Book review: Walter Benjamin: a critical life by Howard Eiland and Michael W. Jennings

Howard Eiland and Michael W. Jennings’ book maps the life of philosopher Walter Benjamin from beginning to end, tracing the roots of his thought all the way from his early childhood to his seminal work as part of the esteemed ‘Frankfurt School’, and ultimately to his last months in Paris. The biography is very well written, featuring sparse, elegant prose – a lot is said, yet a lot is left to the imagination – and it is this characteristic that ultimately makes Walter Benjamin: A Critical Life such a great read, writes Luke McDonagh.