Dictionary of Visual Discourse

Reviews / Votes

'Far more than just a dry compilation of standard definitions, Barry Sandywell's Dictionary of Visual Discourse is a boldly ambitious exercise in the verbal reconstitution of a field. Idiosyncratic, learned, rigorous and utterly original, it is destined to become an invaluable resource in the library of anyone struggling to make sense of the interdisciplinary world of visual culture studies'. Martin Jay, University of California Berkeley, USA

'With this book Sandywell has made a storming intellectual intervention into the field of visual studies. It will be difficult for anyone working within this arena in the future to avoid reference to this outstanding work'. Professor Chris Jenks, Vice Chancellor and Principal, Brunel University, UK

'Sandywell's "dialectical lexicon" of terms relevant to the study of visual culture is highly unusual, far exceeding in scope and depth the application to a limited range of familiar visual topics ideas and themes somewhat narrowly derived from cultural studies. The work is very ambitious, ranging across the role played by notions and practices of "vision" and "envisioning" in philosophy, social theory and cultural theory, persuasively arguing that a phenomenon as important as the visual culture of late modern societies requires such a radical analysis. Sandywell pulls off the challenge in this lucid, adventurous, rewarding and original work'. Ian Heywood, Lancaster University, UK

'...Definitions are comprehensive, historically rich, and full of references that will assist readers in understanding and applying entries. Sophisticated and challenging... will be valuable for students and scholars in social sciences, philosophy, and the visual arts... Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above.' Choice

'This work will appeal most readily to those working in the visual, textual, and philosophical areas of knowledge and exploration. It will be of special interest to faculty and those pursuing graduate studies in those disciplines.' American Reference Books Annual