Hegel: A Biography

Description

One of the founders of modern philosophical thought Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831) has gained the reputation of being one of the most abstruse and impenetrable of thinkers. This first major biography of Hegel in English offers not only a complete, up-to-date account of the life, but also a perspicuous overview of the key philosophical concepts in Hegel's work in a style that will be accessible to professionals and non-professionals alike. Terry Pinkard situates Hegel firmly in the historical context of his times. The story of that life is of an ambitious, powerful thinker living in a period of great tumult dominated by the figure of Napoleon. The Hegel who emerges from this account is a complex, fascinating figure of European modernity, who offers us a still compelling examination of that new world born out of the political, industrial, social, and scientific revolutions of his period.

'... this is the most rounded and reliable life of Hegel there has ever been.' London Review of Books 'Terry Pinkard's biography is of the first rank. ... [The] known material has never been marshalled with more spacious clarity.' Observer '... makes [Hegel] into a real human being whose philosophical odyssey becomes credible, even touching.' Peter Gay, Sterling Professor of History Emeritus, Yale University 'The fullest and undoubtedly the best ever account of Hegel's life in the English language.' Sunday Telegraph 'Terry Pinkard offers the most rounded, richly filled-out picture of Hegel, as both philosopher and man, that we have ever had in English. This will quickly become the standard biography of Hegel, and richly deserves to do so. In an age of fine Hegel scholarship, this is a towering achievement.' Boston Book Review 'Terry Pinkard's biography is of the first rank. ... [The] known material has never been marshalled with more spacious clarity.' Observer 'An absorbing and thorough review of the great philosopher's life.' Observer 'This is the most extensive and full biography of Hegel to appear in English, a biography long overdue. It is a great pleasure to read.' Tijdschrift Voor Filosofie 'The English-speaking world has had to wait a long time for a good, detailed biography of Hegel. It now has this useful volume by Terry Pinkard to fill the gap ... The result is a more complete picture of the man than we have ever had in English. We are all in his debt.' Bulletin of the Hegel Society of Great Britain '... monumental book, written by a fine American Hegel scholar ... all students of Hegel and of Hegelian idealism should welcome this work ...' Journal of Ecclesiastical History