Walter Benjamin : A Very Short Introduction

Eli Zaretsky

ISBN 10: 0197670032 / ISBN 13: 9780197670033

Editore: Oxford University Press Inc Sep 2026, 2026

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Neuware - Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) is now generally recognized as one of the most influential thinkers of the last century. This Very Short Introduction explores his extraordinary life and thought. His complex system of criticism is difficult for many readers, but it is coherent in its combination of a Judaic theological perspective with cultural Marxism. Benjamin's distinctive approach considered literary criticism, visual media, and the impact of cosmopolitanism. This innovative messianic understanding of history would go on to inspire countless critics and even entire schools of academia. Born into a wealthy German-Jewish family, Benjamin lived much of his life in poverty and exile, and he committed suicide in 1940 while fleeing the Nazis. In his lifetime, he was known only to a small group of intimate friends, notably Gershom Scholem, Bertold Brecht, and Theodor Adorno. His close compatriots had been trying desperately to rescue him at the time of his death. All attempts failed -- but his thought remains crucial to understanding the crises of our present world. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Codice articolo 9780197670033

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Walter Benjamin : A Very Short Introduction
• Editore: Oxford University Press Inc Sep 2026
• Data di pubblicazione: 2026
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0197670032
• ISBN 13: 9780197670033
• Rilegatura: Taschenbuch
• Condizione: Neu
• Dimensioni: 171 L x 112 A x 9 P (millimetri) 171 millimetri di larghezza per 112 millimetri di altezza per 9 millimetri di profondità
• Peso: 132 grammi

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) is now generally recognized as one of the most influential thinkers of the last century. This Very Short Introduction explores his extraordinary life and thought. His complex system of criticism is difficult for many readers, but it is coherent in its combination of a Judaic theological perspective with cultural Marxism. Benjamin's distinctive approach considered literary criticism, visual media, and the impact of cosmopolitanism. This innovative messianic understanding of history would go on to inspire countless critics and even entire schools of academia.

Born into a wealthy German-Jewish family, Benjamin lived much of his life in poverty and exile, and he committed suicide in 1940 while fleeing the Nazis. In his lifetime, he was known only to a small group of intimate friends, notably Gershom Scholem, Bertold Brecht, and Theodor Adorno. His close compatriots had been trying desperately to rescue him at the time of his death. All attempts failed -- but his thought remains crucial to understanding the crises of our present world.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Informazioni sull?autore

Eli Zaretsky is Professor Emeritus at the New School for Social Research. He is the author of Political Freud (2015), Why America Needs a Left (2012), and Secrets of the Soul (2005). He is also the editor of the 1984 abridged version of The Polish Peasant in Europe and America.