
Noam Chomsky's essential political anthology deconstructs how power truly operates in our world. Cited more frequently than Shakespeare and embraced by activists worldwide, "How the World Works" reveals uncomfortable truths about wealth, media manipulation, and democracy that establishment figures hope you'll never discover.
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Imagine a world where the most cited intellectual of our time-ranking alongside Plato and Freud-is systematically excluded from mainstream media. This is the paradox of Noam Chomsky, whose analysis has proven remarkably prescient over decades while remaining strangely marginalized in public discourse. When Barack Obama was photographed holding "How the World Works" in 2008, it sparked both hope and alarm-a fitting reaction to a text that fundamentally challenges our understanding of global power. Through meticulous documentation and clear-eyed analysis, Chomsky exposes the gap between political rhetoric and reality, offering nothing less than an alternative education in how power actually functions in our world. World War II created an unprecedented opportunity for American dominance. While industrial rivals in Europe and Asia lay in ruins, the United States emerged controlling approximately 50% of global wealth with just 6.3% of the population. This dramatic imbalance allowed American planners to reshape the post-war world according to their interests. The strategy was breathtaking in scope. State Department planners developed the concept of a "Grand Area"-encompassing the Western Hemisphere, Western Europe, the Far East, former British Empire, and Middle Eastern energy resources-to be subordinated to American economic needs. Each region was assigned specific functions: Germany and Japan would become "great workshops" under American supervision, while the Third World would serve as "a source of raw materials and a market" for industrial powers.
Break down key ideas from How the World Works (Real Story into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Distill How the World Works (Real Story into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Experience How the World Works (Real Story through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

Get the How the World Works (Real Story summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.