Language Topics Books : Foucault: A very short introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Foucault: A very short introduction (Very Short Introductions)

£2.97


Good Introduction to a Complex Thinker - I think the reviewer before me was a little harsh on what is a short introduction to one of France s greatest intellectuals. This text book helped me through out my university years in grasping some of the key elements behind Foucault s text and also offers an insight into his thinking through out the years. I don t think the book is arbitrary (as mentioned by the previous reviewer) in covering what is a very massive body of work. It takes us through his ideas of power, politics, the birth of the institution, sexuality in a very accessible way. Notably, it is obviously not as concise as actually reading Foucault s writing, which can be very rewarding. But this little is a good book is effective in immersing you within Foucault s philosophy. My main criticism is that the last chapter on sexuality is somewhat a little meandering. Although it isn t classed as Foucault s strongest work, I do feel it doesn t capture the essence of history of sexuality well enough. Overall i highly recommend it for those who want to an effective stepping stone into Foucault s work.

Opaque writing - I already knew some Foucault when I picked up this book and I expected to race through it like it did with the excellent Very Short Introduction to Litterary Theory.I was, however, dissapointed to see a somewhat average and redundant text that seems to more in completely arbitrary directions instead of acutally trying to introduce Foucault s main lines of thought.So if you decide to read this book you should know that it reads more like a loose set of meditations regarding Foucault s life and work than an actualy introduction to Foucalt.




Foucault: A very short introduction (Very Short Introductions)