Synopsis
"[Mythologies] illustrates the beautiful generosity of Barthes's progressive interest in the meaning (his word is signification) of practically everything around him, not only the books and paintings of high art, but also the slogans, trivia, toys, food, and popular rituals (cruises, striptease, eating, wrestling matches) of contemporary life . . . For Barthes, words and objects have in common the organized capacity to say something; at the same time, since they are signs, words and objects have the bad faith always to appear natural to their consumer, as if what they say is eternal, true, necessary, instead of arbitrary, made, contingent. Mythologies finds Barthes revealing the fashioned systems of ideas that make it possible, for example, for 'Einstein's brain' to stand for, be the myth of, 'a genius so lacking in magic that one speaks about his thought as a functional labor analogous to the mechanical making of sausages.' Each of the little essays in this book wrenches a definition out of a common but constructed object, making the object speak its hidden, but ever-so-present, reservoir of manufactured sense."--Edward W. Said
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Review
"Barthes is an intellectual star, one of the very small group of maîtres à penser, such as Sartre, Levi-Strauss and Foucault... I readily proclaim that Mythologies is a kind of masterpiece, a fascinating book, the meaning of which sticks in the mind and can lend itself to all sorts of applications" (Observer)
"Essays on the codings that command our daily life (from hair-styles in the film of Julius Caesar through glossy photos of gourmet cooking, to the cult of foam in detergents)...Mythologies has penetrating gusto" (Christopher Ricks Sunday Times)
"Semiology is the study of the signs and signals, the symbols, gestures and messages through which western society sustains, sells, identifies and yet obscures itself by painting or powdering over its raddled, whore-like visage... Barthes' purpose is to tear away masks and demystify the signs, signals and symbols of the language of mass culture" (Dennis Potter The Times)
"All about the most ordinary things. He knew how to connect Racine and beach holidays, Freud and the anticipation of a lover's phone call. Like so many modern artists, he saw the deeper themes running through supposedly banal things." (Alain de Botton Daily Express)
Book Description
Beautiful reissue of this unique classic collection, featuring a newly translated essay not included in previous collections
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Mythologies
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_463925895
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Mythologies
Seller: HPB-Ruby, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_469026770
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Mythologies
Seller: Blue Vase Books, Interlochen, MI, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: acceptable. The item is very worn but is perfectly usable. Signs of wear can include aesthetic issues such as scratches, dents, worn and creased covers, folded page corners and minor liquid stains. All pages and the cover are intact, but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include moderate to heavy amount of notes and highlighting, but the text is not obscured or unreadable. Page edges may have foxing age related spots and browning . May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials. Seller Inventory # BVV.080901369X.A
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Mythologies
Seller: Infinite Minds, Greenfield, MA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Pages crisp, clean, and bright. Seller Inventory # DL2O-080901369X
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Mythologies
Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Acceptable. Acceptable, Reading copy only, with writing/markings, bumps/creasing, and heavy wear. Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # mon0000266716
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Mythologies
Seller: Roundabout Books, Greenfield, MA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Near Fine. Excellent, unmarked copy with little wear and tight binding. We ship in recyclable American-made mailers. 100% money-back guarantee on all orders. Seller Inventory # 1747876
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Mythologies
Seller: Bookworm Books, Tifton, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Good-. 158pp, The author discusses signs and symbols in everyday society, such as Einstein's brain. Extensively highlighted, with some dog-eared pages, cover worn. Size: 8vo - over 7?" - 9?" tall. Book. Seller Inventory # 003302
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Mythologies
Seller: Book Booth, Berea, OH, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. Minor writing to text; binding tight; minor wear to covers. 159 pages. English translation by Annette Lavers. Size: 5 1/2" x 8". Seller Inventory # S270-060000
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Mythologies
Seller: Miranda Books & Ephemera, Easthampton, MA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Softcover. Condition: Very Good+. VERY GOOD+. Very mild, if any shelf wear. Cover clean all around. Spine shows sunning, but no creasing. binding tight and square. Appears unread. Interior clean, pages show some toning consistent with age and paper type. Unmarked on inspection. Seller Inventory # 2604230004
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Mythologies
Seller: Blue Mountain Collectibles, LLC, Front Royal, VA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Softcover. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # BK2774