The Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Kierkegaard and Fear and Trembling (Routledge Philosophy GuideBooks) [Paperback]

John Lippitt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415180473 | ISBN-13: 978-0415180474 | Publication Date: August 7, 2003 | Edition: 1

Kierkegaard is widely regarded as the 'father of existentialism', although his influence can be observed across the spectrum of twentieth century continental philosophy and philosophy of religion. Fear and Trembling is his most compelling and popular work and is heralded as a benchmark in twentieth century philosophy.

The Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Kierkegaard and Fear and Trembling examines the major themes that arise in this classic work of religious and existential philosophy. It also explores the broader aspects of Kierkegaard's influence on philosophy as a whole. The book assumes no previous knowledge of Kierkegaard's work and will be essential reading for any student studying the ideas of this important thinker.
Kierkegaard and Fear and Trembling introduces and assesses:
Kierkegaard's life and the background to Fear and Trembling
The ideas and text of Fear and Trembling, his most famous work
Kierkegaard's continuing importance in philosophy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

John Lippitt manages to capture the brightness and excitement of Kierkegaard's remarkable work while explicating its themes with depth and insight. On every page one find eye-opening clues and interpretations. This little book is a treasure.
–Charles Guignon, University of South Florida

This is an excellent and much-needed commentary on what is possibly Kierkegaard's most widely-read work. It is an engaging and accessible introduction to a highly complex text, and steers an expert course between the crudity of certain 'literal' readings and the excesses of some postmodern accounts.
–Anthony Rudd, St Olaf College

'John Lippitt manages to capture the brightness and excitement of Kierkegaard's remarkable work while explicating its themes with depth and insight. On every page.
one finds eye-opening clues and interpretations. This little book is a treasure.' South Floridaignon, University of clearly-written and thorough introduction to this fascinating but difficult text, which brings out the full range of its implications for moral philosophy and the philosophy of religion.
–Stephen Mulhall, Oxford University

About the Author

John Lippitt is Reader in Ethics and Philosophy of Religion at the University of Hertfordshire. He is author of Humour and Irony in Kierkegaard's Thought (2000).

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (August 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415180473
• ISBN-13: 978-0415180474
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,792,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Companion to the Actual Work, May 2, 2007

By 

John Benintendi "J.K. Benintendi" (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Kierkegaard and Fear and Trembling (Routledge Philosophy GuideBooks) (Paperback)

This is not the first Routledge Philosophy Guidebook that I have read. However, this is the first one that I have read along with the actual work. I read the actual work and then read that portion of the Guidebook that dealt with that part of the actual work that I just read.

I found this book to be very good in explaining what I just read. The actual work is not easy to follow and it does take someone who knows the work to explain it in much greater and clearer detail. Mr. Lippitt does just that. He also gives other points of view from other scholars which is a good idea.

If you are looking to read Fear and Trembling but need help in interpreting what is going on, this is a very good source. Mr. Lippitt does a very good job in explaining the difference between the "Knight of Infinite Resignation" and the "Knight of Faith". This was a very difficult concept for me to grasp from the actual work but I did get it after reading the Guidebook.

This book is worth the price so as to better understand a classic piece of philosophical and religious writing. The reason for the 4 star rating is that I have not read other interpreations of Fear and Trembling so I did not yet want to give it a 5 star rating.

5 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars disappointing, March 3, 2007

By 

dont buy this book - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Kierkegaard and Fear and Trembling (Routledge Philosophy GuideBooks) (Paperback)

I was really unimpressed by Lippitt's Guide of Fear and trembling. I thought he misinterpreted a lot of it and was way too into trying to express the ideas in this book through logic even though Johannes spends considerable time trying to distance himself from systematic philosophy and abstract principles (at least in regards to faith). Lippitt's book was almost as difficult to read as the original Fear and Trembling. I'd avoid this book, it really wasnt worth the money.