Frederick C. Beiser

Pretty interesting and well written introduction to Hegel. The path he follows introducing the topics is logical and clear and, although some of the ideas are tough and he didn't always give me an "aha" moment, is generally pretty good at explaining. He gives important Kantian/idealism/romantic background to each of Hegel's ideas and generally gives a very short prompt when ideas already explained are referenced later on. I didn't find myself lost at any point, even when I couldn't wrap my head around a few of the most difficult ideas.

The ideas themselves are fascinating and presented in a way that I was interested even when I thought they were total bollocks. Hegel's ideas about the perfect state are kind of amusing, but also interesting in the ways they prefigure social democrat policies. His dialectic and unity/identity/unity-in-identity path are surprisingly compelling.… (more)