1
of
1
This Is Not a Pipe
Series: Quantum Books
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 3,273 ratings, 234 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still
learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Summary
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK
Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock
Sorry, we're currently out of stock of This Is Not a Pipe. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This title is ideal for readers interested in philosophy, art history, semiotics, and cultural theory, as well as fans of René Magritte and Michel Foucault's work.
Latest News
Vanya Insull (aka VJ Cooks) visits Book Hero
We were lucky to have a visit from popular foodie, home cook and baker Vanya...
Is the newest Jack Reacher one of the best?
Our favourite crime solving, bad guy beating nomad is back and Lizzy and Edd were...
Heartstopper's Alice Oseman visits Book Hero
We were so excited to have Alice come to visit Hero HQ, as huge fans...
Shirl and Lizzy Review The Starving Bride
Catherine Chidgey does it again with another incredible novel that will have people talking for...
New Releases to add to your TBR this week (19th October)
One of my favourite sci-fi authors has a new book that I cannot wait to...
See moreWhat does it mean to write "This is not a pipe" across a bluntly literal painting of a pipe? By exploring the nuances and ambiguities of Magritte's visual critique of language, the author finds the painter less removed than previously thought from the pioneers of modern abstraction.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
What does it mean to write This is not a pipe across a bluntly literal painting of a pipe? René Magritte's famous canvas provides the starting point for a delightful homage by French philosopher and historian Michel Foucault.
Much better known for his incisive and mordant explorations of power and social exclusion, Foucault here assumes a more playful stance. By exploring the nuances and ambiguities of Magritte's visual critique of language, he finds the painter less removed than previously thought from the pioneers of modern abstraction.
Series: Quantum Books
View all-
This Is Not a Pipe
What does it mean to write This is not a pipe across a bluntly literal painting of a pipe? René Magritte's famous canvas provides the starting point for a delightful homage by French philosopher and historian Michel Foucault. Much better known for his incisive and mordant explorations of power and social exclusion, Foucault here assumes a more playful stance. By...PaperbackSold Out
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
New York Review of Books hails the essay as a brilliant introduction to Foucault's thought and an insightful reinterpretation of Magritte. The New York Times praises the volume for its compelling combination of the philosopher’s essay, Magritte's letters, and excellent translations and reproductions. Leonardo highlights Foucault's original and thought-provoking take on pictorial reference worth engaging with.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780520236943
Publisher: University of California Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 01 July 2008
Country: United States
Imprint: University of California Press
Edition: 2nd edition
Illustration: 30 b-w illustrations, 3 line drawings
Contributors:
- Edited by James Harkness
- Translated by James Harkness
- Illustrated by René Magritte
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 8.0mm
Width: 127.0mm
Height: 203.0mm
Weight: 136g
Pages: 104
About the Author
One of the most important theorists of the twentieth century, Michel Foucault's (1926-1984) many influential books include Discipline and Punish, The Archeology of Knowledge, The History of Sexuality, and The Discourse on Language.
Also by Michel Foucault
View all-
The Foucault Reader
Delve into the revolutionary thinking of one of the 20th century's most provocative and influential philosophers with The Foucault Reader. This essential compilation offers a comprehensive introduction to Michel Foucault’s pioneering work, meticulously curated to provide readers with insightful access to his seminal texts and theories. The Foucault Reader features detailed excerpts from Foucault's richly textured historical studies, including his...Paperback$3200Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
24% off
Society Must Be Defended
Society Must Be Defended by Michel Foucault is a compelling examination of power structures within civilisation, delivered through a series of influential lectures at the Collège de France in 1975-76. Foucault utilizes the paradigm of war to dissect and scrutinise power relations, proposing the provocative thesis that politics is essentially an extension of violence prevalent on the battlefield. Through his...Paperback$2600Usually:$3400Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Discipline and Punish
Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault delves deeply into the history and development of modern penal systems. It explores the transformations in Western societies' approach to punishment, shifting from a grotesque and public spectacle of torture to a more civilised, seemingly humane practice of incarceration. Foucault meticulously traces the evolution of social control mechanisms, presenting a compelling argument that modern...Paperback$3200Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The History of Sexuality
The History of Sexuality, written by the renowned French philosopher Michel Foucault, opens with an in-depth examination of Western society's complex relationship with sexuality. Foucault challenges the widely held belief that the modern era has liberated sexual practices and discussions. Instead, he asserts that Western culture has crafted an entire scientific domain dedicated to forever scrutinising sexuality, thus limiting the...Paperback$1699Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Power
The third and final instalment in the Essential Works of Foucault series, Power explores the compelling and profound writings of Michel Foucault on key issues that have shaped Western political and social discourse. This volume offers an expansive collection of Foucault's articles, interviews, and seminars that delve into the intricate dynamics of power in society. He scrutinises institutions such as...Paperback$3200Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Order of Things
In The Order of Things, Michel Foucault embarks on a profound exploration of the intricate patterns and structures that underpin human knowledge and understanding. This groundbreaking work traverses a dazzling array of disciplines, scrutinising the ways we have historically categorised and classified information. Without divulging any spoilers, Foucault takes the reader on an intellectual journey through literature, art, economics, and...Paperback$4500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Birth of the Clinic
In The Birth of the Clinic, Michel Foucault embarks on an intriguing exploration of the medical gaze and the transformation of medical knowledge during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution and the rise of modern medicine, Foucault analyses how the practice of medicine shifted from a reliance on classical texts and...Paperback$4500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Archaeology of Knowledge
Michel Foucault, a towering intellectual figure of the twentieth century, invites readers to delve deep into the intricate and often opaque realms of knowledge and history with Archaeology of Knowledge. In this seminal work, Foucault shifts from the historical to the philosophical, analysing the ways in which discourse—the way we speak and write about subjects—both informs and constructs our understanding...Paperback$4500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Madness and Civilization
Madness and Civilization, Michel Foucault's groundbreaking first book, offers a compelling journey through the history of madness in Western society from the Middle Ages to the modern era. Foucault meticulously examines how notions of madness have evolved over time, from being perceived as a divine or demonic manifestation to an illness requiring clinical treatment. Throughout this detailed exploration, Foucault illuminates...Paperback$4500Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Power/Knowledge
Power/Knowledge by Michel Foucault is a seminal collection that delves into the intricate dynamics of power within various institutions of Western society. Through a series of essays and interviews, Foucault unveils the overarching themes that connect his extensive body of work, offering readers, both new and familiar, a guide to understanding his profound insights. This compilation reflects Foucault at his...Paperback$5100Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
The History of Sexuality: 2
The History of Sexuality: Volume 2 by Michel Foucault delves deeper into the complex interplay of desire, sex, and power in historical contexts. Originally released as The Use of Pleasure, this volume shifts focus from the repression hypothesis explored in the first volume, moving instead towards an examination of how sexual behaviours and desires have been shaped and perceived throughout...Paperback$3200Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Aesthetics, Method, and Epistemology
The Essential Works of Michel Foucault offer the definitive collection of Foucault's articles, interviews, and seminars. Aesthetics, Method, and Epistemology provides a focused study on the philosophy, literature, and art that informed Foucault's engagement with ethics and power. This volume includes brilliant commentaries on the works of de Sade, Rousseau, Marx, Nietzsche, Freud, and Wagner.Paperback$2900Elsewhere:$3200Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow
More from Arts & Culture
View all-
Dylan's PickBold Types
A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...Hardback$5999Elsewhere:$7000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseI’ll Believe in Anything
From Jacob Tierney, the creator of Heated Rivalry, in partnership with Brendan Brady and Accent Aigu, comes I’ll Believe in Anything, an official and complete collection of annotated scripts for the biggest cultural sensation of the year, with all new exclusive behind-the-scenes content.Based on Rachel Reid’s blockbuster Game Changers book series, Heated Rivalry premiered on Crave and HBO in late 2025 and immediately took the world by storm. I’ll...Hardback$5499Elsewhere:$6000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Home Again
Join rock-legend, former Shihad frontman and lead singer of The Adults, Jon Toogood in this unflinching and no-holds-barred memoir Home Again.This is more than a rock story. Toogood looks back on a 37-year career that helped define New Zealand rock music, and the personal cost that came with it. From a music-obsessed childhood in Wellington to the deafening roar of international stages, this...Paperback$2700Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
20% offThe Odyssey
Composed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travellers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative....Paperback$2400Elsewhere:$3599Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
21% offThe Iliad
When Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017—revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was "fresh, unpretentious and lean" (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)—critics lauded it as "a revelation" (Susan Chira, New York Times) and "a cultural landmark" (Charlotte Higgins, Guardian) that would forever change how Homer is read in English. Now Wilson has returned with an...Paperback$2600Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
20% offDisney Moana: The Official Cookbook
Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...Hardback$3600Elsewhere:$5299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseA Life in Lyrics
Freddie Mercury was one of the greatest showmen of the twentieth century. With his unparalleled voice and searing on-stage energy, he was a great pretender, a killer queen and a champion of the world. But behind the glamour lived a musician and lyricist talented beyond measure, and the creative force behind one of the most culturally significant and musically diverse...Hardback$5000Elsewhere:$6500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseBirdlands
A rare, intimate journey into the wild islands where Aotearoa's birds live beyond the reach of most human lives. In the most remote outposts of Aotearoa, our islands are populated not with people, but with birds. From the storm-lashed Subantarctic Islands in the deep south to the scattered volcanic islands of Tikapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf in the north, Birdlands offers a...Hardback$4199Elsewhere:$5000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
21% offThis Angry Pen of Mine
This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...Hardback$5800Elsewhere:$8999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Artist's Way
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron is a transformative guidebook that has captivated millions, including luminaries such as Elizabeth Gilbert and Tim Ferriss. With its profound ability to inspire and elevate, this book invites readers to embark on an enriching creative journey, fostering a deeper connection to one's artistic process and sense of purpose. The heart of Cameron's groundbreaking programme...Paperback$3700Elsewhere:$4500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseSplit Enz
'My favourite band. Ever! And certainly the best dressed.' Sam Neill Split Enz were never designed to fit. Emerging from art school mischief in early-1970s New Zealand, they turned pop into surreal theatre: costume, character and melody colliding in a rock band that refused to behave like one. At the centre of that vision was Noel Crombie—percussionist, performer and the...Hardback$5199Elsewhere:$6500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
They Bloom Because of You
Bestselling author and Instagram sensation Jessica Urlichs returns with a new collection of beautifully observed poems about the ever-evolving journey of motherhood - the hard, the magic and the fleeting. ‘A raw and honest read that makes you feel seen and understood in a way that will bring you to tears.’ - Hilary Swank ‘A book to keep close and...Paperback$3000Elsewhere:$3600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
Arts & Culture lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listArts & Culture
Poetry of Aotearoa
Check out some of the amazing local talent we are spoilt with right here in Aotearoa.View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listArts & Culture
Poetry for Beginners - Where to Start
10 Books I'd recommend to someone new to reading poetry - a mix of old and new, all magical introductions to the...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listArts & Culture
Lizzy's Favourite Books of Poetry
If I could only have 10 poetry collections to survive on for the rest of my life, these are them. Or maybe...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Lizzy's listArts & Culture
Books to read for Women in Translation month!
August is Women in Translation month, but at any time of year it's worth checking out these incredible novels written by women...View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Shirl's listArts & Culture
Inside the World of Film
Step behind the scenes of the world of filmmaking! Discover iconic directors and movie history of some of the world's memorable films.View the list -
![]()
![]()
![]()
Shirl's listArts & Culture
Books to Celebrate NZ Music Month
New Zealand Music Month happens every May, it's a reminder that we have so many talented musicians, singer, songwriters here in Aotearoa....View the list
