Books in the Routledge Critical Thinkers series

This book explains why De Man is such an important voice, detailing his critical position, exploring his intellectual and historical contexts, tracing the influence of his work and enabling readers to undertake independent study of his criticism.

Tracing the developing modernist aesthetic in the thought and writings of James Joyce, Dorothy Richardson and Virginia Woolf, this book considers the cultural, social and personal influences upon the three writers. It explores the connections between their theories, and gives attention to their work on various aspects.

Modernist poetry heralded a radical new aesthetic of experimentation, pioneering new verse forms and subjects. This volume examines three of the most influential figures of the modernist movement, and argues that we cannot dissociate their bold, inventive poetic forms from their profoundly engaged theories of social and political reform.

Stuart Hall was one of the founding fathers of cultural studies. This text places Hall's work within its historical, cultural and theoretical contexts, providing a clear guide to his key ideas and influences, as well as his critics and his intellectual legacy.

Sara Mills offers an introduction to both the ideas of Michel Foucault and the debate surrounding him, fully equipping student readers for an encounter with this most influential of thinkers.

This guide offers students of literature and culture a refreshingly clear introduction to Butler's crucial ideas, including the formation of identity, subjecthood and gender performativity.

A clear introduction to Kristeva examining her work on language and textuality, subjectivity, feminism and sexuality, politics, identity and nationality.

Tony Myers provides a clear and engaging guide to Slavoj Zizek's key ideas, explaining the main influences on his thought (most crucially his engagement with Lacanian psychoanalysis) using examples drawn from popular culture and everyday life. Myers outlines the key issues that Zizek's work has tackled.

Without Maurice Blanchot, literary theory as we know it today would have been unthinkable. This guide: works "idea by idea" through Blanchot's writings, anchoring them in historical and intellectual contexts; examines Blanchot's understanding of literature, death, ethics and politics and the relationship between these themes.

Widely recognised as one of today's most important cultural critics, Adam Roberts offers an engaging introduction to this crucial figure, which will convince any student of contemporary theory that Jameson must be read.

Drawing upon Beauvoir's literary and theoretical texts, this introduction to her thought guides the reader through the main areas of Simone de Beauvoir's thought, including: existentialism and ethics; gender studies and feminism; literature and autobiography; and sexuality, the body and ageing.

Best known for his theories of ideology and its impact on politics and culture, Louis Althusser revolutionized Marxist theory. Placing Althusser's ideas in the context of earlier Marxist thought, as well as tracing their development and impact, this book presents a guide, useful for those new to the work of this influential critical thinker.

Lee Spinks prepares readers for their first encounter with Nietzsche's most influential texts, enabling them to begin to apply his thought in studies of literature, art and contemporary culture.

An accessible introduction to one of the key thinkers of our time, focusing on her key theoretical concepts, intellectual context and critical reception.

An essential student guide to Lyotard and issues in his work, including modernity and the postmodern, the sublime, ethics, history and representation, art and the unpresentable, knowledge and the university and the future.

Roland Barthes is a central figure in the study of language, literature, culture and the media. This title prepares readers for their first encounter with his crucial writings on some of the most important theoretical debates. Tracing his engagement with other key thinkers, it offers a clear picture of Barthes' work in-context.

Covers key elements of Gramsci's thought through detailed discussion, and studies the historical context of the theorist's thought. This work also offers examples of putting Gramsci's ideas into practice in the analysis of contemporary culture, and evaluates responses to his work.

Provides readers with the tools required to interpret Adorno's works, whilst also introducing readers to his interpretation of classical German philosophy and his relationship to his contemporaries.

With his emphasis on creation, the future and enhancement of life, along with his crusade against 'common sense,' Deleuze offers some of the most liberating, exhilarating ideas in twentieth-century thought introduced here.

This volume provides an excellent introduction to the work of Jacques Lacan, covering all of Lacan's major concepts such as the Imaginary, the Symbolic and the Real.

Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick is one of the most significant literary theorists and a key figure in contemporary queer theory. This book indicates the impact that Sedgwick's work has on writers, readers, and literary and cultural theory.

Homi K. Bhabha is one of the most highly renowned figures in contemporary post-colonial studies. This introductory guidebook is ideal for all students working in the fields of literary, cultural and postcolonial theory.

Jean Baudrillard is one of the controversial theorists, famous for his claim that the Gulf War never happened and for his provocative writing on terrorism, specifically 9/11. This title examines the impact that Baudrillard has had on literary studies, media and cultural studies, sociology, philosophy and postmodernism.

F R Leavis is one of the most influential thinkers in twentieth-century theory. Drawing on the work of F R Leavis and the repercussions and responses that have arisen from it, this book examines concepts including: culture; mass; civilisation; tradition; practical criticism; and, life.

Focusing on the work of Laura Mulvey, Kaja Silverman, Teresa de Lauretis and Barbara Creed, this book explores how, since it began in the 1970s, feminist film theory has revolutionized the way that films and their spectators can be understood. It is useful for students of film theory and women's studies.

Karl Simms also offers a guide to further reading, which offers advice on Ricoeur's work as well as secondary texts. Refreshingly clear and impressively comprehensive, Paul Ricoeur is the essential guide to an essential theorist.

Best known for his theories of ethics and responsibility, Emmanuel Levinas was one of the most profound and influential thinkers of the 20th century. This guide examines why Levinas is increasingly fundamental to the study of literature and culture.