Rating: 
Summary: Good introductory for the novice Chomsky reader.
Review: I am a big fan of Chomsky and I have read many of his books. I just thought that this book was a hurried publication. And therefore, it lacked depth and/or analysis that I've become accustomed to in his books. Although for someone who truly believed that the US engage in wars only to help the poor of the world and to bring peace and justice and freedom , this book is a waker-upper. It will serve as a good introductory book for the American who is not satisfied by the answer they got from the mainstream media(Dan Rather,Friedman,Charlie Rose) that 9/11 happened because those people are jealous of what we have.
So if you've never read Chomsky before. This book is an excellent starter. If you own at least 2 or 3 books of Chomsky on the middle east, this book isn't necessary.
Rating: 
Summary: Controversy or Common Sense?
Review: I was particularly anxious to read this book after observing the controversy pertaining to it. An iconoclastic leftist journalist-author attacked Chomsky for softness toward what he termed Islamic terrorist fascism, contending that the MIT linguist was in a sense apologizing for 9-11 by contending that it occurred as a result of U.S. policies.Chomsky begins by pointing out that 9-11 placed America, for the first time, in the same position it was in 1812, when it last faced a direct attack from an enemy force on its own shores. In the earlier instance the invading force was the British army. He then makes a prescient point, delivering a fervent hope that the U.S. would not fall into the trap of responding with such overwhelming military force that the minions of Ossama bin Laden would derive a propaganda benefit. Regrettably the response was not as precisely targeted as should have been the case. Whereas 3,000 lives were lost as a result of 9-11, some 3,500 Afghan peasants died during the American bombing campaign. In addition, many other Afghans flooded the Pakistan border in the wake of the firepower, creating a refugee tragedy as the number soared to one million. Chomsky also mentions the tragic element of blowback, in this instance relating directly to bin Laden. Following the dangerous doctrine of "The enemy of my enemy is my friend," the United States initially under Jimmy Carter and later, with great gusto, under Ronald Reagan, provided Afghan rebels with stinger missiles, which led to shooting down Russian planes, which ultimately led to the moderate Soviet-backed regime being supplanted by Islamic extremist forces, and finally the Taliban. Bin Laden was vigorously involved in that campaign as a field commander and was aided directly by the CIA. Would it not have been better to stay out of the conflict? Was a Russian-supported government not infinitely better than the fiery dragon which ultimately emerged? Chomsky constantly hits the note that what is needed to defeat murderous terrorism is international cooperation, pointing to the cowboy antics in Nicaragua where, amid death squads, drugs, and runaway CIA activity, President Reagan referred to the murdering Contras as "the moral equivalent of the Founding Fathers."
Rating: 
Summary: A Collection of Good Thoughts Shoved Down Your Throat
Review: This book is a series of softball questions seemingly designed for Chomsky to belt out of the political ballpark where well constructed "answers" are a means of pushing his political agenda which paints the government as nefarious evil doers while casually shrugging off critics as "idiotic" or "laughable". This is Noam Chomsky. So why do I rate this book 4 stars? I do so because I have to be honest with anyone who is going to read this review. I will always contend that delivery is a large part of any book. Because of the delivery, this is a 4 star book and not a 5 star book. But it doesn't take away from the underlying message which Chomsky tries to send. What is that message? Anyone familiar with Chomsky will know that his ultimate message is this. Motives and actions of the US government are frequently underhanded and inhumanitarian. He contends that our government routinely practices terrorism (government defined) and that major media outlets ignore the reality of how our government operates in various theaters of the world. Chomsky's message, despite his delivery, is one that is often hard to counter and lined with truth. The hard part about reading this book is that Chomsky demands you believe him 100% and dismisses any disagree with him as uneducated, uncaring, or evil. I think it's easy to see Chomsky as an anti-rhetoric rhetoric machine. In an effort to counter the rhetoric of the US government, he does that which he criticizes. The government says "war" and Chomsky says "slaughter". He practices what he claims to despise. A second Chomsky flaw is hand waving off counter arguments. Instead of attempting to debate an argument, he points to other texts and claims that the proof is there. Instead of attempting to take on issues head-to-head, he bobs and weaves with vague references which are not readily available to the reader. My third complaint with Chomsky is his insistence that he knows the unknowable. In one instance he says the government has a "program of silent" genocide. Additionally, through the book he states (as fact) what Bin Laden wants to come of the 9-11 attacks, while later claiming there is no proof Bin Laden was involved. Alluding to these facts instead of calling them what they are, namely opinions and speculation, is what he builds many of his points on; points which rest on a suspect foundation. My basic problem with him is that despite it all, this is still a very good book. Chomsky is a good thinker. He is well read, well informed, and sometimes well spoken. He doesn't need to resort to these tactics, yet he does. Chomsky is like a teenager in his maturity level at times, belittling those who don't agree with him and hand waving his way through topics by saying things are so obvious it's foolish to bother explaining. What is good about this book again? Now to some of those points I refer to when I claim he does have a good message beneath the childish rhetoric. Considering the time frame, a mere 7 days after 9-11, Chomsky correctly predicts that Israel would eventually use the Bush anti-terrorist rhetoric to step through a huge hole opened when he declared countries as either with or against the US. In understanding the element involved here, Chomsky also suggests we should strive to apprehend the wrongdoers and attempt to comprehend the forces at play. When Chomsky says we should try to, "Understand and address the cause," I'm right there with him. Additionally, he elucidates a great thought which entails the continued oppression by the US and Israel of Iraqi and Palestinian people, respectively. In continuing these oppressive actions, many people look at the US and the Israel with disdain. When Bin Laden speaks out against these acts of oppression, even those who hate Bin Laden identify with him. His latching on to these key points, and the US government's continued actions to support what he says, rally a large part of the Arab world against the US. These are the points that Chomsky brings to light. Similarly, when people, no matter how hated by society, speak out against the US bombing of a Sudanese pharmaceutical plant - the same plant that supplied half the country with its medication - people listen and begin to foster strong hate towards the US. The book helps in giving you a better understanding and perspective of US actions and their consequences. What would US citizens think if they knew what our government was doing in various arenas of the world? Again, it goes back to trying to understand the impetus for 9-11. Chomsky reminds you of the question which occasionally plagues you. Why do we support Saudi Arabia, the center for much of this anti-American sentiment? Why did we support Iraq in the 80's? The Mujahadin in the 80's? Chomsky's point is this. Why do we stop asking these questions even though we know what the answers are? Back to Chomsky. Yes, he is unobjective. He will never present the reader with a balanced picture. Yes, he selectively looks at history through his one-eyed microscope to prove his point, even drawing on history 40 years past to support anti-US opinions of today. And yes, he will beat his selfish "I am right you are stupid" drum incessantly. But the reality is this. When you cut through all of this, his message is clear and hard to refute. It's not a rosy picture out there, just beyond the fingertips of what you can see, hear, and read every day in the media. The citizens of this country are implicitly supporting these atrocities that go on in the world by not questioning them. And in his petulant and annoying manner, Chomsky reminds you what the questions are and why you should be asking them. I clearly recommend reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Read it.
Review: Quite simply, unless you read Chomsky, you cannot possibly be fully appraised of what is occuring around the world particularly in regards to the role of America. 9-11 offers a much needed elucidation of the United States' barbaric foreign policy that precipitated the equally barbaric attacks on New York and Washington. The book is comprised of a series of interviews conducted in the weeks following September 11 . This informal approach allows Chomsky to present his ideas with passion and clarity and makes for a compelling and insightful read. Chomsky, whilst condemning that attacks, correctly points out that the United States has itself for decades, been actively involved in sponsoring and supporting terrorism, citing such well known examples as Nicaragua, Angola, Iraq, El Salvador, Chile and the Clinton administrations despicable bombing of the Al Shifa factory in the Sudan which for the most part has been ignored by the mainstream media. Indeed in the case of Nicaragua , the US became the only nation to be charged with "terrorism" by the UN.(A charge which they vetoed whilst subsequently escalating the destruction of that country). When one considers the amount of lives that have been lost at the hands of American policy in the Middle East alone, then the attacks of September 2001, can hardly be deemed unprovoked let alone unexpected. He rightly concludes that until the Bush administration and the nation at large, recognises the hypocrisy in which the United States indulges, there will be no resolution of any kind. Critics of Chomsky repeatedly state that he is biased in the presentation of his ideas. I fail to see how this line of argument can be maintained. One can not dispute the numerous damning indictments of the United States' blood stained hegemony and the appeasement with which it is met domestically. 9-11 is the most accurate, most intelligent discussion of the events of September 11 2001 and the circumstances that surround it.
Rating:
Summary: HATRED OF OUR GOVERNMENT IS NOT HATRED OF OUR COUNTRY
Review: Before I review this book I'd like to say a word about some of the other reviews. Many people seem to confuse Doctor Chomsky's indictment of the government with his love of our country. It is ironic that so many "Americans" can confuse our right to criticize our government with being anti-american. There is nothing MORE American than reflecting upon our own policies and actions and speaking out when we disagree with any of them. It is disgusting to me that "americans" view anything that disagrees with or criticizes U.S. government policies as "anti-American". Jingoism is alive and well even though most "Americans" would have to look up its meaning. As always Dr. Chomsky cuts right to the heart of the matter. While acknowledging the horror and tradegy of human death (Americans and non-Americans)caused by terrorism, he points out correctly that the U.S. is the world leader in terrorism and is therefore hypocritical in its rant against the "evil" terrorists around the world. Is it possible that so many Americans have neither read nor understood Orwell's 1984? I think it likely! Once again, thank you Dr. Chomsky. Like yourself I love America but despise the un-American men representing her.
Rating:
Summary: Chomsky on 9/11
Review: Though I've never really much much of a fan of Chomsky's interview based works, I felt the need to read this with an open mind. Based entirely around the terrorist attacks of 9/11 this was really the first (and thus far only) critical work which put the blame upon the United States as well as those who carried out the attacks, namely one Usama bin Ladin. Throughout this book containing mostly interviews conducted via email following the 9/11 attacks Chomsky gives us a deeper look at the roots of the terrorist attacks, and their significance upon the whole of global politics as well as economics. Never one to stop speaking his mind Chomsky lays out in detail the reasoning, the significance and most importantly why something such as "terrorism" cannot be beaten with military action. I highly recommend this book to anyone who sees the 9/11 attacks from something other than the vengeful retribution of most patriotic Amerikans.
Rating:
Summary: Understanding not moralizing
Review: The worst thing to do apropos of the events of September 11 is to elevate them to a point of Absolute Evil, a vacuum which cannot be explained. To posit them - as some have done - in a series with Shoah is a blasphemy: the Shoah was committed in a methodical way by a vast network of state apparatchiks and their executors who, in contrast to the bombers of the WTC towers,lacked the suicidal acceptance of their own death - as Hannah Arendt made it clear, they were anonymous bureaucrats doing their job, and an enormous gap separated what they did from their individual self-experience. This "banality of Evil" is missing in the case of the terrorist attacks: they fully assumed the horror of their acts, this horror is part of the fatal attraction which draws them towards commiting them. Or, to put it in a slightly different way:
the Nazis did their job of "solving the Jewish question" as an obscene secret hidden from the public gaze, while the terrorists heroically and display the spectacle of their act. The second difference is that the Shoah was a part of EUROPEAN history, it was an event which does NOT concern directly the relationship between Muslims and Jews: remember Sarajevo which had by far the largest Jewish community in ex-Yugoslavia, and, on the top of it, was the most cosmopolitan Yugoslav city, the thriving center of cinema and rock music - why? Precisely because it was the Muslim dominated city, where the Jewish and Christian presence was tolerated, in contrast to the Christian-dominated large cities from which Jews and Muslims were purged long ago. Why should the New York catastrophe be in any way privileged over, say, the mass slaughter of Hutus by Tutsis in Ruanda in 1999? Or the mass bombing and gas-poisoning of Kurds in the north of Iraq in the early 1990s? Or the Indonesian forces' mass killings in East Timor? Or... the list of the countries where the mass suffering was and is incomparably greater than the one in New York, but which do not havethe luck to stand in the focus so as to be elevated by the media into the sublime victim of Absolute Evil, is long, and therein resides the point: if one insists on the use of this term, these are all "Absolute Evils.
Rating:
Summary: If you hate Amerika, you'll love this book.
Review: Yes, Noam Chomsky has completely marginalized himself with his previous works. Only the most radical, anti-amerika leftist would dare utter Chomsky's name in debate. However, I feel that with this book, a clearer picture is painted of Amerikan foreign policy. Yes, there is a vast and growing anti-western movement in the Muslim word. There are millions of Muslims now who would praise Allah for the chance of blowing up amerikan women
and children. Why? Because Islam is mostly a death-cult in the middle east? Read Noam Chomsky's latest work for a better answer.
Rating: 
Summary: Earth to Noam!
Review: Why is America hated in the Islamic world? What's the better explanation: US foreign policy or simply envy and bitterness? Chomsky should read a little Victor Davis Hanson and get a grip on reality.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Chomsky
Review: For me, Chomsky always satisfies. This is a great little book worth the few hours it takes to read. I hope that Chomsky will eventually come out with a major work on the causes of the 9/11 tragedy.
Even if you dont agree with his conclutions, he is (unfortunately) one of the few critics of the american administration.
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