Michel de Certeau
Cultural Theorist
- Ian Buchanan - Charles Darwin University, Australia
Ian Buchanan demonstrates how de Certeau was influenced by Lacan, Merleau-Ponty and Greimas and the meaning of de Certeau's notions of `strategy', `tactics', `place' and `space' are clearly described. The book argues that de Certeau died before developing the full import of his work for the study of culture and convincingly, it tries to complete or imagine the directions that de Certeau's work would have taken, had he lived.
`Ian Buchanan has written the first sustained analysis and interpretation of the works of Michel de Certeau. Buchanan is convincing, comprehensive and fair. He tackles the question of de Certeau's religious commitments as well as his equally tough theoretical issues. Buchanan is well versed in the relevant literature. He has done well by de Certeau, a person of great theoretical importance and great personal integrity' - Mark Poster
`This is a remarkable analysis and explication of the work of Michel de Certeau. It will be indispensable both to those who are already familiar with a portion of Certeau's writing, and to those who sense Certeau's importance but have not yet entered the world of his work. Buchanen's insights are powerful and thoughtful and his writing is clear and accessible. A fine critical book on a remarkable figure in cultural theory, psychoanalysis, and history' - Ricard Terdiman
