The Passion Of Michel Foucault [Paperback]

Based on extensive new research and a bold interpretation of the man and his texts,The Passion of Michel Foucaultis a startling look at one of this century's most influential philosophers. It chronicles every stage of Foucault's personal and professional odyssey, from his early interest in dreams to his final preoccupation with sexuality and the nature of personal identity.Miller gives us the portrait of a vibrant, incandescent, fearless, and luminous mind--yes, perhaps self-destructive and all too human, but one that can never be accused of banality, mediocrity, pettiness, or naivet?.[A] bold and brilliant reconstruction of Foucault's life and thought...Miller's argument is persuasive.Probably the best general introduction to Foucault's later thinking.Miller's controversial book is the product of prodigious research...[H]e discusses madness, death, and homosexuality, and particularly sadomasochism in great, graphic, almost sensational detail.James Miller's impressively documented study of Foucault's life in philosophy is an electric, disturbing, and brilliantly provocative work, truly worthy of its subject, and essential companion to a reading of late twentieth century Western culture.James Miller may shock some readers with his way of talking about both sex and philosophy, Nietzsche and AIDS, theories of knowledge and sadomasochism, but out of these contrasting elements he constructs a heroic life, one that illustrates the very notion Foucault developed late in his career, the idea that a philosopher's life should be exemplary and that he himself should be a lover of wisdom, a seeker of truth.Based on extensive new research and a bold interpretation of the man and his texts, this book provides a startling look at one of this centurys most influential philosophers. It chronicles every stage of Foucaults personal and professional odyssey, from his early interest in dreams to his final preoccupation with sexuality and personal identity.