Walter Benjamin: v. 4 Selected Writings

Working at the height of his powers to the very end, Benjamin refined his theory of the mass media that culminated in the final version of his essay "The Work of Art in the Ages of its Technological Reproducibility". Also included in this volume is his influential piece "On the Concept of History", completed just before his death. The book is remarkable for its inquiry into the nature of "the modern" (especially as revealed in Baudelaire), for its ideas about the transmogrification of art and the radical discontinuities of history, and for its examples of humane life and thought in the midst of barbarism. The entire collection is eloquent testimony to the indomitable spirit of humanity under siege.

About the Author :
HOWARD EILAND is Lecturer in Literature at MIT, as well as coeditor and cotranslator of Benjamin's Arcades Project (Harvard). MICHAEL W. JENNINGS is Professor of German, Princeton University.

Review :
First things first: this is a magnificent volume. Translating the work of a gifted translator is undoubtedly a somewhat daunting task...Benjamin s "Selected Writings" is probably the most outstanding editorial achievement in modern cultural history and political thought that has been published in the last few years. Especially intellectual and social historians of early-twentieth-century Europe, who have traditionally not always paid much attention to Benjamin because of the latter s appropriation by literary theory, now have every reason to take Benjamin s writings more seriously.--Christian J. Emden"H-Net" (07/01/2007) A glance at the table of contents...shows us at once Benjamin's provocativeness and his infinite variety.--Marshall Berman "The Nation " Readers new to Benjamin will find this a welcome introduction to a challenging but rewarding writer. Those already familiar with his work will be grateful to be reminded, once again, of the wisdom of his maxim, "all the decisive blows are struck left-handed."--Graham McCann "Financial Times " The edition at hand...represents the first serious attempt to present his works with systematic chronology, judicious but inclusive selection, and sensitively accurate translation. The effect is nothing less than electric.--Peter Brier "Macgrill's Literary Annual " The final volume in this collection of the German philosopher's writing, this title covers the last three years of Benjamin's life and is masterfully translated, edited, and annotated. Presented here are Benjamin's grandest themes: the arcades of Paris, Baudelaire, the concept of remembrance, and materialist theology. Also included is the third version of Benjamin's most famous essay, "The Work of Art in the Age of Its Technological Reproducibility," which was unpublished in the author's lifetime. This essay alone makes the volume indispensable for any scholar of interwar literature, philosophy, or modern European thought. Together with the first three volumes in the set (1996-2002), this is one of the most remarkable editorial achievements in contemporary thought and politics.--M. Uebel"Choice" (12/01/2003) The latest volume of Havard's majestic annoted edition [is] exhilarating...You feel smarter just holding this book in your hand.--Michael Dirda "Washington Post Book World " The variety of subjects and the grace of a style that shines though even in translation help explain Benjamin's reputation as one of our... shrewdest commentators on literature and culture.--Frank Day "South Caroline Review " There is nothing like Benjamin, and I can hardly imagine a more rewarding book being published this year.--David Wheatley "Irish Times (Dublin) " Walter Benjamin's "Selected Writings, Volume 4, 1938-40" brings to a conclusion the magisterial series published by the Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.--Ciaran Carson"The Guardian" (12/06/2003) Whenever [Benjamin] turned his incisive gaze...the clarity of morning's first light shines forth.--Haim Chertok "Jerusalem Post " Harvard's systematic presentation of the work of German cultural critic Benjamin has proved a revelation...This is another splendid volume. Whenever ÝBenjamin¨ turned his incisive gaze...the clarity of morning's first light shines forth. -- Haim Chertok "Jerusalem Post"