Walter Kaufmann (1921鈥�1980) was a charismatic philosopher, critic, translator, and poet who fled Nazi Germany at the age of eighteen, emigrating alone to the United States. He was astonishingly prolific until his untimely death at age fifty-nine, writing some dozen major books, all marked by breathtaking erudition and a provocative essayistic style. He single-handedly rehabilitated Nietzsche鈥檚 reputation after World War II and was enormously influential in introducing postwar American readers to existentialism. Until now, no book has examined his intellectual legacy.
Stanley Corngold provides the first in-depth study of Kaufmann鈥檚 thought, covering all his major works. He shows how Kaufmann speaks to many issues that concern us today, such as the good of philosophy, the effects of religion, the persistence of tragedy, and the crisis of the humanities in an age of technology. Few scholars in modern times can match Kaufmann鈥檚 range of interests, from philosophy and literature to intellectual history and comparative religion, from psychology and photography to art and architecture. Corngold provides a heartfelt portrait of a man who, to an extraordinary extent, transfigured his personal experience in the pages of his books.
This original study, both appreciative and critical, is the definitive intellectual life of one of the twentieth century鈥檚 most engaging yet neglected thinkers. It will introduce Kaufmann to a new generation of readers and serves as a fitting tribute to a scholar鈥檚 incomparable libido sciendi, or lust for knowledge.
Awards and Recognition
- A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year
"Best known for inaugurating the rehabilitation of Nietzsche, Kaufmann is portrayed in Stanley Corngold鈥檚 splendid recent biography鈥�Walter Kaufmann: Philosopher, Humanist, Heretic鈥攁s the conduit through which [Martin] Buber鈥檚 teaching entered the American conversation."鈥擝enjamin Balint, Wall Street Journal
"[A] luminous biography."鈥�Kirkus
"In this new work, [Stanley] Corngold presents a historical account of philosopher Walter Kaufmann's writings, which ranged widely from ethics and religion to a major rethinking of Friedrich Nietzsche. Thorough and engaging, Corngold presents a vivid picture of Kaufmann's life through an analysis of his most influential works."鈥擶illiam Simkulet, Library Journal
"Corngold鈥檚 鈥榩hilosophical biography鈥� portrays Kaufmann as a fascinating, admirable, and flawed character. After a brief biographical chapter, Corngold takes us through Kaufmann鈥檚 intellectual journey from his first book to his last. The detailed discussions of Kauf颅mann鈥檚 individual works, supplemented by an array of philosophical and liter颅ary references, are balanced and rich."鈥擫ewis Rosenberg, Australian Book Review
"Corngold writes with a tenacity and intensity that matches his subject . . . [and] proves an admirable guide."鈥擱obert L. Kehoe III, Los Angeles Review of Books
"[A] brilliantly erudite and playful intellectual biography of Kaufmann."鈥擧ugo Drochon, Times Literary Supplement
鈥淲alter Kaufmann鈥攑hilosopher, essayist, poet, translator, editor, teacher, world traveler, and photographer鈥攚as erudite, passionate, opinionated, and deeply controversial. In this sweeping intellectual biography, Stanley Corngold paints a lively and engaging portrait of a thinker whose views on philosophy, art, literature, politics, religion, and modernity remain of immediate importance today鈥攁 portrait that is as touching as it is compelling.鈥濃�擜lexander Nehamas, author of Nietzsche: Life as Literature
鈥淎 deeply felt book. Stanley Corngold has the erudition needed to keep pace with Kaufmann鈥檚 extraordinary range of interests, both philosophical and literary.鈥濃�擬artin Jay, author of Reason after Its Eclipse: On Late Critical Theory
鈥淧ractically every page of this fine book brims with insights. As Corngold very profoundly shows, the reason Walter Kaufmann鈥檚 work speaks to us today is that it reveals what the humanities can do for humanity.鈥濃�擠avid Pickus, author of Dying with an Enlightening Fall: Poland in the Eyes of German Intellectuals, 1764鈥�1800
鈥淲as Kaufmann鈥檚 life tragic? Perhaps. But it would be a greater tragedy if this preternaturally prolific, intensely impassioned, and fundamentally humane thinker were to slip from our view. Stanley Corngold鈥檚 brilliantly written and profoundly generous book will go a long way to making sure that does not happen.鈥濃�擱obert E. Norton, author of Secret Germany: Stefan George and His Circle
"Corngold has written an amazingly erudite and impassioned book on a towering intellectual figure. An absolute marvel and a joy to read."鈥擪eith Ansell-Pearson, author of Nietzsche's Search for Philosophy
