Author: SETTIS, S.,
Title: The Future of the 'Classical'. Translated by A. Cameron.
Description: Polity, Cambridge UK / Malden US,2006. VI,136p. Paperback. Nice copy. 'The beginning and final portions of this brief book offer a description and critique of, and a prescription for understanding, the concept of 'classical' in the post-modern period. In between are a series of essays interpreting the application and development of the concept of 'classical' from antiquity to the present in Western and contemporary globalised culture. The sixteen short chapters offer erudite, thought-provoking essays on various aspects of our intellectual and cultural history and, indeed, the very discipline many of us contemplate, investigate and teach on a daily basis. (...) Both the special genius and the deficiency of this book lie in the attempt at defining the essence of the classical in the post-modern period. The post-modern period is as yet so ill defined, lacking both chronological and stylistic parameters, that S. can only begin to propose a definition and offer an analysis of how the classical has been adapted within those parameters, and question whether it has been successful or disastrous, let alone formulate a prognosis for the future. (...) S. understandably concentrates for the most part on examples from the fiels of art history and architectural history, where post-modern classical motifs have indeed often been fragmented and seem thoroughly devoid of their original sturctural purpose. I would like to think that within such genres as film, literature and political science the search for the post-modern usage of classical concepts and motifs will produce more illustrative examples of organic integration.' (J. SOLOMON in The Classical Review (New Series), 2008, pp.610-611).

Keywords: 9780745635996