Noam Chomsky and voices from North, South and Central America. There are four interviews with Chomsky in which he infects the reader with a sense of optimism. He quotes Gramsci: we should live by pessimism of the intellect and optimism of the will. This has to be the right stance in which to live in these times.
Chomsky refers to optimism of the will in local communal activity in South America, as well as in national political behaviour. He pays tribute to it and conveys hope.
Unfortunately, the voices representing optimistic activity are deadeningly sociological and anthropological. No passion, no direct description of activity, just dead intellectuality. Perhaps these voices do not belong to the people doing the actual work. Chomsky has very little comment to make on these contributions, the bulk of the book.
Hope is dashed by those who are meant to exemplify it, creating a dysfunctional book.
Rating: Fair
