Description
Book SynopsisWhat does it mean when a radical understanding of National Socialism is inextricably embedded in the work of the twentieth century’s most important philosopher?
Trade Review“[An] informed, richly documented study. . . . A timely reminder of the value of those social democratic and liberal traditions.”—Steven Aschheim,
Times Literary Supplement“Combines close readings of Heidegger’s key writings with a rich cultural, literary and political history. . . . Wolin’s evidence-based work is its own riposte to the ludic mythomania of the philosopher’s political fanboys.”—Lyndsey Stonebridge,
New Statesman“A timely work of enduring importance.”—Jeffrey Herf,
Quillette“Wolin raises the discussion concerning Heidegger’s proximity to National Socialism to a new level. . . . Taken as a whole, [Wolin’s] volume is impressive for its thoroughgoing, source-related approach . . . as well as its detailed and profound knowledge of German intellectual and cultural history.”—Lukas Bormann,
Zeitschrift für Religions- und Geistesgeschichte“One of Richard Wolin’s merits is that he does not fear the Heidegger apology industry. Instead, we receive an extremely convincing ‘accident report’ on a ‘Philosophy in Ruins,’ an analysis of the entire work. . . . Heidegger’s National Socialism was not external and temporary. His apocalyptic philosophical self-understanding speaks for itself.”—Fredrik Agell,
Dagens Nyheter (Stockholm)
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Heidegger in Ruins is an uncompromising and incisive reassessment of Heidegger’s philosophy. Wolin convincingly demonstrates that he differed from his ideological competitors only in his more radical vision of a racial elect. Today, Heideggerianism survives in a variety of contemporary new right thinkers from Moscow to Charlottesville.”—Anson Rabinbach, Princeton University
“For three decades, Richard Wolin has battled strong headwinds to demonstrate the links between Heidegger’s vile politics and his sublime philosophy. Wolin’s latest effort shows that the winds have shifted and the mighty fortress built by Heidegger and his defenders has been blown away.”—Martin Jay, author of
Genesis and Validity“Richard Wolin’s detailed and powerful analysis will be a widely read and widely discussed contribution to the debate over Heidegger and Nazism.”—Alan E. Steinweis, author of
Studying the Jew: Scholarly Antisemitism in Nazi Germany