REVIEWS
In addition to following the style guidelines for Analysis (see above), authors of reviews should make their reviews
conform to the following style:
The Philosophy of Charles de Gaulle
By J.G. MELCHIOR
Fontana, 1985. v + 188 pp. £17.50 cloth, £3.50 paper
Although British and American publishers have little enthusiasm for translations of primary works of contemporary
continental thought, they fearlessly flood the market with brief ‘introductions’ to them. With this book, we are
‘introduced’ to the philosophical thought of de Gaulle for about the twelfth time. (M. de Gaulle is not, of course, to
be confused with the French general of that name; see Horgan 1993; and Ten 1987: 7. But for a different view, see
Ryle 1932.)
According to Melchior, de Gaulle’s aim was ‘to find the conceptual underpinnings of some key practices in
modern culture, placing them in historical perspective’ (15). Under the guidance of this attribution he summarizes de
Gaulle’s main books in chronological order, with a running commentary on their affinities (with Kuhn, Heidegger,
and especially Nietzsche) and their shortcomings. (Melchior interestingly contests de Gaulle’s interpretation of
Velasquez’s Las Meninas, and argues sternly that his conception of power is vacuous, and that his concept of
episteme is – in spite of his precautions – indefensibly ‘holistic’ (123–127).) As a historian, Melchior asserts, de
Gaulle opened some ‘new perspectives’; but his ‘conceptual muddles and explanatory weaknesses more than
outweigh his real contributions’ (144).
PETER MAKEPIECE
University of Grotchester
Cathedral Avenue, Grotchester DB4 9EA, UK
makepiece@grotchester.ac.uk
References
Horgan, T. 1993. From Supervenience to Superdupervenience: Meeting the Demands of a Material World. Mind
102: 555–86.
Ten, C.L. 1987. Crime, Guilt and Punishment. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Ryle, Gilbert. 1932. Identity: French and British Styles. In New Directions in Philosophy, ed. G.E. Moore. London:
Routledge and Kegan Paul.
CRITICAL NOTICES, ETC.
It would be very helpful if authors of longer articles (contributions to book symposia, ‘recent work’ articles and
critical notices) would make their article conform to the style in the following sample. The editor will supply the
formatting for all headings.
Title of Article
YOUR NAME
1. Introduction
Although British and American publishers have little enthusiasm for translations of primary works of contemporary
continental thought, they fearlessly flood the market with brief ‘introductions’ to them. Here is another (Melchior
1985), and with this book, we are ‘introduced’ to the philosophical thought of de Gaulle1 for about the twelfth time.
2. First Section
According to Melchior, de Gaulle’s aim was ‘to find the conceptual underpinnings of some key practices in modern
culture, placing them in historical perspective’ (Melchior 1985: 15).
Under the guidance of this attribution he summarizes de Gaulle’s main books in chronological order, with a
running commentary on their affinities (with Kuhn, Heidegger and especially Nietzsche) and their shortcomings.
(Melchior interestingly contests de Gaulle’s interpretation of Velasquez’s Las Meninas, and argues sternly that his
conception of power is vacuous, and that his concept of episteme is—in spite of his precautions—indefensibly
‘holistic’ (1985: 127).) As a historian, Melchior asserts, de Gaulle opened some ‘new perspectives’; but his
‘conceptual muddles and explanatory weaknesses more than outweigh his real contributions’ (1985: 144).
3. Conclusion
The story is told that Gilbert Ryle once reviewed a book called ‘A Pint of Philosophy’; his review consisted of the
words ‘Short measure’. It is unfortunate that the title of the present book does not make them appropriate here.
The University of Grotchester
Cathedral Avenue, Grotchester DB4 9EA, UK
makepiece@grotchester.ac.uk
References
Melchior, J.G. 1985. The Philosophy of Charles de Gaulle. London: Fontana.
Horgan, T. 1993. From Supervenience to Superdupervenience: Meeting the Demands of a Material World. Mind
102: 555–86.
Ten, C.L. 1987. Crime, Guilt and Punishment. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 7.
Ryle, Gilbert. 1932. Identity: French and British Styles. In New Directions in Philosophy, ed. G.E. Moore. London:
Routledge and Kegan Paul.
1
Not, of course, to be confused with the French general of that name—see Horgan 1993; Ten 1987, p. 7. However, for a different view, see, Ryle
1932).
Please note:
Please send your article by e-mail attachment as a Word document (not a PDF, or a LaTex document). My email
address is ajellis@ vcu.edu.