Jacques Derrida : A Biography

At the time of his death in 2004, Jacques Derrida was arguably the most influential and the most controversial thinker in contemporary philosophy. Deconstruction, the movement that he founded, has received as much criticism as admiration and provoked one of the most contentious philosophical debates of the twentieth century. Jacques Derrida: A Biography offers for the first time a complete biographical overview of this important philosopher, drawing on Derrida's own accounts of his life as well as the narratives of friends and colleagues. Powell explores Derrida's early life in Algeria, his higher education in Paris and his development as a thinker. Jacques Derrida: A Biography provides an essential and engaging account of this major philosopher's remarkable life and work. At The Time Of His Death In 2004, Jacques Derrida Was Arguably The Most Influential And The Most Controversial Thinker In Contemporary Philosophy. This Title Offers A Biographical Overview Of This Important Philosopher, Drawing On Derrida's Own Accounts Of His Life, As Well As The Narratives Of Friends And Colleagues. Algeria -- Paris And The Ens -- After Ens -- The First Book -- Against Structuralism -- Structures In French Thought -- 1967 -- Avant-garde Philosophy -- America: Derrida As Literary Theory -- Glas -- Greph -- Yale -- The Post Card -- Nietzsche And Heidegger -- The 1980s -- 1987-90, Deconstruction And National Socialism -- Autobiographical Years, 1990-91 -- The Future Of Democracy And The Very Worst Moment Of Capitalism -- Derrida's World: Confronting Marx -- The Politics Of Friendship -- Derrida's Religion -- Thoughtful Welcoming Of The Other, Death -- 2000 Onwards. Jason Powell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [237]-243) And Index.

Jacques Derrida: A Biography is the first complete biographical overview of this important philosopher, drawing on Derrida's own accounts of his life as well as the narratives of friends and colleagues. Powell explores Derrida's early life in Algeria, his higher education in Paris and his development as a thinker, before examining the extraordinary influence of his published works and the celebrity status that he achieved in both Europe and the USA. Powell examines the crisis Derrida faced toward the end of the 1970s, when structuralism was waning, and describes his renewed efforts to create a public forum for deconstruction, often in the face of fierce criticism from the popular press. He concludes with an account of Derrida's last years and publications, focusing on his thoughts on fame, life, and death.

At the time of his death in 2004, Jacques Derrida was arguably the most influential and the most controversial thinker in contemporary philosophy. Deconstruction, the movement that he founded, has received as much criticism as admiration and provoked one of the most contentious philosophical debates of the twentieth century. Powell explores Derrida's early life in Algeria, his higher education in Paris and his development as a thinker, before examining the extraordinary influence of his published works, and the celebrity status that he achieved in both Europe and the United States