My interest in Bataille has different emphases than Mr. Wong's (the writer of the first review), but I'm happy to refer the reader to his intelligent, poetic, and sympathetic reading of Bataille. A bit more might be said, though, about the work of the editors.
Bataille's oeuvre is wide-ranging, to say the least: erotica to economics. Botting and Wilson's volume gives one a thoughtful overview divided into sensible categories; it begins with an informative and perceptive, but not over-long or overbearing intro. The excerpts from Bataille's writings are long enough to give one a sense of what he wants to say (many are complete essays or long book excerpts) and are free from annoying cuts.
I bought the book some years ago when I found that I needed to learn about Bataille's work (esp. economy, ritual, sacrifice)--then picked it up when I _really_ needed it. I learned a lot (many sections deserve multiple readings)and have also gained a sense of where to look to try to learn more (the temptation to write this review arose while looking for some of the works I've been missing). What more can you ask from a _Bataille Reader_?
It's also worth pointing out, perhaps, that _The Bataille Reader_ is a notable exception in an often undistinguished genre. (Paul Rabinow's _Foucault Reader_, for instance, is disappointing--Rabinow's own excellent scholarship notwithstanding). Yes, one can (and in the case of Foucault no doubt should) skip the Reader and simply start on the complete corpus. But volumes of the "reader" type, if done with the care, thought, and understanding of Botting and Wilson, demand a great deal of time and work, of devotion to the author whose work they're presenting and, indeed, of generosity toward their own readership. They deserve our gratitude.
