Noam Chomsky Books In Order

Publication Order of Open Media Books

Publication Order of The Political Economy of Human Rights Books

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of American Empire Project Books

Publication Order of City Lights Open Media Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Noam Chomsky

As a public intellectual, linguist, and thinker, Noam Chomsky is an American writer who, for many, needs no introduction. Making a name for himself with his ever incisive and in-depth analysis, he understands what drives people, as he’s known to readers worldwide. Whether his audience agree with him or not, he’s a respected figure by many, as his reputation precedes him, speaking his mind on a wide range of different issues. Known far and wide for his incisive and profound analysis, he always makes an impact with his perspective and insight.

A key figure of left-wing thought, he’s often seen as a staunch critic of western hegemony and capitalism through his work and writing. Making his ideas clear and accessible, he immediately gets to the point, whether it’s in broadcasting or in print, never afraid to shy away from certain topics. Over time this has afforded him following globally, as audiences, regardless of their political leanings, have come to respect what he has to say. Speaking to wide-range of different figures, he’s always willing to communicate his ideas as well, regardless of who he’s speaking to.

During the course of his writing career all of this has led to him writing a number of different books, many of which continue to stand the test of time. For some he talks about the media, others he talks about the economy, but one thing’s for sure is that he always has something different to say. His work always has a real sense of power to it as well, as he’s an articulate an intelligent thinker who talks with confidence. With a legacy that will continue to live on, he continues to write, with more to follow still, as he isn’t stopping any time soon.

Early and Personal Life

Born in 1928 on the 7th of December, Avram Noam Chomsky was born in East Oak Lane in Philadelphia, in the United States. His parents were Jewish immigrants, with his mother being Elsie Simonofsky, and his father Ze’ev ‘William’ Chomsky, a Hebrew scholar. With a background in academia, he would pursue this field himself, while being close with his brother, the cardiologist David Eli Chomsky.

Attending Deweyite Oak Lane Country Day School, he would go on to graduate from Central High School in Philadelphia. Exposed to Socialism along with far-left politics through the International Garment Worker’s Union, and he would debate current affairs at the New York City newspaper stand after being influenced by his uncle and other Jewish leftists. As a key figure in anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movements, he continues to write regularly, and he was married to his wife Carol Doris Chomsky until her passing in 2008.

Writing Career

Perhaps one of the best know texts that Noam Chomsky would write was ‘Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media.’ Writing this alongside Edward S. Herman, this would come to be one of the most formative texts on how mass-media influences society as a whole, with a documentary being made from it in 1992. Other books would see him write about ideologies and western imperialism, really laying bare what his ideas on the world, such as as 2010s book ‘Chomsky On Anarchism.’

He’d also write a few series of books too, including the ‘American Empire Project,’ which would seek to take a closer look at the American empire as a whole. Often writing alongside other writers as well, he would shy away from writing about difficult subject matter such as Palestine either, with his 2015 book ‘On Palestine.’ Winning awards for his work, he’s gone on to become one of the key political dissenters, revered by many worldwide, as his audience grows day-by-day.

Who Rules The World

Originally published in 2014, this would first come out on the 1st of January to much acclaim, with it being a part of the ‘American Empire Project Series’ of books. The books themselves are all non-fiction, looking at different aspects of American society and how they function in a modern era. It’s a must not only for fans of the author, but for those looking to find out more on the subject as a whole in the long-run.

Still setting the terms of global discourse, despite the rise of the Asian and European continents, America continues to maintain its grip on global politics. Using a wide-range of different examples, Chomsky seeks to break this down, looking at the US involvement in Iran and Cuba, and how they’ve continued to maintain their grip. Analyzing Iraq and Afghanistan as well, he leaves no stone unturned, making sure to cover every single base when it comes to looking at America’s hegemony. The book also has an afterword on the election of Donald Trump, looking at everything that led to that point in history and why it happened.

One of Chomsky’s later works, this manages to capture everything about where American society is at, and where it’s heading. Providing lots of intensive data on the subject matter, he doesn’t hold back, really offering a unique insight into an area of American politics that’s otherwise left undisturbed. Making it accessible too, his work doesn’t get bogged down by academia, allowing anyone and everyone to essentially read it.

Media Control

First brought out in 1995, this would be a shorter non-fiction book from Noam Chomsky, with an audiobook version of it as well. Not a part of any series, it would be an easy to read introduction to leftist analysis of media propaganda, and how it is utilized. Published through the ‘Seven Stories Press’ publishing imprint, it would be a fast and easy read, making it ideal for anyone looking to learn more on the subject matter.

Looking back to wartime propaganda, Chomsky takes a deep dive into what really drives the American, and the global, public when it comes to the media. Speaking of propaganda as ‘a tool’ for bludgeoning the people, it seeks to rectify this, as media leads society into what is otherwise a totalitarian state. Studying the war-mongering mentality of the media, it shines a light on why those in power do this, and how they use the media to project their message. From Bush Sr.’s ill-fated war in Iraq, to satiating the blood-lust of an otherwise pacifist nation, it illuminates what Lippman calls ‘spectator democracy.’

This book would follow on from the ‘Manufacturing Consent’ as almost a footnote, but it was no less important in terms of its scope and scale. With Chomsky fully at the helm this time round, he goes about giving a full run-down of how propaganda has driven all American politics. Just as relevant today as it ever was, this book has a lot to say on where society is going, and what’s in store for the media, making this a key introductory text of anyone interested in the works of Chomsky.