Martin Heidegger

By: George Steiner

Narrated by: Robert Blumenfeld

With characteristic lucidity and style, Steiner makes Heidegger's immensely difficult body of work accessible to the general reader. In a new introduction, Steiner addresses language and philosophy and the rise of Nazism.

"It would be hard to imagine a better introduction to the work of philosopher Martin Heidegger." (George Kateb, The New Republic)

©1978, 1989 George Steiner (P)2013 Audible Inc.

Cover Looks Like Evil Dolph

Great Steiner prose, a symphony of mixed feelings about a great philosopher but rigid man who looked like the evil Dolph and may even have sympathized with him. Skillful if rapid narration.

Deep Themes, Well Shown

I suspect this is probably the best book on Heidegger; but I haven't read enough others yet. George Steiner's abillity to draw on such a broad range of philosophy, theology, poetry and history to his thinking on anything or anyone (in this case Heidegger) is an enrichment which is hard to surpass. I suspect that another book on Heidegger that is this rich would be a rare one. I also wonder if other commentators are able to bring out the same deep themes in Heidegger. "To Think is to Thank."

Where is Heidegger on audible?!

This book is truly gorgeous and tantalizing introduction to Heidegger's philosophy. What frustrates me beyond words, however, is the fact that audible still does not carry any of his Heidegger's books. If not the magnum opus, then at least his intro to metaphysics, or indeed any other volume of his lectures? Please, bring Heidegger to audible!

a great introduction

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It helps you get the radiicalness of Heidegger.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Martin Heidegger?

The radical overthrow of metaphysics.

Which character – as performed by Robert Blumenfeld – was your favorite?

n/a

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

realizing the game changer that was Heidegger.

Any additional comments?

I plan to listen to it a second time.

Exceptional reading with natural cadence !

Delivered in sonorous tones is Steiner at the height of his powers in full command of twentieth century German intellectual and aesthetic history. Steiner is so even-handed in his treatment of Heidegger's corpus as well as the secondary literature. This little book has grown into renewed relevancy, seeing through Heidegger's subterfuge in handling own his own great political disaster, while at the same time refusing to close his ears to the thinker's unflagging wonder and ever renewed genuine vigor of thought before the seinsfrage. A short critical masterpiece perfect in length and form for an audio book.

A great commentary on Heidegger's thought.

Because of the complexity of Heidegger's rhetoric I would suggest getting the print book and reading along with the narrator. The narrator did a great job pronouncing the German expressions.

Fantastic - very approachable yet competent

This is an excellent overview of Heidegger's philosophy. Steiner immerses the listener in the intoxicating swells of Heidegger's language while also conveying the critical points of his philosophy in a manner that is easily comprehensible. To appreciate Heidegger's philosophy is to be caught up in the rapture of a quasi-mystical revery on the poetry that is always at work in language and thought. Steiner gets this just right--neither too little nor too much. His treatment of the controversy surrounding Nazism is fair, rightly criticizing what is abhorrent without condemning or dismissing Heidegger outright. Highly recommended!

Like an extensive Wikipedia entry.

Superb as a cursory introduction and basic overview for the casually concerned. Not for serious students of philosophy. Better to bite the bullet of Being and just buy the Man’s book, ‘Sein und Zeit.’ At bottom: your actually lived-in life (and/or died-out death) is the only true (unconcealed) answer to the question, What is Being? As profound as it is unsound.