Chomsky and Me: My 24 Years Running Noam Chomsky's Office

Bev Stohl worked for Noam Chomsky at the MIT office for nearly two and a half decades, and this book chronicles her experiences working next to him. It includes visits from notable visitors such as Howard Zinn, Tim Berners Lee, and Catherine Keener, as well as her challenges in managing visitors and her warm friendship with Chomsky.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2023
Publisher: OR Books

Bev Stohl, a dedicated professional, had the privilege of serving as the MIT office manager for nearly two and a half decades under the guidance of the renowned linguist and social critic Noam Chomsky. In this captivating memoir, she shares her experiences working closely alongside a man widely regarded as one of the most influential intellectuals of our time, as per the New York Times. Through the pages of this book, we embark on a journey through the lives of a diverse array of visitors who grace the office of Chomsky. These visitors include historians such as Howard Zinn, activists like Alex Carey, Peggy Duff, and Dorie Ladner, inventors like Tim Berners Lee, actors like Catherine Keener and Wallace Shawn, writers like Norman Mailer, groups of fourteen-year-old school students, and renowned linguists from around the world. Each of these individuals makes an appearance in these captivating stories, and it is evident that their visits are as varied and unpredictable as Chomsky's generosity with his time. One of Bev's most challenging tasks is managing the flow of visitors, ensuring that they respect the allocated time and allowing her to shepherd them out mid-conversation with finesse.

In addition to her managerial responsibilities, Bev also undertook the task of organizing lectures that often drew large crowds worldwide. She adeptly navigated the challenges of keeping unscrupulous journalists at bay, preventing the accumulation of towering stacks of paper and books that could engulf her boss, and promptly turning on his printer when it was deemed "broken" by a mind that was more preoccupied with the realms of academia and activism than with mundane technology. Over time, what began as a formal working arrangement evolved into a warm and enduring friendship that transcended the boundaries of work. Bev and Chomsky embarked on work trips to Europe, shared visits to Noam's summer home on Cape Cod, and engaged in a mentorship that presented Bev with a multitude of intriguing mental and practical puzzles.

Published with the utmost approval from its subject and crafted with affection, insight, and a gentle sense of humor, Chomsky and Me offers a captivating portrayal of a unique relationship between two individuals who, through the serendipity of work, forged a bond that defies conventional expectations. This memoir serves as a testament to the power of human connection and the profound impact that working alongside someone of Chomsky's caliber can have on an individual's life and career.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 140 x 210 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781682193778