The Heidegger dictionary /

Dahlstrom's updated edition of The Heidegger Dictionary (1st ed., CH, Jan'14, 51-2397) will be a valuable resource for those studying Heidegger's original texts. Heidegger (1889--1976) is well known for being difficult to grasp, partly because of his style and partly because of his neologisms, some of which change meaning in his corpus as his thought develops. This second edition incorporates meaningful additions, including newly published materials, among them The Black Notebooks. Situated somewhere between a dictionary and encyclopedia, the book provides substantive exposition. The organization is clear and useful. Dahlstrom divides the volume into three sections, the first two of which look at themes and names, including how Heidegger's thought evolved over time. Heidegger's work frequently interacts with the philosophical and artistic works of others, and in this updated edition Dahlstrom discusses the relationship of the philosopher's thought to other seminal thinkers. In section 3 he provides brief summaries of each of Heidegger's works. The introduction offers not only a general summation of Heidegger's thought but also a rich discussion of the criticisms of The Black Notebooks. The appendix includes a brief critique of Heidegger's thought by Dahlstrom. Studying Heidegger is difficult. This text makes it easier. That is a gift. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. --Gwendolyn Jayne Reece, American University