Rather than linger over tired debates about the deleterious effects of deconstructionism and the newness of new historicism, Habib (English, Rutgers U.) places literary criticism in the context of the history of ideas in the Western world. He demonstrates the ways that central philosophical principles of Plato and Aristotle not only underlie their specific comments on literature but also lay out the foundations and categories of much subsequent Western thought. As he makes his way chronologically through the major movements, figures and texts of literary criticism, Habib supplies the cultural, historical and philosophical background that gives them substance. Habib's epilogue makes a strong case for the importance of attending to the processes of reading and interpreting as they change in response to the extant zeitgeist. This is a paperback reprint of the 2005 hardcover original edition. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)