Hegemony or Survival

America's Quest for Global Dominance

By: Noam Chomsky

Narrated by: Brian Jones, Noam Chomsky

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

For more than half a century, the United States has been pursuing a grand imperial strategy with the aim of staking out the globe. Our leaders have shown themselves willing, as in the Cuban missile crisis, to follow the dream of dominance no matter how high the risks. Now the Bush administration is intensifying this process, driving us toward the final frontiers of imperial control, toward a choice between the prerogatives of power and a livable Earth. Noam Chomsky investigates how we came to this moment, what kind of peril we find ourselves in and why our rulers are willing to jeopardize the future of our species.

Lucid, rigorous and thoroughly documented, Hegemony or Survival is Chomsky's most urgent and sweeping work in years. Certain to spark widespread debate, it is a definitive statement from one of the world's most influential political thinkers.

©2003 Aviva Chomsky, Diane Chomsky, Harry Chomsky (P)2003 Audio Renaissance

Critic reviews

"Judged in terms of the power, range, novelty, and influence of his thought, Noam Chomsky is arguably the most important intellectual alive." (The New York Times)
"In this highly readable...critique of American foreign policy from the late 1950s to the present...Chomsky brings together many themes he has mined in the past, making this cogent and provocative book an important addition to an ongoing public discussion about U.S. policy." (Publishers Weekly)

A must read

I probably would not have been writing this review if there had been no intervention by CIA with the democratically elected government of Mossadegh in Iran in the 1950's. I immigrated here from Iran. Imagine, a democratic Iran...overthrown by help of CIA. When you read this book, you learn of all the other interventions by US across the globe. I really wish that people who attack this book are right...but history is behind Mr. Chomsky.

Worth reading, though taken with a grain of salt

Even though the general concepts are worthwhile, there is a paranoiac tone to this read (maybe the voice of the reader doesn't help) which casts a shadow of doubt on the book. Also is makes it sound like there has been a overall plan by Reagan, the Bushes and Clinton, which seems a bit far fetched. It probably gives the government too much credit.

Thought there have been economical forces behind many of the decisions. However, this is nothing new and the US has been trying to increase its hegemony since it coming out of isolation after WWII. Specially in Latin America which it considers its back yard.

Really liked all the quotes of George Kennan, though brilliant and glad to learn that he is still alive, doubt that those quotes were intended to be used as in this book. Regardless of Kennan's brilliance, he came to notice after his theory of containment, and has been known as a Soviet expert. Also claims that there wasn't an accord not to invade Cuba, thought Kissinger reports otherwise. One would probably get more out of reading Kennan and Kissinger than this book, since even though not as current give more insight and understanding of what goes on in the government. Maybe in 30 years or so we might get something equivalent on this era.

Saying No to Noam

Noam Chomsky is probably a brilliant intellectual, brilliant enough to draw amazingly ludicrous conclusions about the world today and America's role in the world. Chomsky has spent his entire life in the academic world and has a rather distorted view of the real world. Perhaps Neville Chamberlain was one of Noam's heroes. Don't waste your time on this one. Hegemony??? Give me a break.

Interesting to see what liberals really think

This is a book for everyone who hates America. If you think that we are a force for evil around the world and that we either do things for our own economic self-interests and create problems by a short-sighted foreign policy or an arrogant gung-ho attitude that does not take into account the long terms consequences or the viewpoints of the people that we are bringing freedom and democracy to, then this book is for you. If you love America, love God, love freedom and believe in the prophecies of Revelation and are looking for life everlasting, read this book, if only to realise that we have enemies within our country that spread lies and deceit. If you want to read the truth about what is happening in the world read the bible.

A Contest In Speed-reading?

What disappointed you about Hegemony or Survival?

Noam Chomsky is one of my favorite authors/philosophers, but the reader butchered this book; apparently, trying to read an eight hour book in ten minutes, he is testing his speed-reading skills to the point one can't even follow, much less comprehend the message.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I din't make it to the ending - terrible reading.

How could the performance have been better?

SLOW DOWN!

What character would you cut from Hegemony or Survival?

The audible reader

Any additional comments?

You're much better off reading this on your own

Extremely disappointed

I read this book to find out how the Europeans view the actions of our government, particularly the opponents of the Bush Doctrine. I extremely disappointed by this book. Instead of aj organized focused presentation of facts, I found inflammatory rhetoric without sufficient presented support. Sadly, I learned nothing by reading this book.

An old whining Socialist

If you hate the USA you are just going to love this dribble! The author is the father of the "Hate America" crowd.

Poor content and not well read.

Great book, atrocious formatting.

Chomsky is a legend. Find another way to read this book. The chapters are not aligned, they are divided at entirely random places.

Great Leftist blame America first rhetoric

If you hate this country and want to listen to others of the same mind set then this is a fantastic book! Otherwise Treason by Ann Coulter would be a better suggestion.

Disappointed

I've read several short things published by the author online and, as a respected professor at M.I.T., found them thoughtful and interesting. But not this rant. Comments of others, here, online and in the press have all been equally disturbing to me.

I'm not "liberal," "libertarian," or "conversative" and strongly dislike political labels. Dr. Chomsky clearly does not share my view.

Whether it be the economy, environment, education, or other concerns there seems to be no middle ground any more. Historically this is not true of America. We've always differed, but have historically found a way to resolve differencers, with "liberal" and "conservative" cycles here and there, but no really dramatic swings in either direction.

But the times they are a changing.

Now we have Dr. Chomsky, Russ Limbaugh and the like and everyone chooses his "true believer," dutifully lines up behind them, always blocking out the "bad" news TV channels or websites, minds closed and in lock step.

I've tried to listen to this book twice from the beginning and never gotten beyond the first fifteen minutes. I've also tried to start out in the middle somewhere with the same result. This book disturbs me like true believers like Russ Limbaugh. We must label and belittle our "enemies" in order to shine the light to the correct path.

I've tried to listen and understand whiy I see so many references to this book. It's been a very frustrating experience all around. I read (not listen to) several dozen books each year and often find them bland and boring, but rarely am I ever as frustrated as I've been with this book.

Beware those who engender only love or hate. This book is supposed to propose ideas which end the cycle of religious wars, racial strife, wars based on economics, and all the other foolish acts of humanity throughout history. Instead it finds a way to engender a new kind of polarization. Richard Nixon had an "enemies list. So does Dr. Chomsky.