The twenty-two selections in provide students with a lucid overview of the central themes and concerns of critical theory. The main introduction and prefaces to sections discuss the writers and selections, highlighting connections between ideas and their historical contexts. In addition, contains the first full translation of Habermas’ influential essay, “Modernity: An Unfinished Project.” The introduction preceding each article orients the student to the general theory of the author and relates the particular article to the other materials in the book. The individual introductions also include particular historical events surrounding each article so students can read the pieces in context. The editors have also selected substantial pieces by each contributor and have avoided excerpting wherever possible. The arrangement of the selections in parallels the material in , and when read in conjunction with it presents the leading ideas of the Frankfurt School in the most accessible format possible.