Walter Benjamin and the Media : The Spectacle of Modernity

Walter Benjamin (1892-1940), one of the most original andperceptive thinkers of the twentieth century, offered a uniqueinsight into the profound impact of the media on modern society.Jaeho Kang’s book offers a lucid introduction toBenjamin’s theory of the media and its continuing relevancetoday.

The book provides a systematic and close reading ofBenjamin’s critical and provocative writings on theintersection between media - from print to electronic - and modernexperience, with reference to the information industry, the urbanspectacle, and the aesthetic politics. Bringing Benjamin’sthought into a critical constellation with contemporary mediatheorists such as Marshall McLuhan and Jean Baudrillard, the bookhelps students understand the implications of Benjamin’s workfor media studies today and how they can apply his distinctiveideas to contemporary media culture.

Kang’s book leads to a fresh appreciation of Benjamin’swork and new insight into critical theoretical approaches to media.The book will be of particular interest to students and researchersnot only in media and communication studies but also in culturalstudies, film studies and social theory, who are seeking a readableoverview of Benjamin’s rich yet complex writings.