There is no adequate understanding of contemporary Jewish and Christian theology without reference to Martin Buber. Buber wrote numerous books during his lifetime (1878-1965) and is best known for I and Thouand Good and Evil. Buber has influenced important Protestant theologians like Karl Barth, Emil Brunner, Paul Tillich, and Reinhold Niebuhr. His appeal is vast--not only is he renowned for his translations of the Hebrew Bible but also for his interpretation of Hasidism, his role in Zionism, and his writings in psychotherapy and political philosophy. In addition to a general introduction, each chapter is individually introduced, illuminating the historical and philosophical context of the readings. Footnotes explain difficult concepts, providing the reader with necessary references, plus a selective bibliography and subject index. Reviews: “Asher D. Biemann has gathered the ‘essential writings’ of Buber, allowing one to gain an overview of the many bridges he built. The selection also provides a nuanced appreciation of the deep existential and moral commitment that sustained Buber’s life of dialogue. Biemann’s selection is judicious, and his explanatory notes illuminating.” --Paul Mendes-Flohr, Professor of Modern Jewish Thought at The University of Chicago and director of the Franz Rosenzweig Research Center at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem ...a fine tribute to Buber...helpfully places the various works in context. -Publishers Weekly About the Editor: Asher Biemann teaches modern Jewish thought and intellectual history at Harvard University. He is the author of a study on Martin Buber’s philosophy and is co-editor of the first critical edition of Martin Buber’s collected works in German. |