The Penguin Dictionary of Critical Theory by David Macey

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About David Macey

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The Penguin Dictionary of Critical Theory

» David Macey

Penguin
Paperback : 30 Aug 2001

£10.99

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Synopsis

Critical theory now underpins numerous academic disciplines, but, for the uninitiated, it can seem a bewildering maze of conflicting schools of thought, complex theories and endless jargon. David Macey's new dictionary cuts through the complexities to give a clear and straightforward account of all the key terms and concepts the average student is likely to encounter.

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Critic Review:

"Remarkable for its comprehensiveness, mapping "theory" across a wide range of disciplines and art forms. It is certainly a reference book I will want to have on my own shelves." —David Lodge

"Excellent...an unusual instance of an academic reference book that I do belive doubles quite effectively as a textbook for students and I would recommend it unreservedly to anyone with an interest in theoretical matters, or just in the history of ideas." —Dr. Duncan Wu, St. Catherine's College, Oxford

"An astonishing encyclopaedia of people, ideas and concepts...ideal as introductory essays on a thinker or concept that you want to get a handle on before reading futher...the book also rewards browsers with entries on unpredictable things like "dead white European males" and "false memory syndrome"...a great purchase for students of cultural studies, literature or sociology." —www.Theory.org.uk

"Enlightening and fun: this dictionary is a treasure of easy, elegant erudition. From abjection to zeugma, Plato to Tarantino, it offers focused critical enquiry and entices readers on more whimsical tours around the ideas." —Dr. Andrea Ashworth

"Splendidly done. It brings clarity to the world of difficult concepts and radical ideas that constitute modern and post-modern critical theory, covering the significant schools and bringing clear definitions." —Malcolm Bradbury