Reviews
Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media by Edward S. Herman, Noam Chomsky
paulgrostad's review against another edition
1.0
While I am European and consider myself a liberal, this book was just too much. I had to put it down a few minutes into chapter 2.
This is proof that conspiracy theories are rampant also on the left.
I will never again take any Chomsky argument seriously
This is proof that conspiracy theories are rampant also on the left.
I will never again take any Chomsky argument seriously
hippie13's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
cdurbzz's review against another edition
3.0
chomsky and co are so palpably mad at everything being written about, and rightfully so. the content itself is incredibly prescient and infuriating and TRUE. my critique is about the structure; the first chapter is a really succinct breakdown of why and how corporate media manipulates you, and the rest of the chapters are specific examples of this, some of which are more interesting than others I suppose. i guess there's a reason I don't read a lot of non-fiction (i'm very stupid)
thatonewhoreads's review against another edition
3.0
Chomsky writing super in depth books goes hand in hand. First chapter absolutely amazing great analysis on state of media and media control. The case studies were a bit too long for my liking. I eventually had to force to myself to push past the castle studies. Until Indochina which was way too much in depth. So I didn’t finish it but I got the gist of the book regardless.
izcanbeguscott's review against another edition
challenging
informative
sad
slow-paced
5.0
I mean, it's Manufacturing Consent. This is the book of media influence, power, corporate and governmental stenography and so much more. Herman and Chomsky display the absolute hollow core at the center of most mass media as money making enterprises with extensive sources and examples. I imagine most people would be hard pressed to come out of this book not having their perspective shifted just a little bit.
Again, as with most non-fiction books looking to prove a point, it is outdated in some capacities. The diffusion of information present in the information age does dilute some of these points a little bit, where not everyone has to beg for the drip feed from CNN and the NYT. There are even some questionable bits regarding Cambodia where I think Chomsky's willingness to stick it to America makes him under allocate blame to the Khmer Rouge.
There are other aspects of this book that are even MORE prevalent today, however, as the epidemic of frivolous bullshit and conspiracy theories have made more reasonable people flock to corporate media as the more "real" sources of news. This can help dissolve those illusions in a powerful way, as the commitments to make money and please sources will always undercut the truth in a major factor.
Essential reading, just with the understanding that it is nearly 40 years old and may be discussing events that are more pertinent to our parents generation than ours.
Again, as with most non-fiction books looking to prove a point, it is outdated in some capacities. The diffusion of information present in the information age does dilute some of these points a little bit, where not everyone has to beg for the drip feed from CNN and the NYT. There are even some questionable bits regarding Cambodia where I think Chomsky's willingness to stick it to America makes him under allocate blame to the Khmer Rouge.
There are other aspects of this book that are even MORE prevalent today, however, as the epidemic of frivolous bullshit and conspiracy theories have made more reasonable people flock to corporate media as the more "real" sources of news. This can help dissolve those illusions in a powerful way, as the commitments to make money and please sources will always undercut the truth in a major factor.
Essential reading, just with the understanding that it is nearly 40 years old and may be discussing events that are more pertinent to our parents generation than ours.
georgiadavidson_'s review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75