Pirates and Emperors, Old and New: International Terrorism in the Real World

by Noam Chomsky

Book Overview

A brilliant account of the workings of state terrorism by the world's foremost critic of U.S. Imperialism. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0896086852
• ISBN13: 9780896086852
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: South End Press
• Length: 233 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Eye opening...for good reason.

I was very surprised to see that some people (few as they were) bashing Chomsky for Pirates and Emperors. UNsurprisingly, though, their attacks carry only the usual Fox-news-Ann-Coulter-Mark-Levin "you're anti-american and anti-semitic", with complete (intentional) disregard of the myriad of uncontroversial (just inconvenient) facts that Chomsky presents. This book is about 240 pages, the last 60 of which are footnotes. I have verified about 20% of them, and couldn't find a single untrustworthy source. It is no surprise that the attacks levelled at Chomsky are all ad-hominom, given the fact that he rarely expresses his opinion, but simply states facts and quotes, and leaves you to draw your own conclusions. This is a man who comes from a scientific background and knows how to present a FORMAL argument, without falling in the usual logical fallacies intended to appeal to people's emotions. Not only are these attacks baseless, but they're also self-contradicting. The VAST majority of his sources are, in fact, American and Israeli sources (American presidents and newspapers, Israeli politicians and journals, etc). It is simply mind-blowing that these attackers can't see the fallacy of their own arguments (or do they?). This book is over 20 years old now, but is still as relevant as it ever was. Definitely a recommended read. "We will understand very little about the world if we neglect the relevant historical context, commonly ignored or suppressed in the official doctrine." Pirates and Emperors, page 111.

The truth is not for sale

I am someone who actually worked on this book when it was published years ago. When I read the manuscript in preparation for publication, I was thrilled. Unlike the Zionist critics, or those afraid to see the world as it is, I was not afraid of the damning analysis of my country and of my ethnic breatheren. Though I may be a Jew, I do not not hold with Zionism and its hatreds. I love this book. We should be thankful that Chomsky stands where does, shoots for the truth, and challenges us to lay down our biases while on the joureny to enlightenment.

One of Chomsky's best

I am personally flabbergasted at Susan Norton's review. It's utter twaddle. Did she read the book? Chomsky, in case after case, many times using the mainstream "free" press as a source, conveys the absolute savagery and hyorcrisy of the U.S.'s #1 client state regime, Israel. One might be skeptical of what he is saying when one begins to read the book, but when he uses, perhaps, over 100 hundred cases that prove his points then it really becomes hard to refute what he is saying. Did Susan Norton take a look at just how incredibly extensive Chomsky's sources are? They're astronomically broad! They range from independent sources such as Amnesty International, and other human rights groups, declassified U.S. documents, the American and Israeli Commissar class, and others from the heart of the American Empire! (Just to name a few). This book really helps put the Arab-Israeli conflict into a proper political context. Remember this is not necessarily a history book per se, but a record of terrorism committed by ISRAEL and the UNITED STATES and how their terrorism far outweighs Palestinian terrorism. Conventional wisdom would have you believe the opposite and Chomsky provides the reasons why.

A critical analysis of America's role in the Middle East

Now in a newly updated edition, Pirates And Emperors, Old And New: International Terrorism In The Real World by Noam Chomsky (an internationally acclaimed philosopher, scholar, and political activist). Chomsky's critical analysis of America's role in the Middle East and how the media tends to manipulate the beliefs of the public is presented with the addition of new chapters focusing upon the second Palestinian Intifada which began in October 2000, as well as the harsh impact that September 11 has had on the formation and conduct of American foreign policy. Pirates And Emperors, Old And New is a very highly recommended and timely addition to Contemporary International Studies reading lists and reference collections.

A schloarly masterpiece in the Chomsky tradition of dissent!

Noam Chomsky deserves a Profiles in Courage award for this scholarly treatise that exposes the hypocrisies and selective standards the superpowers use with respect to the word "terrorism." Chomsky brilliantly illustrates that by the internationally accepted definition of the word terrorism, the Western powers are guilty of state sponsored terrorism by their support of attrocities against Third World peoples such as the Palestinains, Cambodians, East Timorese, and others. The convenient countries that are targeted for sanctions against terrorism are Iraq, Iran, Libya, Cuba, and North Korea. Chomsky argues that should a leader who supported Western expansionism and domination such as the Shah of Iran or King Idris of Libya arise, the countries will be termed "friendly" and "moderate" like the Gulf potentates and Apartheid South Africa. I thorougly enjoyed reading this book and others by the same author. Chomsky consistently points out the mistakes and fallacies of policy makers through his superb mastery of polemics and prose. His style is entertaining and never loses my interest. I suggest any prospective student in international relations be required to read this text by one of America's leading dissident voices.