"Merleau-Ponty's concept of perception provided a platform not only for criticising the prejudices of 'classical' thought, but also for a vast range of writings on politics (from an unaligned 'revolutionary socialist' standpoint), literature, and art. [This book] functions like an ideal biography. It gives us a sense of Merleau-Ponty in his 'carnal singularity'; and it makes you realise how desperately sad it is that in 1961, when he was in his early fifties, and full of plans and hopes, he died." -- Jonathan Ree, "Radical Philosophy"
"What we find in these pieces that span Merleau-Ponty's career is a philosopher coming to terms with social and political shifts, intellectual currents, and the movements of history in the midst of which he found himself." -- Wayne J. Froman, "Canadian Philosophical Review"
"The introduction...provides the best intellectual biography of Merleau-Ponty currently available in English. It is comprehensive, highly condensed, and affords the reader a capsule vision of Merleau-Ponty's development as a thinker." -- M.C. Dillon, Distinguished Teaching Professor, SUNY, Binghamton
"Maurice Merleau-Ponty commented widely, in journals and weeklies, on major issues in politics and major shifts in post-war European culture. He was so scrupulously informed on what he wrote about, with vigor and originality, that many of these writings have hardly dated and will enrich the debates of today. This volume also contains some evaluations Merleau-Ponty made of, and positions he took with regard to, the philosophical writings of his contemporaries. These shed significant light on his own published books of philosophy." -- Alphonso Lingis, Professor of Philosophy, Pennsylvania State University
"Among the recent books on Merleau-Ponty, this one will prove most useful and interesting, revealing unknown aspects of his thought, further clarifying his philosophy. It is also important because these works are not otherwise available, even in French." -- M.R. Barral, "Choice"
"The writings of Merleau-Ponty contained in this volume span the entire length of his philosophical career from 1933 to 1960 . . . TEXTS AND DIALOGUES is an indispensable book for anybody seeking a serious knowledge of Merleau-Ponty's philosophical itinerary, as well as for the grain of his voice that we hear throughout." -- Bernard Flynn, "Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal"
