Carol Jacobs Books

If Walter Benjamin (with an irony that belies his seemingly tragic life) is now recognized as one of the century's most important writers, reading him is no easy matter. Benjamin opens one of his most notable essays, "The Task of the Translator," with the words "No poem is intended for the reader, no image for the be-holder, no symphony for the listener." How does one read an author who tells us that writing does not communicate very much to the reader? How does one learn to regard what comes to us from Benjamin as something other than direct expression? Carol Jacobs' In the Language of Walter Benjamin is an attempt to come to terms with this predicament

A major new assessment of one of the most important writers of the late twentieth century and his work with history and its representation.

Set against the backdrop of the Apartheid era in South Africa, the narrative explores the profound impact of this oppressive regime on the lives of individuals and families, intertwined with a strong Christian faith. The authors reflect on how Apartheid shaped their childhood and early adulthood, influencing generations back to their ancestors. For younger readers unfamiliar with Apartheid's key features, the book includes an overview, encouraging deeper exploration of this significant historical context.