Walter Benjamin

Author: Terry Eagleton (United Kingdom)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) was a renowned German thinker, hailed as the true intellectual of Europe. His rare talent and tragic life left endless topics for later generations. Unlike many academic studies that systematically synthesize Benjamin's thought, this book is driven by a festive combination of Marxist revolutionary principles, Benjamin's historical philosophy, and post-structuralist anti-metaphysical theory. With a sharp pen, it delves directly into the soul of Benjamin himself. Not only does it offer unique interpretations of central themes such as Benjamin's Baroque allegories, commodities as cultural objects, and messianic revolution, but it also contrasts Benjamin's views with those of Eliot, Leavis, Brecht, and others, re-examining numerous issues and possibilities of revolutionary criticism while emphasizing the political role of art. Terry Eagleton's language is passionate, unrestrained, rich in theoretical tension, and full of discursive pleasure, making it a masterpiece that pays tribute to the master with a "shocking" effect. An inspiring and important work, it demonstrates the power and direction that Marxist criticism after Althusser has conspicuously lacked. — Annual Report of English Studies Readers will repeatedly read this book to unravel the intricate threads and gain the joy of thought that other works cannot provide. — Choice