Review by Library Journal Review
Hullot-Kentor, who has translated philosopher and social critic Theodor W. Adorno's work (Aesthetic Theory) and has taught philosophy, literature, and the arts at various major American universities, offers a collection of 16 essays from the past 20 years that examine Adorno's theoretical development, writing, and cowriters. Many of the essays have been revised, with attention to the relevance of Adorno's thought to the United States today. While Adorno's own style is dense and requires deliberation on the reader's part, Hullot-Kentor's writing is incisive, sometimes even light. Not all of the essays are accessible to readers unfamiliar with their subject's original work, but some-e.g., "Second Salvage"-would intrigue most thoughtful and educated lay readers. A few essays seem misplaced, as they do not connect their topics-e.g., Samuel Beckett, Walter Benjamin-explicitly to Adorno's aesthetics. The final essay, "The Idea of Natural-History," is by Adorno himself. For scholarly collections.-Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley P.L., CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Library Journal Review
