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craftysilicate's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
The number of different ways that direct quotes are formatted/indicated in this book is both extremely confusing and deeply irritating.
ronanmcd's review against another edition
5.0
Not sure i agree with his linguistics, but i don't have the expertise. It just seems to me that he doesn't prove that the intrinsic structure of language is received biology.
The politics i completely agree with.
But that's Chomsky, to review the book itself: it's excellent. Chomsky's oeuvre is enormous, this is a good start
The politics i completely agree with.
But that's Chomsky, to review the book itself: it's excellent. Chomsky's oeuvre is enormous, this is a good start
tacuazin's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this book because I wanted to know more about Chomsky's works in linguistics, without realizing it would also include his political writings. That was a bonus, and I'm grateful. I also thought the graphic format would be helpful to understand better a field I find fascinating, chewing down to layman's terms the obvious complexity of linguistics theory. I was wrong. I'll try wikipedia next time.
On the plus side, I found the part of Chomsy as social critic way more understandable and, in a way, relatable.
"You cannot force people to obey by violence, as the Soviet system tried to do. So you need systems of indoctrination to ensure that they agree to what the ruling groups want to do". A terrifying reality.
I learned this book was initially published in 1997 under the title Chomsky for Beginners, with several reimpressions. Well, the world is not a better place -politically speaking- 26 years later, and his opinions on capitalism, class, liberalism and whatnot are more relevant than ever.
Talking about the unions: "The most effective democratizating force in such society is the labour movement. You can measure the strength of this democratic force by the sustained, sophisticated and often violent efforts to control or destroy it altogether."
On the plus side, I found the part of Chomsy as social critic way more understandable and, in a way, relatable.
"You cannot force people to obey by violence, as the Soviet system tried to do. So you need systems of indoctrination to ensure that they agree to what the ruling groups want to do". A terrifying reality.
I learned this book was initially published in 1997 under the title Chomsky for Beginners, with several reimpressions. Well, the world is not a better place -politically speaking- 26 years later, and his opinions on capitalism, class, liberalism and whatnot are more relevant than ever.
Talking about the unions: "The most effective democratizating force in such society is the labour movement. You can measure the strength of this democratic force by the sustained, sophisticated and often violent efforts to control or destroy it altogether."
saif42's review against another edition
2.0
I got this hoping to understand Chomskys politics but I ended up understanding Chomskys work as a linguist instead. The political views are tucked away at the end, not really much depth to them unfortunately. I did like that they noted how influenced he was politically by Dewey, and the Dewey quotes sprinkled in were alright.
Interesting way to view language and knowledge, fascinating and as cutting edge now as when Chomsky cooked up these theories on language and the brain, but ultimately not political in nature so I guess maybe put that on the cover next time.
Interesting way to view language and knowledge, fascinating and as cutting edge now as when Chomsky cooked up these theories on language and the brain, but ultimately not political in nature so I guess maybe put that on the cover next time.
vankouseonfrostification's review against another edition
5.0
A clear,condensed explanation of Chomsky's linguistics.
The section on his politics provides an insightful critique of capitalism and American policy.
The section on his politics provides an insightful critique of capitalism and American policy.
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