Flynn (philosophy, State U. of New York-Empire State College) investigates what aspect of the world and people's experience of it the work of contemporary French philosopher Lefort endeavors to illuminate, and why people--or perhaps philosophers--are in need of this illumination now. From its beginning, he says, Lefort's work has set itself the task of interpreting the political life of modern society, and the task does not exclude either ontological or epistemological issues. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)