Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Containing over 750 in-depth entries, this is the most wide-ranging and up-to-date dictionary of critical theory available. This authoritative guide covers the whole range of critical theory, including the Frankfurt school, cultural materialism, cultural studies, gender studies, film studies, literary theory, hermeneutics, historical materialism, and socio-political critical theory. Entries clearly explain complex theoretical discourses such as Marxism, psychoanalysis, structuralism, deconstruction, and postmodernism. There are biographies of hundreds of important figures in the field, with feature entries for those who have heavily influenced areas of the discipline, such as Derrida and Deleuze.This new edition of the dictionary has been updated to extend coverage of diaspora, race and postcolonial theory, including key authors such as C. L. R. James and Paul Gilroy, and of queer and sexuality studies, including notable figures such as Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick. Fully revised to keep up to date with this diverse field, this new edition expands the coverage to include entries such as hyperobject and transgender.Entries are fully cross-referenced and many contain further reading suggestions. Covering all aspects of critical theory from globalization and race studies, to queer theory and feminism, this multidisciplinary A-Z is essential for students in the humanities and social sciences.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Critical theory, broadly construed beyond its origin in the Frankfurt School, is the social, political, historical, and aesthetic critique of human practices and institutions that stems primarily from Marxist philosophy. Encompassing philosophy, the social sciences, literature, and the arts, critical theory is interdisciplinary in nature and broad in scope. A dictionary that tries to encompass the major figures and concepts of such a large field of inquiry in a relatively small paperback is ambitious, but Buchanan (Cardiff Univ., Wales) does a remarkable job in the 750-plus entries here. He claims that overlap exists between this new dictionary and Simon Blackburn's Dictionary of Philosophy (2nd ed., rev.; CH, Jun'09, 46-5361) and Chris Baldick's The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms (3rd ed., CH, Feb'09, 46-2989); however, this more focused volume will be particularly helpful for students, both undergraduate and graduate, who are encountering critical theory for the first time. From "abject" to "Zizek," this dictionary provides a meaningful introduction to critical theory and serves as a handy reference.Despite the extraordinary difficulty of conveying key concepts and complex material within the scope of very short dictionary-style entries, Buchanan generally does an admirable job. Considering the content, the writing is clear and direct, yet generally communicates the sophistication of the ideas. One criticism of the dictionary's entries on key figures is that they often explore biography in more depth than the individuals' ideas and intellectual contributions. Some particularly helpful features include asterisked words and phrases cross-referenced to the dictionary entries, quality suggestions for further reading, and longer highlighted selections of particularly important people and concepts. However, at the time of this review, the promised Web links were not available on Oxford's Web site as advertised. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and graduate students. J. L. Eagan CSU East Bay