Martin Heidegger is among the most important philosophers of the
Twentieth Century. Within the continental tradition, almost every
great figure has been deeply influenced by his work. For this
reason, a full understanding of the course of modern philosophy is
impossible without at least a basic grasp of Heidegger.
Unfortunately, his work is notoriously difficult, both because of
his innovative ideas and his difficult writing style.
In this compelling book, Lee Braver cuts through the jargon to
present Heidegger's ideas in clear English, using
illuminating examples and explications of thorny passages. In so
doing, he offers readers an accessible overview of
Heidegger's entire career. The first half of the book
presents a guide through Being and Time, Heidegger's
early masterpiece, while the second half covers the key themes of
his later writing, including technology, subjectivity, history,
nihilism, agency, and the nature of thought itself. As
Heidegger's later work is deeply engaged with other
philosophers, Braver explains the relevance of Plato, Descartes,
Kant, and Nietzsche for Heidegger's thought.
This book will be of great interest to students and scholars trying
to find their way through Heidegger's difficult ideas. Anyone
interested in Twentieth Century continental philosophy must come to
terms with Heidegger, and this book is the ideal place to begin.
