Author: Noam Chomsky File Type: pdf What are the roots of the Israel-Palestinian conflict and how has it been influenced by the United States? Why has the U.S.-brokered peace process repeatedly failed to deliver peace? What are the prospects for a just resolution? What interests underlie current U.S. strategic doctrines in the Middle East, especially in its redeclared war on terrorism after 9-11, and how do we look beyond them to find more peaceful and viable alternatives? These are among the current and long-standing questions Noam Chomsky takes up in his newest book. Middle East Illusions presents recent chapters written by the author about the myths behind the peace process, the second Palestinian Intifada (which began in September 2000 and continues today in defiance of Israeli repression), and the Bush administrations response to the September 11 attacks on the United States, including its drive toward another war with Iraq. Middle East Illusions also includes the full text of Chomskys earlier book, Peace in the Middle East? Reflections on Justice and Nationhood, written during the crucial period spanning the Six-Day and 1973 wars, events that continue to define and deeply influence the world today. It therefore presents in-depth analysis covering several decades, making it one of the richest of any analysis published about the regions geopolitics. Noam Chomsky is recognized internationally for his critical analysis of the Middle East. His thoroughly documented research draws on an immense range of sources, including Hebrew texts rarely discussed in the United States, declassified government planning documents, and other sources all too often overlooked in discussions of the U.S. role in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Author: Sarah Iles Johnston File Type: pdf Greek myths have long been admired as beautiful, thrilling stories but dismissed as serious objects of belief. For centuries scholars have held that Greek epics, tragedies, and the other compelling works handed down to us obscure the real myths that supposedly inspired them. Instead of joining in this pursuit of hidden meanings, Sarah Iles Johnston argues that the very nature of myths as storiesas gripping tales starring vivid charactersenabled them to do their most important work to create and sustain belief in the gods and heroes who formed the basis of Greek religion. By drawing on work in narratology, sociology, and folklore studies, and by comparing Greek myths not only to the myths of other cultures but also to fairy tales, ghost stories, fantasy works, modern novels, and television series, The Story of Myth reveals the subtle yet powerful ways in which these ancient Greek tales forged enduring bonds between their characters and their audiences, created coherent story-worlds, and made it possible to believe in extraordinary gods. Johnston captures what makes Greek myths distinctively Greek, but simultaneously brings these myths into a broader conversation about how the stories told by all cultures affect our shared view of the cosmos and the creatures who inhabit it. **h3 Segoe UIReviewp Segoe UIWith unparalleled audacity and finesse, Sarah Iles Johnston cuts loose from traditional scholarship and connects us with the complicated, mysterious, high-wattage world of Greek myths. How did they gather their power and energize audiences? Johnston shows us how stories about Zeus, Theseus, Arachne, or Hecate not only entertained, engaged, and animated in their time but also did the important cultural work of shaping beliefs and values.Maria Tatar, author ofEnchanted Huntersand coeditor of *The Annotated African American Folktales*p Segoe UIWhy people tell stories based on myths and how they come to believe those stories is central to understanding religion. In this compelling book, Sarah Johnston offers brilliant new analyses of the Greek myths and the stories through which they circulated in the ancient world. It will change the way in which we talk about myths, Greek literature, and religion.T. M. Luhrmann, author of *When God Talks Back*p Segoe UISarah Johnston has produced a wholly original treatment of ancient Greek mythology. Writing with verve and lucidity, she gives us a new way to understand myths enduring power to speak to us all.Peter Struck, author of *Divination and Human Nature*p Segoe UIThe Story of Mythprovides a vivid and clear account of how Greek myths engage ancient and modern audiences both cognitively and emotionally. Johnston probes the rich, elaborate evidence found in myths to uncover what the ancient Greeks thought and felt about their world. Using comparisons that range from the ancient myths of other cultures to contemporary movies and television series, Johnston shows parallels in modes of thought and expression while highlighting what makes Greek mythology distinctive.Radcliffe Edmonds, author of *Myths of the Underworld Journey*p Segoe UI**h3 Segoe UIAbout the Authorp Segoe UIbSarah Iles Johnstonb is the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Religion and Professor of Classics and Comparative Studies at The Ohio State University.