Chronicles of Dissent: Interviews with David Barsamian

These interviews with Chomsky, conducted between 1984 and 1991, focus almost exclusively on the noted linguist's controversial political views. This volume is thus a good introduction to his political thought for those who are intimidated by his densely argued, exhaustively footnoted essays and books. The discussions range all over world history, from Columbus to the Gulf War, but they return repeatedly to certain pet topics--Israel as U.S. client-state, the perversion of language by propaganda, the pervasiveness of American imperialist designs and the complicity of a large sector of the intelligentsia and media in those machinations. By its very nature, the book is a bit repetitive, and Chomsky's wit, though considerable, runs toward a sarcasm that becomes wearying over nearly 400 pages. What sets this book apart from Chomsky's other writings are the passages in which he relates his political ideas to his childhood and youth in New York and Philadelphia--a refreshing dip into autobiography by an otherwise impersonal observer. (Jan.)