Sweedler (French and cultural analysis and social theory, Wilfrid Laurier U.) explores the "intersecting communitarian endeavors" of a collective of early 20th century authors that included
Georges Bataille, Maurice Blanchot, Michel Leiris and Colette Peignot (known after her death as Laure). Written for scholars and students of the French avant-garde, this volume examines how
Bataille's themes of sacrifice, the sacred and communication influenced the group as a whole, and how Peignot acted as a catalyst for topics such as love and fraternity. The influence of these
writers on modern French thought on community after World War II is also explored. Distributed by Associated University Presses. Annotation 穢2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
