In this remarkable book Michel Foucault, one of the most influential thinkers of recent times, calls us to look critically at specific historical events in order to uncover new layers of significance. In doing so, he challenges our assumptions not only about history, but also about the nature of language and reason, even of truth. The scope of such an undertaking is vast, but by means of his uniquely engaging narrative style, Foucault’s penetrating gaze is skilfully able to confront our own. After reading his words our perceptions are never quite the same again.

Michel Foucault (1926-84) was one of the foremost thinkers of the twentieth century. He was part of the ultimate intellectual generation in France.

Reviews

'The Birth of the Clinic repeatedly allows us to glimpse the face, the personal and distinctive features of a philosopher-historian whose declared aim is nevertheless to get rid of the subject and subjectivity, to disappear in his own discourse and to leave the way open for a formulation of the anonymous rules which govern human knowledge and behavior.' - New York Review of Books

'Foucault has re-launched philosophy in France single-handed.' - The Times Literary Supplement

'Michel Foucault is a very brilliant writer, he has a remarkable angle of vision, a highly disciplined and coherent one, that informs his work to such a high degree as to make the work sui generis original.' - Edward W. Said