A flurry of books has appeared on Heidegger's seduction by Nazism.... [b]ut Löwith's work has a very special claim, and its publication in English is an event of major significance.... [T]he present volume is unique as an indispensable, insightful, philosophical account of why Heidegger decided for National Socialism. As a devoted student and intimate friend of Heidegger in Freiburg.... Löwith understands Heidegger minutely and sympathetically, and his interpretations of Heidegger's works are wide-ranging and unerring.

Karl Lowith (1897-1973) taught philosophy at the University of Marburg until forced out of Germany in 1934.Richard Wolin, professor of modern European intellectual history at Rice University, is the author of many books, including The Politics of Being: The Political Thought of Martin Heidegger (Columbia).