Walter Benjamin

MARGARETE KOHLENBACH is Lecturer in German and European Studies at the University of Sussex. As an author, her work has been published in German and English.

'This is by far the best book on Walter Benjamin I have ever read. It is very clear, very thoughtful, and comprehensive in its treatment of its subject and of the voluminous secondary literature, without, however, getting bogged down in scholastic disputes with other commentators.' - Raymond Geuss, Reader in Philosophy, University of Cambridge

• Acknowledgements Introduction References and Abbreviations PART I: LANGUAGE Spiritual Self-expression The Self-communication of Language Suspended Revelation PART II: LITERATURE Religious Decisionism and Art Literary Self-reflection Criticism PART III: HISTORY AND TECHNIK Performative Continuity Mortification The Red Flag Technik The Invincible Dwarf Notes Bibliography Index