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The Real Story Series is based on a simple idea--political books don't have to be boring. Short, well-written and to the point, Real Story books are meant to be read.

In these fact-filled, illusion-shattering masterpieces, the man the "New York Times" called "arguably the most important intellectual alive," explains why "what the public wants is called 'politically unrealistic.' Translated into English, that means power and privilege are opposed to it."

Normally somewhat difficult to read, Chomsky is at his most accessible in his speeches and interviews, and that's what these books are compiled from. Here are some examples of what he has to tell you:

In 1970, about 90% of international capital was used for trade and long-term investment-more or less productive things--and 10% reserved for speculation. By 1990, those figures were reversed.

Haiti, a starving island, is exporting food to the U.S.--about 35 times as much under Clinton as under Bush.

The gap between how much income is held by the richest and poorest 20? has increased dramatically over the past 30 years--about double for rich vs. poor countries and far more for rich vs. poor people. [via]