{"product_id":"targets-of-opportunity-on-the-militarization-of-thinking-critical","title":"Targets of Opportunity: On the Militarization of Thinking - Critical","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review Samuel Weber's Targets of Opportunity: On the Militarization of Thinking is presented as a rigorous, philosophical examination of how targeting shapes thought and political form. The reviewer finds it most valuable for readers interested in political theory, psychoanalytic readings of warfare, and literary-philosophical approaches to modern violence. The single biggest reason to buy this book is its sustained, comparative reading of classical and modern texts that traces how the notion of targeting reconfigures subjectivity and strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary close readings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Weber connects episodes from Homer to Freud and Carl Schmitt, offering comparative insights that clarify how targeting operates across genres and eras.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThematic focus on targeting:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book centers the concept of skopos, helping readers understand targeting as an intentional structure shaping both political action and thought.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDetailed chapter studies:\u003c\/strong\u003e Individual chapters treat distinct sources - Odysseus and the suitors, Schmitt's Catholicism, Freud's wartime essays - providing focused, rigorous analysis in each case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEngagement with military thought:\u003c\/strong\u003e Weber traces an alternative strand within strategic thinking, including Network Centered Warfare, to show conceptual shifts in practice as well as theory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBenjamin and capitalism:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book concludes by juxtaposing Walter Benjamin's readings of capitalism as religion, expanding the argument to cultural and religious dimensions of militarized thinking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcademic readers in political theory, philosophy, literary studies, and psychoanalysis will find this book rewarding; it assumes familiarity with thinkers like Freud, Schmitt, Benjamin and comfort with close textual work. Graduate students and seminar leaders can use it as a provocatively framed text for discussions on violence, sovereignty, and the ethics of targeting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking an introductory or popular history of modern warfare should look elsewhere, as Weber's approach is essayistic and theoretical rather than a practical or journalistic account of military operations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmbitious comparative scope that links classical literature to modern political theory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCareful readings of Freud and Schmitt that illuminate the philosophical stakes of targeting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduces military and strategic concepts like Network Centered Warfare into a philosophical debate, broadening the conversation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTheoretical density means it demands slow, attentive reading and prior familiarity with key thinkers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTargets of Opportunity: On the Militarization of Thinking\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSamuel Weber\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTargeting (skopos), militarization of thought, subjectivity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary texts examined\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOdysseus, Freud, Carl Schmitt, Walter Benjamin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComparative literary-philosophical analysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIncludes discussion of\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNetwork Centered Warfare and capitalism as religion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTargets of Opportunity is a demanding but rewarding book for specialists who want a sustained philosophical account of how targeting shapes political and psychic life. Its comparative readings and engagement with military thought make it particularly valuable to scholars; the investment of attention yields a deep, conceptually rich payoff and good value for readers seeking theory-driven critique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book focus on historical battles?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot primarily; the emphasis is on philosophical and textual readings rather than military history or operational accounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior knowledge of Freud or Schmitt required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHelpful but not strictly required; familiarity with these thinkers makes the book more accessible and rewarding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this interest readers of political theory?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, especially those interested in sovereignty, violence, and how conceptual frameworks like targeting shape political practice.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Samuel Weber","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48778579935451,"sku":"0823224759","price":85.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61srs2A-vmL._SL1082.jpg?v=1778923278","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/targets-of-opportunity-on-the-militarization-of-thinking-critical","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}