- Paperback: 428 pages
- Publisher: University of Chicago Press; New edition edition (2 July 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0226042626
- ISBN-13: 978-0226042626
- Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 13.4 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 644,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Geoffrey Bennington sets out here to write a systematic account of the thought of Jacques Derrida. Responding to Bennington's text at every turn is Derrida's own, excerpts from his life and thought that resist circumscription. Together these texts, as a dialogue and a contest, constitute a critical introduction to one of the leading philosophers of the 20th century. Bennington's account of Derrida leads the reader through the philosopher's work on language and writing, and through more mysterious themes of signature, sexual difference, law, and affirmation. Seeking to escape this systematic rendering - in fact, to prove it impossible - Derrida interweaves Bennington's text with surprising and disruptive "periphrases": reflections on his mother's death agony, commentaries on St. Augustine's "Confessions", memories of childhood, remarks on Judaism, and references to his collaborator's efforts.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Bennington's introduction to Derrida is, by the standards of the genre, an easy read. By the conventions of writing in/on deconstruction, that is a wounding criticism, but for the rest of us it's a blessing. The book (GB's part, that is) comes close to making Derrida comprehensible without travestying the original work. Several words in that last sentence would need - and get - very tedious chapter-length apologies in a typical "deconstructive" text.
Derrida's rambling text, running alongside (below) GB's, can safely be completely ignored by those turning to this book for an introductory idea of what was interesting about JD in the first place. Or you can read it if you like - but the Derrida novice might find earlier works such as "Speech and Phenomena", "Margins of Philosophy", "Of Grammatology", "Writing and Difference" and (a little later) "Limited Inc" more accessible and maybe even more rewarding.
Derrida's rambling text, running alongside (below) GB's, can safely be completely ignored by those turning to this book for an introductory idea of what was interesting about JD in the first place. Or you can read it if you like - but the Derrida novice might find earlier works such as "Speech and Phenomena", "Margins of Philosophy", "Of Grammatology", "Writing and Difference" and (a little later) "Limited Inc" more accessible and maybe even more rewarding.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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4 reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Essential
8 July 2007
Format:Paperback
It is clear that Bennington "gets" Derrida in this work. Bennington is easily one of the (maybe) 2 or 3 persons alive that are even nearly qualified to "finish Derrida's sentence." Everything I read of his is almost as if Derrida, himself, were writing.
Though an excellent look at exactly what Derrida is up to in his early days from Grammatology to Glas, this is not for the beginner. "Deconstruction in a Nutshell" by John Caputo and "How to Read Derrida" by Penelope Deutscher are better for introductory purposes.
This work was indispensable for me, as I was introduced to Derrida through his later works and had very little idea how his whole project began in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
If you are fairly experienced in theory, I would recommend laboring through this work, then re-reading it a couple years later after further work with Derrida, Heidegger, etc. It will clear up a lot of question marks while opening up new, more exciting ones.
Though an excellent look at exactly what Derrida is up to in his early days from Grammatology to Glas, this is not for the beginner. "Deconstruction in a Nutshell" by John Caputo and "How to Read Derrida" by Penelope Deutscher are better for introductory purposes.
This work was indispensable for me, as I was introduced to Derrida through his later works and had very little idea how his whole project began in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
If you are fairly experienced in theory, I would recommend laboring through this work, then re-reading it a couple years later after further work with Derrida, Heidegger, etc. It will clear up a lot of question marks while opening up new, more exciting ones.
Fine Intro to Derrida
14 May 2009
Format:Paperback
Bennington/Derrida's coauthored text is a creative (and often lucid) attempt to demonstrate deconstruction, as well as the life and work of the ever bewitching Derrida. Bennington's contribution is one of the finest attempts at an explanation of Derrida's work yet available. He attempts to systematize deconstruction through a rigorous reading of Derrida's moves and positions from the early work found in 'Writing and Difference,' to the later texts regarding politics and religion. Derrida contributes his 'Circumfession,' a free-wheeling text devoted to the idea of the confession found in St. Augustine (and of course Rousseau), while at the same time providing an opportunity for Derrida to reflect on memories from his life. The circumfession is also a demonstration that deconstruction cannot be systematized, as Bennington's commentary fails to truly 'pin down' the life of Derrida as made evident in this curious little text. Admittedly, I found most of 'Circumfession' hard-going and uninteresting. Perhaps there is simply too much about Derrida's penis. Nevertheless, this book is one of the finest of critical commentaries available.
Perfect for basic and advance understanding of Derrida
28 Mar 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is a extraordinary book. It Gives you a perfect way to introduce you to Derrida's project (if it is possible to say a "project") of deconstruction and if you have already read something of Derrida it gives you a way of get deeper in Derrida's way of thinking.
Goffrey Bennington worked close to Derrida in order to achieve this book in a very faithful way to Derrida's thought. Derrida himself write the supplement (If you allow me the irony)of this book, it is very interesting see how Derrida think about himself.
Goffrey Bennington worked close to Derrida in order to achieve this book in a very faithful way to Derrida's thought. Derrida himself write the supplement (If you allow me the irony)of this book, it is very interesting see how Derrida think about himself.
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