Abstract

Rüdiger Safranski's book is difficult to review: it is hard to write a critical evaluation of a masterpiece. Already a bestseller in Germany, this book is the most complete and balanced intellectual biography of Martin Heidegger, perhaps this doleful century's most controversial philosopher. Gone are the over-heated polemics of the Heidegger bashers. Gone too are his fans' convenient omissions and facile apologies. Instead—in much-needed clear, elegant, and short sentences—Safranski presents the achievements and liabilities of Heidegger as a man and a thinker. This may not be the last word on this seemingly inexhaustible subject. All worthwhile future works on the…