No thinker has aroused such passion, such diametrically opposed views about his status in the history of modern philosophy as Martin Heidegger (1889-1976). His champions see his work as elemental in this century's intellectual composition, and point to the impact on a diversity of disciplines and movements, among them Sartrean existentialism, linguistics, the structuralist and hermeneutic schools of textual study, theology, Hellenic studies, poetics, and indeed literature itself. In the opposing camp, his detractors rule discussion of his thought futile: his writings being impenetrable, his questions sham, his insights banal, his doctrines false, his influence disastrous.

George Steiner's purpose is not explicitly to take sides 'pro' or 'contra' Heidegger. Rather, he writes as someone who, in his own work on poetics, language and history, has found Heidegger to be massively present and in the path of further thinking. His book is not simply a masterly description of Heidegger's thought: he enriches it by the power of his own thinking, illuminating the 'unlit places' that Heidegger explored and bringing the reader nearer to that 'clearing' which Heidegger sought before all. "What blazes in Heidegger at his best is a slow lightning..."

"It would be hard to imagine a better introduction to the work of philosopher Martin Heidegger than this book."

NEW REPUBLIC

"Whether readers or thinkers respond to Heidegger or not, some acquaintance with his thought is indispensable, and Dr Steiner has provided it beautifully."

NEW YORKER

"Steiner's short book, in its generosity of feeling and range of reference, is a continuous pleasure to read."

NEW YORK REVIEW OF BOOKS