Customer Reviews

Kingship of God (Rep)

5 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am the Richard W. Scheimann who completed this translation in 1964. You can read my translator's forward to this book (....)

In 1964, when I was preparing this book for publication, I wrote:

"If I were asked why I undertook the arduous task of translating Koenigtum Gottes I would reply: "Because I once met Martin Buber." When I was a graduate student in History of Religions at the University of Chicago my teacher and friend, Prof. Joachim Wach, had as his guests for an evening Martin Buber and a small circle of students. Our distinguished visitor did not give us a prepared speech, but instead responded to our interests and questions. I do not remember anything that was said on that occasion. I remember only that Dr. Buber spoke slowly and softly, gazing intently into the eyes of each one who addressed him. I would not have said (as some have) that he looked like an Old Testament prophet, but he certainly looked like a German university professor of a certain vintage, with his black suit of very heavy wool cloth and his massive gold watch chain draped across the front of his vest. At any rate I came away that evening convinced that I had met a genuine charismatic."

I was pleased to learn that the original book had been reissued and is again available in this edition. In 1998 I returned to this work after 34 years, and found that it held more meaning for me than ever. The five star rating is for Buber's work itself, to which I hope my humble translation has provided access to a wider American audience.