The Penguin Dictionary of Critical Theory

by David Macey

Accessing the huge selection of critical theory can be an intimidating experience. This acclaimed dictionary is an invaluable introduction to the theories and theorists in the field and will prove an authoritative resource for all students.

Genres: Reference, Philosophy, Theory, Nonfiction, Literature, Literary Criticism, Writing

496 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2002

About the author

David had been for many years a highly esteemed research associate in the Department of French at Leeds, and in 2010 was also appointed Special Professor at the University of Nottingham. Born in Sunderland in 1949, he studied at University College London and became a highly acclaimed writer and translator particularly in the field of contemporary French philosophy and political thought. Among his numerous and influential publications, many of them widely translated, were Lacan in Contexts (1988), The Lives of Michel Foucault (1993), The Penguin Dictionary of Critical Theory (2000), Frantz Fanon: A Life (2000 – described by the New Statesman as ‘the year's biographical tour de force’), and Michel Foucault (2004). He translated over sixty books from French, including Michel Foucault’s Society Must be Defended (2003), and more recently Christian Baudelot and Roger Establet, Suicide (2008) Jean-Claude Kauffmann, The Single Woman and the Fairy-Tale Prince (2008), Boris Cyrulnik, Resilience (2009), and Michel Wieviorka, Violence (2009). David was the husband of Professor Margaret Atack (Professor of French), and the father of Aaron, John and Chantelle.

Reviews

[Jenny]

Want to have a better understanding of what Zizek is referring to without having to read the entire western philosophical cannon? Concise definitions of terminology, summaries of many thinkers contributions, with connections to other thinkers and ideas at the bottom of each passage.

[Adrian]

I got this book about a year ago as an extremely premature purchase in preparation for studying a literature-based English degree. I didn't get in to university but nevertheless, this book has found itself in my hands so many times since for reference purposes or simply for pleasure.

This book is extremely and unusually well written for a guide to an area as dense as critical theory, and the clarity of the writing doubtlessly helps it in its demistification of some of the more opaque concepts which naturally fall into a field such as this. The clarity of the book makes it an excellent an accessible introduction to what is an often difficult and complicated area of study, helpful for students and curious readers alike.

[Graham]

This is for sorting through all of that god awful postmodern horse shit.

[AYAH]

Okay, I didn't technically read this one cover to cover, but I read most of the entries & keep going back to it for more.. I think I (slightly) prefer A Dictionary of Critical Theory besides it has a larger font which always helps when you're reading Post Modern and Postcolonial intellectual drivel!

[Jesse Ballenger]

Who reads a dictionary like this from cover to cover? I did, an entry or two per day over the last year in those five or so minutes every when you find yourself sitting down and needing something to read. Surprisingly interesting and engaging treatment of what can be a dry, abstract, forbidding topic. Obviously I won't retain 90% of what I read, but I am sure my passive knowledge has increased considerably and I found a number of interesting things I want to follow up on. Looking around for my next dictionary to take on.

[Geoffrey Rhodes]

The number one book to buy before beginning grad school... I wish I had. An amazing number of really insiteful, smart entries... the one on Hysteria is especially good.

[Matt]

Picked this up while traveling in Europe. The only reference book I've ever read for entertainment. Pretty good!

[Craig Langon]

For me, this is the de facto Critical Theory Dictionary and a much-preferred alternative over the Oxford version with it's less concise and inaccurate definitions.

[Scott]

Read it, ridiculously, cover to cover, A-Z. Great as an introductory reference to a wide variety of material or as a compliment to a theory course in college. Rewarding but challenging to read straight through, though.

[DoctorM]

Useful, straightforward, well-done. A key guide for anyone who needs a quick reference (or a quick introduction) to critical theory. A standard item here on my writing desk.

[hannaH]

This book has already saved my life twice, and I've only had it for about an hour. Possibly my new best friend.

[Dionysius the Areopagite]

read this on friend's mattress while the earth died screaming over the course of a winter. gate way.

[Daniel]

fine reference