French Theory: How Foucault, Derrida, Deleuze, & Co. Transformed the Intellectual Life of the United States
by: Cusset, Francois

Softcover. Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Press, 3rd pr., 2008, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: None, Softcover, 388 pages. Translated by Jeff Fort. French Theory is the first comprehensive account of the American fortunes of these unlikely philosophical celebrities. Francois Cusset looks at why America proved to be such fertile ground for French theory, how such demanding writings could become so widely influential, and the peculiarly American readings of these works. Reveling in the gossipy history, Cusset also provides a lively exploration of the many provocative critical practices inspired by French theory. Ultimately, he dares to shine a bright light on the exultation of these thinkers to assess the relevance of critical theory to social and political activism today-showing, finally, how French theory has become inextricably bound with American life. Clean copy.