{"product_id":"the-accursed-share-volume-i-9780942299113","title":"The Accursed Share, Volume I","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom the acclaimed French philosopher, intellectual, and novelist, a brilliant account of the social and economic costs of civilization\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn this important work, Georges Bataille uses his novel economic theory as the basis for an incisive inquiry into the very nature of civilization. He introduces here his concept of the \u003ci\u003eaccursed share\u003c\/i\u003e, the surplus energy that any system, natural or cultural, must expend; it is this expenditure, according to Bataille, that most clearly defines a society. His examples include sacrifice among the Aztecs, potlatch among the Northwest Coast Indians, military conquest in Islam, and Buddhist monasticism in Tibet. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn this way, Bataille proposes a theory of a \"general economy\" based on excess and exuberance that radically revises conventional economic models of scarcity and utility. A brilliant blend of economics and aesthetics, ethics and anthropology, \u003ci\u003eThe Accursed Share\u003c\/i\u003e provides an excellent introduction to Bataille's philosophic work. It will be of particular interest not only to readers of his fiction and essays but also to cultural theorists, anthropologists, and economists of all schools.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeorges Bataille\u003c\/b\u003e (1897-1962), founder of the French review \u003ci\u003eCritique\u003c\/i\u003e, wrote fiction and essays on a wide range of topics. His books in English translation include \u003ci\u003eStory of the Eye\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eBlue of Noon\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eLiterature and Evil\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eManet\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eTheory of Religion\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eEroticism\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Zone Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50594025308434,"sku":"9780942299113","price":20.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_c2be089f-a6c3-442b-a71d-0c3c9320a8c3.jpg?v=1737297740","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-accursed-share-volume-i-9780942299113","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}