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Benjamin's -abilities

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Samuel Weber mentions at the end of this stirring engagement with the writing and thought of Walter Benjamin that this work had a gestation of about forty years. Given the patient teasing of German words and suffixes throughout, of their etymological and allegorical valences, it does not surprise that this book represents a lifetime of work and thought. The book is divided into two main parts: the first explores key forms, stylistic tics and themes in Benjamin's writing, as on media, translation and history. Weber inaugurates the second section, largely readings of Benjamin's readings or readings of others with Benjamin, with a soaring journey through The Origin of German Tragic Drama (1924). The final chapter on "Seagulls" glides the reader to a gently rocking conclusion, allowing one to lean back to better focus on the horizon of one's thoughts. This book is peppered with engagements with other philosophers such as Aristotle, Kant, Deleuze, Schmitt, and Derrida. One chapter possesses the subtitle: "Agamben Reading Benjamin Reading Kafka Reading Cervantes...", perhaps revealing Weber's predilection for provocative synchronic passages. This book revealed a new Benjamin to me and I am grateful for the guiding thoughtfulness of its author.