A provocative and exemplary introduction to the field of postcolonial studies. Leela Gandhi surveys the entire field of postcolonial studies and outlines the connections beween postcolonial theory and poststructuralism, postmodernism, marxism and feminism. She assesses the contribution of major theorists such as Edward Said, Gayatri Spivak and Homi Bhabha as well as highlighting postcolonialism's relationship to earlier thinkers such as Frantz Fanon and Mahatma Gandhi. Both a useful starting point for new readers and an incisive account for lecturers, this book will open up debate still further. * The first student book to map out the philosophical and intellectual context of postcolonial theory * Explains for students the work of major theorists such as Edward Said, Gayatri Spivak and Homi Bhabha