Bøger i Routledge Critical Thinkers serien

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.