William H. Brenner, associate professor of philosophy, recently published "Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations," a volume in the State University of New York Press series in philosophy.

Described as an imaginative and exciting exposition of themes from Wittgenstein's "Philosophical Investigations," the book helps readers find their way around the "forest of remarks" that make up this classic.

Chapters on language, mind, color, number, God, value and philosophy develop a major theme: that there are various kinds of language use a variety philosophy needs to look at but tends to overlook.

Ludwig Wittgenstein, 1889-1951, was an Austrian philosopher who, throughout his life, was obsessed with the problem of the nature of language and the relationship between language and the world.

"Brenner shows excellent judgment in selecting which themes of Wittgenstein's work to emphasize this is very important in a book of this sort," says Cora Diamond of UVa. "He gives his readers a very good idea of the range of Wittgenstein's concerns and how they hang together."

Jonathan Westphal of Idaho State University says of the book, "Freshly and clearly written, it is accessible to laymen but also of great interest to experts. Brenner's choice of topics imaginative and exciting is the book's greatest strength."

The 184-page book is published both in paperback ($18.95) and hardcover ($57.50).

Brenner and John F. Holley, associate professor emeritus of foreign languages and literatures, are the translators of Joachim Schulte's "Wittgenstein: An Introduction," also published by SUNY Press. Brenner also is the author of "Logic and Philosophy: An Integrated Introduction" (Notre Dame University Press) and "Elements of Modern Philosophy."