Introducing Postmodernism

By: Richard Appignanesi

Narrated by: William Roberts

What on earth is postmodernism? Here, at last, is the perfect audio guide to the maddeningly enigmatic concept that has been used to describe our cultural condition of the late-20th and early-21st centuries.

Postmodernism claims that "modernity", which grew from the Enlightenment to the Industrial Revolution and Marxism, has collapsed. We now live in an endlessly "contemporary" culture, a virtual world of "hyperreality" containing such strange phenomena as post-Holocaust amnesia, Disneyland, cyberspace, and Fukuyama's proclaimed "end of history".

Richard Appignanesi, author of the best-selling book Introducing Postmodernism, takes the listener on a roller-coaster ride through the key areas of postmodern debate and explains the essentials of structuralism, semiotics, and deconstruction as developed by Foucault, Levi-Strauss, Barthes, Derrida, Lacan, Lyotard, and others. It is a crucial guide for anyone wanting to understand the hall of mirrors that is postmodernism.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2005 Naxos AudioBooks Ltd. (P)2005 Naxos AudioBooks Ltd.

Critic reviews

"Brilliantly wide-ranging." (Sunday Times)

"A perfect match of form and content." (Times Educational Supplement)

interesting though difficult to understand start

What made the experience of listening to Introducing Postmodernism the most enjoyable?

It is accurate to the confusion your feel when trying to understand postmodernism.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The desire to overcome the phenomenon which is postmodernism.

What about William Roberts’s performance did you like?

sure

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Postmodernism really at the root leaves you feeling less and less human in the end even though there are some very good aspects that have taken place because of the concern for others and there plight.

Post Modernism Dramatized

Wonderful fun! The exquisite plurality of voices speak the text and playfully materialize the fragmentation of the subject!

very good!

A very quick and entering overview of Modernism. Very good performances from the many voice actors. 5/5

Good intro.

A little cheesy and a little scatter-brained, but that's the way it goes with Postmodernism. I'm left with wanting to know more and to have a better grasp of what connects it all together.

A very brief introduction

What did you like best about Introducing Postmodernism? What did you like least?

It did cover the topic broadly

Would you recommend Introducing Postmodernism to your friends? Why or why not?

Probably not. I think there are better intros to this subject area

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

These questions are stupid. This is a non fiction book!

Any additional comments?

OK but not great