"[Kastley's] excellent synthesis of the philosophies of such theorists as Leo Bersani, Anne Carson, and Sigmund Freud makes for an intellectually potent investigation of persuasion . . . . This rewards careful study."

Publisher's Weekly

“In this timely, impressive text, Kastely provides a rigorous reconsideration of the definitions and meanings of persuasion and constructs a clear case for redefinition. . . . Relocated from rhetoricians to subjects, persuasion is redefined to mean an action and event in which subjectivity is transformed. In its efforts, persuasion justifies the practice of rhetoric and exists as a value that, Kastely writes, is a ‘core value for democracy.’ Persuasion, a value in itself, guides individuals’ growth in ‘loving the world appropriately.’”

Choice

“Loving the World Appropriately presents a robust rhetorical theory of mind on its way to an entirely new formulation of persuasion. And Kastely is just the scholar to present such a theory. The resulting account is by turns riveting, delightful, and weighty.”

Debra Hawhee, Pennsylvania State University

“In the battle between the ancients and the moderns in rhetoric, Kastely provides generous readings of a variety of texts that will serve as a resource for all students of rhetoric, regardless of their aims. An original work that is a pleasure to read.”

Eugene Garver, Saint John’s University

“In Loving the World Appropriately, Kastely reimagines the rhetorical tradition through the multifaceted lens of postmodern critique, refashioning ancient ideas shared by the likes of Euripides, Plato, and Aristotle. He does these thinkers no violence, however, locating within their thought a meaningful response to pressing concerns about the force of persuasion. Like the reconstitution he proposes, Kastely never imposes his reading; rather, he invites the reader to reconsider the constitution of rhetoric with sincerity, humility, and appropriately, love.”
 

John J. Jasso, Ave Maria University