Inspired by lectures by this French writer of epistemological parables some of which are yet to be translated into English, Assad (French, Buffalo State College) takes a novel perspective on the temporal dimension in 19 Serres' works including the Hermes series (1969-1980) and (with Bruno Latour) Conversations on Science, Culture, and Time (1995). The author demonstrates how Serres filters concepts from chaos theory, philosophy, and literature through his lens viewing time as a nonlinear, ahistorical "chaotic attractor." Includes English and French references. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)