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The Idea of a Critical Theory: Habermas and the Frankfurt School (Modern European Philosophy)

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Certainly, this is not an introduction to the Frankfurt School, although some seem to believe as much. It should be read alongside Horkheimer's essay, 'Traditional and Critical Theory,' Habermas' essay 'Between Philosophy and Science: Marxism as Critique,' and Adorno's 'Why Still Philosophy?'
Like those essays, this book is programmatic: what *would* a critical theory do? And is such a theory possible? So there is not a lot in here about the actual substance of any given critical theory. Nothing much about 'communicative rationality,' not much about 'negative dialectics,' not much about the 'one-dimensional society.' Rather, this book tries to explain what those projects are meant to achieve.
Given this aim, Geuss succeeds admirably. The book is clear and precise. It doesn't have that kick of rebellion that you can find in Zizek or Badiou's popular works, or the slightly mystifying air of Adorno's worst work, or the hipness of Marcuse's. Some people will say this is a bad thing, and criticize Geuss for putting these ideas in clear, precise prose. Although that's bizarre anyway, it's even more ridiculous when you consider that Habermas - the topic of the book, after all - himself uses the language of analytic philosophy. One could make the case that Adorno shouldn't be squeezed into the language of analytic philosophy, but Habermas squeezes himself into it, to his detriment.
The one downside is that the focus here is on *individuals,* which is necessary for analytic ethical philosophy. 'Society,' which is really the object of critique, doesn't get much of a look in. This is a shame, but on the other hand, the book mainly deals with Habermas, and he too uses this action-theory-esque language. It's also odd that Geuss prefers Adorno's project, but focuses on Habermas. I guess the latter's just easier to write about.