Overview

Psychogeography. In recent years this term has been used to illustrate a bewildering array of ideas from ley lines and the occult, to urban walking and political radicalism. But where does it come from and what exactly does it mean? This book examines the origins of psychogeography in the Paris of the 1950s, exploring the theoretical background and its political application in the work of Guy Debord and the Situationists. Psychogeography continues to find retrospective validation in much earlier traditions, from the visionary writing of William Blake and Thomas De Quincey to the rise of the flneur and the avant-garde experimentatin of the Surrealists. These precursors to psychogeography are discussed here alongside their modern counterparts, for today these ideas hold greater currency than ever through the popularity of writers and filmmakers such as Iain Sinclair, Will Self and Patrick Keiller. From the urban wanderer to the armchair traveller, psychogeography provides us with new ways of experiencing our environment, transforming the familiar streets of our everyday experience into something new and unexpected. Merlin Coverley conducts the reader through this process, providing an explanation of the terms involved and an analysis of the key figures and their works.

Full Product Details

9780857302175

Table of Contents

Reviews

This little book does exactly what an introduction should; it examines, explains, and whets the appetite... It has an extensive bibliography and an index of websites, research into which has been clearly and cogently utilised. It is a short, but valuable, book. --Telegraph A timely and welcome--if also a rather short and extremely accessible--introductory book. . . . Coverley's clarity is a real strength, and Psychogeography is an ideal book for anyone wanting a brief overview of some of the key names, ideas, texts and places associated with the subject. --Literary London

This little book does exactly what an introduction should; it examines, explains, and whets the appetite... It has an extensive bibliography and an index of websites, research into which has been clearly and cogently utilised. It is a short, but valuable, book. --Telegraph

Praise for Merlin Coverley This succinct book is a definite first port of call for anyone interested in this most esoteric of theories. A portmanteau of information, a pin-pointing of psychogeography's literary impact and standing, and a stimulating read. - 3AM Magazine This little book [Psychogeography] does exactly what an introduction should; it examines, explains, and whets the appetite. - Telegraph Moving between geography and mythology, literature and history, [South] is the first book to look at all things southern in one volume. - Nick Rennison Highly recommended. - Cauldron Coverley's approach is an enlightening one. - Huffington Post UK South takes in an impressive array of artists, from Samuel Taylor Coleridge to Jorge Luis Borges, while Coverley comes up with some astute readings of great literature, and has a perceptive eye for how tourism has shaped our understanding of place. - Herald Splendid, scholarly and suffused with evocative stories and biographical sketches. - Booklist on The Art of Wandering

A timely and welcome--if also a rather short and extremely accessible--introductory book. . . . Coverley's clarity is a real strength, and Psychogeography is an ideal book for anyone wanting a brief overview of some of the key names, ideas, texts and places associated with the subject. --Literary London This little book does exactly what an introduction should; it examines, explains, and whets the appetite... It has an extensive bibliography and an index of websites, research into which has been clearly and cogently utilised. It is a short, but valuable, book. --Telegraph

Author Information

Merlin Coverley is the author of seven books: London Writing, Psychogeography, Occult London, Utopia, The Art of Wandering, South and Hauntology. He lives in London.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available