Introducing Critical Theory: A Graphic Guide (Graphic Guides) Paperback – April 1, 2009

Reading this book is not going to make you an expert on Foucault or Lacan- however, if what you are seeking is an idea as to the spectrum of schools and branches and concerns of "critical theory," or if you're not even terribly sure what "critical theory" IS, then I suggest you pick this book up. When I was just getting started, it really helped me create a "cognitive map" of the field. Basically you get a mapped out schema of the world of critical theory, with a few tantalizing tidbits dropped about some of the thinkers- then it is up to you to go out and get the real books and start reading them. But if you are starting from nothing, and don't even know what you want to read- Donald Rumsfield's "Unknown Unknowns," then start reading this book so you can figure out what your "Known unknowns" are: "I don't know anything about Althusser, but judging on what I read in this book, I now know that I want to study him," etc. I have a few other of the "Introducing" books, and, honestly, the only one I came back to at all frequently was this one. It does not try to "explain" any particular thinker, but to introduce you to a field- I think in this regard I think it is sucessful. It is by no means perfect- for instance, Zizek only gets two teeny little pages- but, again, it is making various "names" available to you, various schools, various strands- Frankfurt school, Deconstruction, Structuralism, Post Marxist, Post Feminist, etc- so that you can go out and get started. I highly recommend this book. I think it is terrific. (Plus the illustrations are great fun!) Critical theory can be a confusing hodge podge of theoretical models- this book will help you on the path.

Worth the $5 paid both to clarify and elucidate any potholes in your philosophy education. This series is truly indispensable in today's world, not just for philosophy heads but for reaching out to the rest of society. The low price really is a part of that equation.

This is a good introduction to a train of thought that has transformed Western thought in the social sciences, while at the same time wreaking havoc by fostering a propensity for obfuscatory bloviation (I would us a harsher word, but don't want to risk getting censored). I earned a PhD in ethnomusicology five years ago, but was initially trained in the early 1970s before this trend became fashionable. I have found that it has become go-to jargon in my field and others, and has important merits. At the same time, it has become something of a fetish in academia, with scholars strutting about trying to demonstrate who is more socially conscious than whom. Nevertheless, academics must fortify themselves with this knowledge, if for no other reason but to make an articulate decision to forego using these ideas as the governing paradigm of one's work. To that end, this is a palatable way to ingest this set of idea. End of rant.

The Book is very small the and print is hard to read. The content is informative about the subject It goes into plenty of detail about post modern theory and exposes the abstract jargon and obscure thinking of it's adherents . Such as the anal retentive obsession with obtuse concepts and purely mental gaming over pseudo intellectual ideas. Worth a read to get a picture of what these individuals did to advance a way of seeing the world that was supposedly novel and sophisticated.Hardly practical for people with real lives to live. But I wanted too see what this classification of thinking was about.It seems more like cynical exercises to provide a format for men with little or no true inspiration or purpose in life except to pursue a train of thought that can't be explained in logical terms. There is nothing organic or human here. A conversation with a friend about PM theory would likely dead end with confusion and agitation.

This book is a tidy, small introduction that might help beginning literature students understand basic concepts. The book is not very well-organized, but nevertheless appeals to students because of the style in which it is written.

Critical Theory can be very intimidating. I've read a number of key source texts over the years (Habermas, Foucault, Barthes, Eco, Gramsci, Benjamin). I was looking for a simple sketch of what is out there for my daughter who is a sophomore in college. I found this and really like it. Because Critical Theory isn't actually coherently definable -- it's more a collections of related theories, some in opposition to others -- this book really maps out the relationships of major figures and their ideas. To really understand the ideas of Critical Theory, you don't want one big book, but a guide like this and then add separate readings one by one, just like visiting the town on a map.

I found this text made it easy to understand some complex theories and put them in context. It opens with the Theory of everything and looks at Marx, Baudrillard, Bentham, Dali, Derrida, Foucault, Freud, Greer, Hegel etc. and many more theorists(loads of them). If you are studying philosophy or psychology, then this is a must-have.

The book have so much graphics that become distracting and confusing.

If you are intrigued by and interested in critical theories and their variations, then this is a great starter. The book list at the end will help in further reading.

Clarified and introduced a whole new academic vista for me, Brilliant little book,

This is a decent overview and a quick read of the major critical theories of the last years summed up in one book. Using it as a supplement with other 'more serious' critical/literary/cultural theory books is what I would recommend.

The book is excellent for an overview approach about critical theory, allowing the reader to choose many possibilities of study.

Un timo, no volveré a comprar ningun libro para Kilndle que lleve imágenes. No he podido leer nada y he tenido que borrarlo perdiendo dinero. No debería de ofertarse.