Roland Barthes (1915-1980) is one of France’s most important writers and theorists of the second half of the twentieth century. His work is hugely influential in the fields of semiotics, structuralism and numerous areas of the humanities.

Andy Stafford offers a clear-sighted, readable account of Barthes’ work and life. While he argues that Barthes may best be categorised as a journalist, essayist and critic, he emphasizes the social preoccupations in Barthes’ writing: how Barthes continually analysed the self and society. Stafford also provides a fascinating account of the intellectual scene of post-war France.