Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) is regarded as one of the twentieth century's most important philosophers.

"It is only a small exaggeration to say that each of Martin Heidegger's works seems to be the key to his thought...every book is bracing and magnetic...The effect is similar to what we see in the best political philosophy. Being stirred to think is as important as the question being thought about. Heidegger not only encourages thought, he also instructs us in how to begin thinking...Heidegger at his best calls forth what once was called courage of the intellect. Heidegger sees his characteristic path in The Essence of Human Freedom and The Essence of Truth as grounded in and circling back to history...The main things to be learned from these books concern what it means to confront essential questions at the level of Heidegger, Kant, Plato, and Aristotle. For the student, to be serious involves just such a confrontation." -- Claremont Review of Books, Summer 2005