Abstract

Commenting on the reception of Merleau-Ponty's work in professional circles, Bannan writes that, in the years immediately following the publication of Phenomenology of Perception, studies on its author tended to be "simply expositions of the position, coupled with cautious attempts to situate it in relation to familiar landmarks". Though Bannan's work does not represent an advance beyond this stage, several good things must be said of it. First this effort provides an excellent compendium of all the works of Merleau-Ponty. It achieves, beyond a popularizing intent, that all-important first look at the author's thought, which must precede analysis and criticism. Secondly the book will serve serious pedagogical purposes. Bannan's abundant bibliographical footnoting preserves for the student the immediate and familiar landmarks above mentioned. Finally Bannan's book can be of use in the study of some of the main themes covered by Merleau-Ponty. The well drawn syntheses of the relation between consciousness and nature, and the relationship of consciousness with consciousness, constitute as excellent an access to these topics as can be found in current literature.—A. M.