Critical Theory and Society: A Reader

by Max Horkheimer

Book Overview

A collection of seminal essays, many appearing in English for the first time, which provides an excellent overview of the critical theory developed by the Frankfurt School. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415900417
• ISBN13: 9780415900416
• Release Date: May 1990
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 326 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

The beginning of thought

This book was part of a theory class I had in an English graduate class. Based on writings from members of the Frankfurt School, this book provides an overview of key insights of the school. At the most, it offers suggestions of how messed up society (read the culture machine) really is. Further, the writings, by several Frankfurt members, demonstrates their level of understanding of the current situation of the 1920s up to even our current day. This current situation I write of refers directly to the subversive use of ad campaigns, even of political ones! At the very least, it makes the reader consider why (and how, what next, etc) the current social and cultural struggles will soon (if not all ready) come to the foreground. Overall, by carefully reading this book (and I do mean carefully!), the reader can understand the basis for the Frankfurt School and why certain untalked about or unpopular topics (such as surplus consciousness) are so very important to human life and advancement. Further, how corporate institutions have a choking foothold on our throat, by suggesting that we really need that new gadget or those new shoes when in reality we are just trying to "keep up with the Jones'." However, I sense a degreee of optimism for human life that is very important. The Frankfurt School posed these questions (or problems) for people to look and perhaps create change. And afterall, isn't life all about change for the better? namaste.