Basic Writings: Essential Martin Heidegger―Profound 20th Century Philosophy from Being and Time to Groundbreaking Modern Metaphysics (Harper Perennial Modern Thought) Paperback – November 4, 2008

Those looking to get some insight into Heidegger's thought may find this collection of essays much more palatable than "Being and Time." Keep in mind it's still Heidegger, so, relative to the writings of other authors, it isn't going to be light reading to the minds of many. However, I do think these essays are well written and particularly approachable. I even felt as though the excerpt from "Being and Time" wasn't that bad; but that may be my experience of recently having read "Being and Time" that makes me think so. At any rate, these writings, "basic" in the sense that they are foundational, present nicely partitioned bits/cornerstones of Heidegger's broader philosophy. In fact, I think it may have been a bit better for me to have read this before advancing to "Being and Time," just because one gets so clearly from this work a sense of how Heidegger thinks, and an understanding of the manner/mode thereof. Another reason why this book might be worth a read prior to "Being and Time" is that it provides a sense of the subject matter that Heidegger is concerned with, and I think "Being and Time" can be seen as examination of the underlying ontological structure of Being and its relations apropos items of concern contained herein. Just as a note for those who have read quite a bit of Heidegger, I am not familiar with many anthologies of Heidegger's work, but all of the articles I have read on Heidegger and technolog refer to an essay here contained ("The Question Concerning Technology") and I have only been able to find that essay in this anthology. It may not have been published elsewhere, and my understanding is that some of Heidegger's essays, lectures, and notes have only been recently published, some of which are available in only one published form by one publisher, which could be the case here.I definitely recommend this volume for either those folks who read "Being and Time" and are looking for more substance beyond that volume's present structure, fans of "Being and Time," and those who may shy away from "Being and Time," but still want to get a taste of Heidegger in a somewhat approachable text and from the source. Also, if anyone would like strategies for approaching "Being and Time," I wrote a blog with suggestions on my website, which can be reached through my Amazon community page: just click on the website on my community page, which you can get to by clicking my name above this review.

Delivered in time. A good book for college students.

This anthology includes a broad range of very substantial excerpts or essays from all periods of Heidegger's career. Rather than trying to cover a large number of writings, this book selects only eleven pieces. But they are all substantial and central. There is a good synergy and thematic relationship among the various selections, which the editors often helpfully highlight and cross-reference. For instance, the four selections starting with The Origin of the Work of Art and going through the Question of Technology (and even also Building Dwelling Thinking) provide a synergistic and inter-related view of Heidegger's thoughts on human creativity and activity that works very well. The editors have been very careful in selecting essays to allow for this type of panoramic and analytic view of Heidegger's thought. Gunter Figal's Heidegger Reader provides a good contrast and is a good companion to this volume in that it features shorter excerpts from a much wider range of writings, and -- happily -- there is almost no overlap with the Basic Writings volume.The brief opening introductions to each chapter by the editors are very helpful and provide both a good overview of the relevant ideas and many thought-provoking points for readers to consider.

A very helpful edition of the major works that a beginner with Heidegger should read, but I am still wondering whether his philosophy is a giant (but impressive-sounding) bust, or whether there really is a great deal of insight and substance there.

Phenomenology is, to my mind, a crucial branch of philosophy that impinges on many of the so-called sciences, including psychology and sociology. Unfortunately, Martin Heidegger, one of phenomenology's principle promoters, is one of those people whose writing demands a mentor for the reader. Failing that, which has been my experience, the demand translates into reading the man as widely as possible, including the output of his students and colleagues. 'Basic Writings' is a vital work in the journey into Heidegger's mind in that it provides a historical record of how he developed after 'Being and Time'; more so how he was able to take phenomenology to even higher heights of relevance in our contemporary world. This book deserves a place next to 'Being and Time' on the shelf of the serious Heidegger student.

To understand Heidegger, you have to read him a bit like you'd read Faulkner; just let it flow, not worrying about each phrase or sentence. These essays are well worth the effort. My favorite is The Question Concerning Technology.

And also too bad his lit crit got turned into franco deconstruction theory. I didn't enjoy any of this book

The book arrived on time and was in good shape, as it was described. I would use the service again.