The Birth of the Clinic [Paperback]

In this remarkable book Michel Foucault, one of the most influential thinkers of recent times, calls us to look critically at specific historical events in order to uncover new layers of significance. In doing so, he challenges our assumptions not only about history, but also about the nature of language and reason, even of truth. The scope of such an undertaking is vast, but by means of his uniquely engaging narrative style, Foucaults penetrating gaze is skilfully able to confront our own. After reading his words our perceptions are never quite the same again.

1. Spaces and Classes 2. A Political Consciousness 3. The Free Field 4. The Old Age of the Clinic 5. The Lesson of the Hospitals 6. Signs and Cases 7. Seeing and Knowing 8. Open Up a Few Corpses 9. The Visible Invisible 10. Crisis in FeversFoucault (1926-84) was one of the foremost thinkers of the twentieth century. He was part of the ultimate intellectual generation in France