A Cavalier History of Surrealism

By Raoul Vaneigem

A down-and-dirty survey of the surrealist movement written by leading situationist theorist Raoul Vaneigem. Vaneigem's sketch bars no holds, blistering on surrealism's artistic and political aporias, and packed with telling quotations, it gives respect where respect is due, shedding a great deal of light on situationist attitudes, negative and positive, towards their surrealist predecessors.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1873176945
• ISBN13: 9781873176948
• Release Date: July 2001
• Publisher: AK Press
• Length: 131 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Situationist author Vaneigem looks back at the surrealists

Certainly surrealism and dadaism were the intellectual fore-fathers of the situationist international. Like all children, they see good and bad in their parents. The triumphs of Dada and the failure to follow through. The artistic, the philosophical, and the political. An essential piece of the Sit history and, if such a thing can exist, canon.

Vaneigem has clarified Surrealism's Triumphs and Failures.

This book is by far the most comprehensive guide to understanding where surrealism won and lost. It goes into introducing the characters surrounding Breton, flaws and all, including their contributions ( without giving Breton all the credit ). A very informative read, mandatory for anyone aspiring to understand the revolutionary avant-garde.