Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Kafka were all outsiders in their societies, unable to fit into the accepted nineteenth-century categories of theology, philosophy, or belles lettres. Instead, they saw themselves both as the end products of a dying civilization and as prophets of the coming chaos of the twentieth century. In this brilliant combination of biography and lucid exposition, their apocalyptic visions of the future are woven together into a provocative portrait of modernity.
MykolaKozak
Posted December 28, 2009
This book was a boring read with not much logical and sequential method. It presented the authors ideas of the four existentialists thrown all around the chapters. It introduces you to them but not so much to their philosophies. It sounds like somebody who knew them personally and thinks that he understood their philosophies from many a times of hearing them preach to him, and now writing a small bio about the four. Save you cash and find a better book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 28, 2003
Definitely a perfect introduction to these prophetic writers. It has opened up a whole new interest in the philosophical insights of the late 19th century and insprired me to read books such as The Seven That Were Hanged, Ecce Homo, and The Metamorphosis-books that I would have otherwise ignored. Easy to follow and provides a deeper understanding of the personal lives of these men.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 10, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted August 12, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
Dostoevsky, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Kafka were all outsiders in their societies, unable to fit into the accepted nineteenth-century categories of theology, philosophy, or belles lettres. Instead, they saw themselves both as the end products of a dying civilization and as prophets of the coming chaos of the twentieth century. In this brilliant combination of biography and lucid exposition, ...