• Necessary Illusions

  • Thought Control in Democratic Societies
  • By: Noam Chomsky
  • Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
  • Length: 18 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (88 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Necessary Illusions  By  cover art

Necessary Illusions

By: Noam Chomsky
Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $29.95

Buy for $29.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

In his 1988 CBC Massey Lecture, Noam Chomsky inquires into the nature of the media in a political system where the population cannot be disciplined by force and thus must be subjected to more subtle forms of ideological control. Specific cases are illustrated in detail, using the U.S. media primarily but also media in other societies. Chomsky considers how the media might be democratized (as part of the general problem of developing more democratic institutions) in order to offer citizens broader and more meaningful participation in social and political life.

©1989 Noam Chomsky (P)2014 Audible Inc.

What listeners say about Necessary Illusions

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    60
  • 4 Stars
    13
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    6
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    48
  • 4 Stars
    17
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    6
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    53
  • 4 Stars
    11
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    4

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Seminal work ruined by a terrible performance.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'd recommend a paper version. The audio book's narrator will put anyone to sleep. Slow. Inexpressive.

Would you recommend Necessary Illusions to your friends? Why or why not?

The contents of the book, yes. Paper version.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kevin Stillwell?

Anyone else! Robin Bloodworth did a great job with Noam's work. I'd recommend Robin to redo all of the Chomsky's books on Audible.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It's hard to say. The book was nigh unbearable to watch. Buying the paper version.

Any additional comments?

Kevin Stillwell does no favors to Chomsky's work.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Challenging even for radical minds

Every so often I come across a book that changes the way I see the world. I'm still seeing the same things in the media, but now I have a constant awareness of the potential missing facts in a story. It won't eliminate the box, but it should help you think outside of it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Where do we go from here??

Love this book, the information sheds light on the Empire of the US, and how this pseudo-democracy uses clandestine activity to remain an empire without competition. Stifling those who speak out against the US. Destroying communities, countries and indigenous people in the name of “spreading Freedom and Democracy” when in truth, only exploiting human beings and our environment, enslaving humanity to more and more technology and confining us to toxicity on all levels...
As a member of the masses.... When will enough be enough???

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

This book IS THOUGHT CONTROL..

Any additional comments?

The author is using thought shaping to channel you to his interpretations of events given in this book. It is not an objective analysis of the events or times in history covered. The author has an obvious bias.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!