Postmodernism has become the buzzword of contemporary society over the last decade. But how can it be defined? In this highly readable introduction...
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Aug 06, 2011
Great concise introduction to the main philosophical threads and theses of post-modernist thought. Centered on explanations of Foucault's theory on the nature of discourse and power, Christopher Butler explains the deconstructionist impulse behind most of post-modern thought. Postmodernism is described as an essential reaction to liberal modernist grand metanarratives with a penchant for relativism and criticism of any broad generalizations. Butler is also good at pointing out the intellectual l
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Nov 19, 2009
Joshua Nomen-Mutatio
rated it: 
I read this in the Austin central library one afternoon and neglected a stack of books I'd greedily grabbed up while roaming around the third floor (where the philosophy and science stuff is).
The author doesn't feign "neutrality" and gives postmodernism a righteous kick in the pants where it is called for. Though this is not a stuffy, simple-minded dismissive screed (the kind you might find ultra-aesthetically conservative types make) either--it showcases both strengths More...
The author doesn't feign "neutrality" and gives postmodernism a righteous kick in the pants where it is called for. Though this is not a stuffy, simple-minded dismissive screed (the kind you might find ultra-aesthetically conservative types make) either--it showcases both strengths More...
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Nov 23, 2010
Myles
rated it:
I entered into this little book with little grounding, or so I thought.
In many respects postmodernism has become apart of how we think about and interact with the greater world.
The previous sentence is chock-full of entrapment and presuppositions that are endemic to the postmodernist viewpoint. All that 'we,' and what do I mean by the 'greater' world? Postmodernist thought is responsible, in part, for the great amount of the self-aware, meta-happy, skepticism that is so prev More...
In many respects postmodernism has become apart of how we think about and interact with the greater world.
The previous sentence is chock-full of entrapment and presuppositions that are endemic to the postmodernist viewpoint. All that 'we,' and what do I mean by the 'greater' world? Postmodernist thought is responsible, in part, for the great amount of the self-aware, meta-happy, skepticism that is so prev More...
Jan 29, 2012
Nathan
rated it:
It's a poorly defined topic to begin with, and so I wanted to brush up -- as someone from and "engineery" background, I held some animosity towards the concept in and after college, and so have always thought as myself as "generally opposed" and giggled at things like the Sokal Affair.
So, I wanted to read a short introduction to give the topic a fair shake. It turned out to be more of a cynical critique than I'd expected, and presupposes more familiarity with relate More...
So, I wanted to read a short introduction to give the topic a fair shake. It turned out to be more of a cynical critique than I'd expected, and presupposes more familiarity with relate More...
Jan 13, 2012
Michaelwilliam
rated it: 
This book does a nice job introducing the historical development of Postmodernism. The author gets lost when he tries to apply this history to contemporary politics, an analysis of current trends in social democracy or liberal capitalism. The second half of the book reads more like a hard core right wing nut job bashing liberalism and social/progressive ideals, than an academic scholar taking a well balanced and considerate look at current challenges.
Nov 20, 2011
Michael
rated it: 
I'm not a proponent of Postmodernism, but as many books in this series, this was a good book to get an overview of what Postmodernism is about. I think most people in my generation and those after have been affected by postmodernist views so it is good to get a perspective on its origins and development and manifestation in different areas of culture and intellectual thought in order to come to terms with it.
Jul 24, 2011
This should be in the hands of every grad student going into a historiography course. Clear, concise, with examples from literature, music, architecture, fine arts and history. Textualizing, Grand Narratives, Discourse and Power, Death of the Author and Politics of Difference will hold no more terror, although the pile of bricks as art will still piss you off (it is supposed to.)
Apr 01, 2009
Kate
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wow what a task - I don't know how this author pulled all this information together. Like writing a term paper, he assigned himself the task of dividing pertinent information into categories and using language that most people can understand.
Dec 23, 2011
Gene
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Even-handed, rightly cynical, thorough, and insightful - a great introduction/summary of the basic facets of postmodernism.
Jul 30, 2011
Not my favorite book in the VSI series. It was still profitable to get a better grasp of what all the hubbub is about, though.
Apr 26, 2009
M.
rated it:
This is good, and a smart introduction to ideas that I was mostly already familiar with, but the author seems to be overly critical at times. I appreciate a critical overview of a subject that so many individuals are entirely engulfed in, but some sort of flippant comments from the author find him saying things along the lines of "...but that's stupid," which struck me as annoying.
Dec 09, 2010
Cecile
rated it:
Kort en helder. De kritische insteek maakt het boek wat negatief, maar dat wordt wel goedgemaakt door de lengte: in 150 pagina's zo'n ingewikkeld begrip als postmodernisme uitleggen, zowel filosofisch als politiek en artistiek, is best een prestatie.
Dec 16, 2007
Ariel
rated it: 
This isn't really a short introduction to postmodernism. It's more of a short critique of postmodernism for people who already know the theory. I read this book for school, and Butler's fighting words made me want to fight back.
Nov 22, 2010
Lacey
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All of these "A Very Short Introduction..." books are amazing. This one really helped me get a handle on Postmodernism as a refresher before starting my Comparative Literature degree.
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