Any book dealing with philosophy in a serious and scholarly manner is one that may challenge the reader's intellect, especially when confronted with a thinker in whom they are less well-versed. For these reasons alone it is laudable that Young et al. state within their preface that this reference work is aimed not solely at scholars, but also at those seekers after knowledge who are merely curious about the works and thought of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari. This book covers both their individual contributions to knowledge, as well as their celebrated collaborative work.
It begins with an outline contents page, which is followed by the aforementioned preface, setting out the book's structure. Next follows an acknowledgements page from the lead author and then two pages of book abbreviations used throughout, such as AO – Anti-Oedipus. The work then formally opens with a fascinating 16-page introductory by Young. This essay was responsible for drawing a hearty chuckle from this reviewer, as Young noted that the act of reading aloud the ideas of philosophers can make one “probably sound either unbelievably pretentions or just crazy”. Having won me over with his honesty and frankness, the rest of introduction provides a valuable primer for the two philosophers forming very much an essential read for the newcomer to this realm.
From this point forward the main alphabetical dictionary commences and takes up the vast majority of the book's page span. Individual topic entries vary considerably in length: from stub cross-references, through brief snippets of knowledge to longer pieces around two pages in length. The median entry length generally stands at just under a page of text. Each commonly comprises an explanation or exploration of a concept, personage or ideal, coupled with quotes direct from Deleuze or Guattari's works. Each entry is helpfully tagged with the initials of the contributing author responsible for it, and it is notable that Young carries most of the volume.
Philosophy, as noted above, is a discipline that is notoriously difficult for an outsider to grasp in any depth; and in this regard, Young and his colleagues are to be applauded. While the reader will be expected to expend some cognitive processing in their use of the book, the authors have made the entries accessible and digestible. It is all too easy to become almost too drawn into this work and lose track of time, which is possibly the highest praise one can bestow on a work such as this.
The readability and navigation of the work for the more novice philosopher is aided through the sparing use of emboldened text of key phrases; which are cross-references to other entries. It is worth noting that, unlike many dictionaries, it is entirely possible to commence reading one topic and thence follow a very readable conceptual trail through the related ideas. The right-hand page header also contains the title of the concept discussed on that page, aiding navigation further. However, in a curious editorial decision, the left-hand page header is given over to a repetition of the books title, rather like words through a stick of rock. Nevertheless, it is very much a minor flaw and not one that will hamper most readers.
Philosophy is a discipline of words and concepts, and it will come as no surprise to learn that illustrations are all but absent from this work; save for one illuminating the concept of eternal return. It is doubtful that this work would have been improved by the inclusion of more diagrams, or images of scholars alongside their biographical entries. Indeed the space saved allows more room for Young et al. to further explore the concepts covered.
The book concludes with a seven-page bibliography which is followed by an extensive 22-page subject index. Mercifully this directs the reader not only to main headings, but to key concepts within individual entries as well. As the work unsurprisingly lacks a comprehensive contents page, it is recommended that any reader begins their intensive exploration of this work from here.
Overall then, this is an accessible, readable and well-structured reference work for philosophers, students or those simply seeking a deeper understanding of the world. The incredibly low price for this excellent work, at least for the paperback version, particularly contrasted against many other reference sources, makes its purchase for any specialist, academic or even major public library an almost irresistible option. It is most certainly a work I shall myself return to again and again.
