Understanding Foucault
A Critical Introduction
- Professor John Frow, University of Melbourne
"This is a clear and understandable book, starting with a very helpful glossary of theoretical terms... an accessible introduction to Foucault's major work exploring power and control, governmentality and ethics which are crucial for students to understand."
- Tracy Ramsey, Liverpool Hope University
"A very good accompaniment to any student thinking seriously about following the work of Foucault... Easy to follow, very well structured."
- Mark Timoney, Sligo Institute of Technology
Michel Foucault is now regarded as one of the most important thinkers of the twentieth century. He is known for his sensibility of critique and his commitment to movements for social change. His analysis of the ways our notions of truth, meaning, knowledge and reason are shaped by historical forces continues to influence thinkers around the world.
Understanding Foucault offers a comprehensive introduction to Foucault's work. The authors examine Foucault's thinking in the context of the philosophies he engaged with during his career, and the events he participated in, including the student protests of 1968. A unique feature of the book is its consideration of recently published lectures and minor works, and the authors show how these illuminate and extend our understanding of Foucault's major books.
Understanding Foucault provides an accessible entrée to the world of this extraordinary and challenging philosopher.
An outstandingly good introduction to Foucault's work: lucid, measured, well organised, and covering this complex and in many ways heterogeneous body of work with remarkable thoroughness and ease.
A great recommendation for understanding.
This book is a great introductory text to students and those new to Foucault. Where it importantly differs from other introductory texts is that it draws from (and provides references to) a different set of sources - a series of lectures that Foucault gave from 1973-83. It thus enriches the concepts such as power/knowledge, governmentality and discipline.
A good book for the more able students to use.
This is a clear and understandable book, starting with a very helpful glossary of theoretical terms.
This book provides an accessible introduction to Foucault's major work exploring power and control, governmentality and , ethics which are crucial for students to understand.
A good book that will relate the topic to the sociological concepts that Foucault puts forward.
An excellent and useful text which I have recommended for my second and third years.
This is a good starting point for students who may want to use the ideas of Foucault in their research work. It is well written and easily accessible breaking down the component philosophical constructs that can be difficult to understand. It can offer students the basic knowledge that they can build on.
A good primer for introducing studnets to key aspects of Foucault's corpus of conecpts
