Description: In these essays, Benjamin challenges the image of Baudelaire as late-Romantic dreamer, and evokes instead the modern poet caught in a life-or-death struggle with the forces of the urban commodity capitalism that had emerged in Paris around 1850.
Brief description: Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) was the author of many works of literary and cultural analysis.
Review Quotes: Brilliant essays.--Richard Wolin "The Nation" (10/16/2006 12:00:00 AM)