our new campaign classic.

Now, I'm not saying this book isn't full of insight into the theatricality of the political process, or the sycophantic relationship between the mainstream press and the two major parties, or the silliness of the sound byte culture. It is. I promise. It's all there.

But what makes this book sing is the digressions, sometimes personal, sometimes fictional, sometimes incomplete, sometimes written in the first, second, or third person, sometimes funny, sometimes quite sad, sometimes involving sadomasochism, sometimes involving nonsexual love affairs with fellow travelers.

The real protagonist of Looking Forward to It is not John Kerry or Howard Dean or George W. Bush. The real character, the real hero, is Stephen Elliott. And thank God for that.

Okay, that's all. I'm not giving anything else away. Buy this book. Buy it, buy it, buy it!

Stephen Elliot's book is far and away the funniest and most insightful political punditry from the 2004 election. From the rise and fall of Howard Dean to the Republican convention in New York, Elliot doggedly pursues value in stories most reporters don't even recognize. As he crosses the lower 48 by bus, plane and thumb, we are introduced to some of the wisest, most astute political analysts grassroots America has yet uncovered.
I loved this book for the sound byte it isn't.

For anyone interested in world peace, Mary King's book, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr: The Power of Nonviolent Action, is a must read.

In the post cold war era, the battling forces of conflict - war and negotiation - peace have changed. From 1945 to 1990, the United States/Soviet Union standoff shaped public policy. The absence of the super power conflict has created a void and the opportunity for regional controversies has emerged. The essence of Mary King's theme is to utilize the people-based non-violent practices of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. as the major new forces for peace and conciliation.

Mary King's whole background and international experience makes her a unique voice. She cut her teeth in the 1960's in Mississippi, active in America's civil rights batles, working with Julian Bond and Martin Luther King, Jr. From there she has been one of the world's leading spokespersons and activists working on the international scene on behalf of women's rights, civil rights and peace. Her first book on civil rights in Mississippi won the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Journalism.

There are not nearly enough books published in English on the extremely important topic of nonviolent social action. I am a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and realize how very many publications there are that examine all aspects of the use of violence/force in international and inter-group relations. But sadly, few of those books give much sober assessment of the huge limitations there are on the effectiveness of coercion-based actions (e.g. in Kosovo, Bosnia, etc.) This book helps to provide an antidote to that. In addition to giving full descriptions of Gandhi's and Dr. MLK's thinking on the power of nonviolence, the author, Mary King, also provides some fascinating material about the effectiveness of nonviolent acts in more recent struggles.

I have written a regular column on global issues for 'The Christian Science Monitor' for nearly a decade now. In the past couple of years, I have also been blessed by the opportunity to work as a writer with an extremely inspiring group of Nobel Peace laureates, including the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Tutu, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, and others. (Based on that work, I wrote a book called "The Moral Architecture of World Peace: Nobel Laureates Discuss our Global Future".) It was significant that nearly all the laureates I worked with mentioned both Gandhi and Dr. MLK--who was also himself a Nobel Peace Laureate--as prime inspirations in their own work and thinking. So I was looking for one reference book that I could use myself, and to which I could refer readers, that would provide a broad overview of the thinking of those two men. I was delighted to find it in Mary King's book, which ideally should be placed as a source-book in every high-school and community library in the country!

Mary King has woven together photos, quotes and her own reflections in a manner reminiscent of the popular GANDHI THE MAN by Sri Eknath Easwaran. Her subject is broader, however, in that she gives us not only Gandhi and King but some of the more dramatic leaders of nonviolence in the modern world. The need for information and understanding about this subject and these people cannot be overstated. Mary King was superbly qualified to respond to that need, and she has done so beautifully in this volume. I agree with previous reviewers that it should be in the library of every school and college.

At a time when the power of violence appears to be growing and unchallenged, this book provides an important reminder that there ARE alternatives.

Gandhi, King and others demonstrated to the world and to history that non-violence is more powerful than violence, if one has the courage and discipline necessary to apply it. Mary King's book does a better job than any other I've read at laying out this very-human saga. I came to recognize in this book that it is through the diligent and committed work of many unsung people over many decades that these two great leaders were able to make the decisive contributions to humanity that they did. Even though Gandhi had said it many times - that what he did could be done by anyone - one can only truly appreciate this truth when one has the "full story." And Mary King delivers the full story.

I also found the collection of quotes one of the best organized and most useful I've ever seen. Anyone with any level of leadership responsibility in social issues will want this book on their shelf - and in their suitcase.

THE MAIN EVENT IS A GREAT LOOK AT WHEN THE WWE REALLY TOOK OFF IN POPULARITY. THE WWE WENT TO CABLE TV AND WRESTLING TOOK OFF. IT COVERS ALL THE WRESTLEMANIAS, MEN'S WOMEN'S AND TAG TEAM CHAMPS ALONG WITH ALL THE MANY WRESTLERS WHO HELP MADE THE WWE SO POPULAR BACK IN THE 80'S. FROM ROWDY RODDY, HULKSTER, STUDD AND ANDRE IT'S ALL HERE IN THIS BOOK. MANY OF THE SUPERSTARS ARE GIVEN A 2 OR 3 PAGE DETAILED LOOK AT THEIR CAREER AND WHERE THEY ARE NOW. I WANTED MORE AFTER I READ THIS. I REALLY ENJOYED THE NOSTALGIA IT BROUGHT BACK ESPECIALLY THE MR T AND CYNDY LAUPER HYPE IT BROUGHT BACK IN THE MID 80'S. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FOR ALL WRESTLING FANS. A GREAT BUY.

Shields' book is really informative and entertaining. It's filled with pictures and stories behind the stories.
It begins with a chronology, encompassing great photos and events for for easy reference.
A great gift for anybody interested in wrestling.

Ive yet to read the whole book, but ive skimmed thru it and bought it right away. The book is an amazing weatlh of info of the WWE in the 80's. They however, do not have any color photos which seems odd. I hope they do a book on wrestling in the 90's as a follow up.

If you have a young fan in your life that doesn't know a lot about the 1980s WWF, this is a perfect little item to give them. The WWE went into detail to try and give a pefect summary of all of the major stars that helped defined the decade, point out major angles and title changes. This book and WWE Legends are two must haves if you're just getting into watching the exciting action that takes place on WWE Programing every Monday, Tuesday and Friday Nights

This is an excellent book about how specific corporations, individuals and both European and African rulers have plundered Africa for profit and the accumulation of private fortunes on the backs of millions of Africans who have been slaughtered over the centuries. Some of the individuals have passed into the history books, but some of the corporations and individuals are still very much in the news today and the world still waits for their atonement. Madelaine Drohan has provided a very courageous addition to the literature in the area by in-the-field research in some of the most dangerous places in Africa and written in most detailed and compelling manner.

What happens when multinational corporations decide that the use of armed force is really business? When companies line up with warlords and armies to make a profit? When corporate interests dictate war or peace? Madelaine Drohan's meticulously researched and impressively wrfitten expose, Making A Killing, shows just what happens in a world of multinational power, drawing important connections between corporate armed forces and history and providing food for thought for corporations, policy makers and national leaders alike -- the result is an intriguing, eye-opening discussion.

Drohan cover a number of specifc cases of corporations using violence to further their interests - dedicating a chapter to each case. She makes no effort to be a comprehensive compendium of all the ills perpetrated by corporations, instead choosing to focus on a few prime examples in detail where her experiences as a journalist can bring some perspective to each case.

My own particular interest is around the role of Calgary-based Talisman Energy Inc. in Sudan. The chapter on Talisman was solid and insightful, with Drohan drawing from her own experiences in Sudan and interviews with key players, as well as the volumes of research and reports available.

The book is a telling study of the irresponsible extremes corporations can go to in their simple-minded focus on profit as the only goal.

Resource control is the core of Madelaine Drohan's book. Where the image of empire was once faceless armies, religious zealots or expanding trade, modern conditions have changed this view. Instead of governments launching empires, suit-clad businessmen now decide where the action lies. Decisions to exploit resource areas are not made in ministry offices, but in corporate boardrooms. Businessmen, "and they are almost always men", choose locations, make investments, recruit workers and begin operations. Until there is unrest. Then they call in governments to support their enterprise. If governments cannot or will not respond, the entrepreneur's answer is the "private army". Mercenary professional military men act as "security" teams, policemen or replacement armies. And they are accountable to no-one but the firm that has hired them.

Drohan's account begins with the rule of Cecil Rhodes "who stands head and shoulders above" the ranks of those applying military solutions to "corporate problems". Rhodes built an immense resource empire in Southern Africa. He also set the standard for controlling workers as firmly as he did markets. By the expedient of raising a battalion of "pioneers" to deal with reluctant African peoples and recalcitrant workers, Rhodes expanded his holdings to an unprecedented degree. Attributing his goals to the furtherance of the British Empire, he also ensured the continuation of profits to his own pocket. Belgium's king Leopold followed Rhodes' example by keeping the Congo as a personal fief. The Belgian government was simply shunted aside on imperial affairs for decades. The rape of the Congo is a glaring example of imperialism run rampant, yet it set the stage for what followed.

Drohan's narrative is dominated by personalities. Like a gaggle of rapacious ravens, men prominent in resource enterprise descended on Africa after Rhodes. Some of these were British, some Canadian, but others arose from among Africa's own peoples. These last were flexing political and economic muscle as former colonies became independent. These new nations, with their artificial boundaries laid down irrespective of tribal or ethnic limits, became caught up in internal regional disputes. Resource firms played off these rivalries to their advantage where possible. If contests for power became too heated, the companies had the option to withdraw or find ways of protecting their investments. Protection was provided by "security forces" available for hire. Among the most notorious of these was the South African firm, Executive Outcomes. Staffed by disaffected South African soldiers, it offered services directly or through hidden subsidiaries. Executive Outcomes emerges frequently, if often vaguely, as Drohan valiantly tries to unravel the machinations the firm and its customers perpetrated as gold, diamonds and other resources were sought and exploited. Legality is an elusive term in these activities.

These are not distant and unrelated events. We tend to cling to the image of investment benefiting all - the theme of "globalisation". Drohan demonstrates how firms, pursuing resource wealth in Africa, have followed the Rhodes formula for success. Whether hiring private armies or simply requesting local government forces to act in their interests, resource firms are steadfastly ignoring the impact on local people and their economy. Of all Drohan's examples, the most glaring is the Talisman Energy story. Her chapter on this operation is at once the worst and the best example in the book. Talisman, a latecomer to Africa, seems to have learned nothing from previous resource history in the region. As Drohan describes it, Jim Buckee, Talisman's head, followed a sinuous path trying to keep his firm active in the resource field. With one eye open to profits and the other closed to government activities done in the name of "security" for his operations, Buckee brought his firm close to disaster. On the other hand, the case demonstrated the power of the public in bringing such firms to judgment. Various large stockholders, chastened at the thought of supporting a firm blind to the impact of its operations, withdrew investment. It's a fine example of what individuals can achieve in acting collectively.

Drohan's book is a much needed exposure of business morals left unscrutinised. In her final chapter, "Perfectly Legal, Perfectly Immoral", she shows the path to justice for people under oppressive regimes shored up by rapacious businesses is long and difficult. Yet, if readers pay attention, she shows how they can be effective in making change. With a federal election looming, it would benefit electors to read this book and reflect on its message. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

I have done my homework and this author is right on target. It is easy to read and each page gets better. I would like to see more about the Muslims in our country and more organizations that are corrupt. KEEP WRITING 'GEORGE'.

I have never heard of this author but I picked up his book and all I can say is WOW. I never knew half of what American organizations and government have been hiding. You won't hear this stuff with the public media. Every American needs to read this. Keep writing.

Wow, Mr. Autry doesn't hold anything back in this book. He throws out all political correctness and tells it like it is. I truly believe that he puts into words what the majority of this country feels. This book is sure to be extremely controversial and the Liberal Nut-Jobs will go crazy when they read this.

Mr. Autry tackles everything from Islamic Radicals to Media Bias and pretty much everything else that drives most of us crazy.

If you want to read a "no spin" book, this is a good one to get.

Wow, Mr. Autry doesn't hold anything back in this book. He throws out all political correctness and tells it like it is. I truly believe that he puts into words what the majority of this country feels. This book is sure to be extremely controversial and the Liberal Nut-Jobs will go crazy when they read this.

Mr. Autry tackles everything from Islamic Radicals to Media Bias and pretty much everything else that drives most of us crazy.

If you want to read a "no spin" book, this is a good one to get.

This documentary is a reasonable exposition of Chomsky's views. For those unfamiliar with Chomsky's (and Edward Herman's) propaganda model, this film is highly recommended. Those already conversant with Chomsky will probably revel in the extension of his ideas to real Living Color (those who agree with him anyway). However, I have one complaint: the propaganda system is complicated, and the film seems to take a dive on the specifics instead of dealing with its essential details. The failure to explicate what exactly Chomsky means when he speaks of "thought control in a democratic society" allows the pejorative claim that his ideas are "conspiratorial" to seep into the argument. Tom Wolfe scoffingly impugns what he calls, "the cabal"- I doubt he's actually read Chomsky. Anyone who understands the propaganda model, even if they fervently deny its existence, realizes that it is not worthy of "conspiracy theory" derision. The film would have done well to debunk this myth.

The other flaw as I see is the focus on Chomsky's background and personal life, which are superfluous to the film's main message and inconsistent with Chomsky's own feelings about celebrity.

As you can imagine, the film is rather one-sided in favor of Chomsky's views. Once you've seen this, it's absolutely imperative to read "Necessary Illusions", "Manufacturing Consent", and even some of Chomsky's other books- "The Washington Connection" and "Rouge States" are recommended. Also of note is that Chomsky may be Godfather of media criticism, but others including Nancy Snow and Michael Parenti have written well on the subject.

This book is much more than a simple transcript of the documentary of the same name, it also offers a lot of information and excerpts from interviews with and writings by Noam Chomsky not included in the film. It is a very wonderfully put together book. This might be the best introduction to Chomsky's thought around. and the philosopher all star trading cards in the back of the book are a great idea. Plus, it really looks good on the coffee table.

"While the film has met with large-scale success throughout much of the world, it is as a book that Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media is most useful. A virtual transcript of the film, it also includes a range of other materials--extended extracts from Chomsky's writings, reviews of those writings, interviews and a variety of novelty items, from comic strips through to a set of "Philosopher all-Star" trading cards attached to the spine. Through these, the emphasis on Chomsky's personality with marks the film (and about which Chomsky himself was concerned) is diminished, and the result is a highly skimmable guide to Chomsky's political ideas, the controversies in which he has been embroiled, and the notoriously thorny question of the relationship between his political and linguistic ideas. It is, perhaps, too fragmentary and montage-like in its organization to serve as a course text, but as a distillation of one important current within Western radical thought it is extremely useful."

Will Straw,
Canadian Journal of Communication

Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media is the essential companion book to the celebrated philosophical documentary film of the same name which was released in 1993.

Noam Chomsky followers and all free thinkers who have seen the film (and those who have not) owe it to themselves to get a copy of this provocative book and discover the incredible depth and lucidity of Chomsky's thought and ideas which address the most important moral, ethical, political and social issues of our time.

The book contains a complete transcript of the film, with 300 stills illustrating the text, as well as copious excerpts from Chomsky's writings, interviews and other sources. The side-bar rich format of the book is well designed in that it allows one to follow the sometimes fast pace of the documentary's narrative while providing well chosen excerpts from Chomsky's writings that enrich and elucidate the topics presented in the film.

Like the film, this book will hold your attention, and you will find yourself returning again and again to explore the political life and times of the controversial author, linguist, and radical philosopher Noam Chomsky. I would highly recommend this book both to the seasoned reader of Chomsky's work and as a very approachable introduction for the first time reader to this authors intellectually potent thought.