I’m withholding a star rating on this one because it ended up not being what I thought it was - and that’s not necessarily the book’s fault. It’s a collection of transcribed interviews about a variety of topics: economics, foreign policy, the overall shift right by both U.S. parties. My favorite sections were on dissecting the modern Republican party and Trump’s election in 2016. Ultimately the title is a nice slogan but it doesn’t really point to a thesis or common thread that ties these interviews together, which is what I was expecting.

The quote in the summary is basically all we get on the topic: “We have two choices. We can be pessimistic, give up, and help ensure that the worst will happen. Or we can be optimistic, grasp the opportunities that surely exist, and maybe help make the world a better place. Not much of a choice.” There ya go. If you had the same assumption as me for what the content of this book would be, I saved you some time. 

I could see this being a helpful read if you’re familiar with U.S. foreign policy in the 21st century and you want Chomsky’s take on it. I was hoping it would be about engaging in leftist politics with a perspective of optimism - which sure would be a helpful book right about now. Anyways, I’m bummed this wasn’t what I thought it was but that’s not anyone else’s fault.