Kierkegaard for Beginners

Author/illustrator Palmer brings out Kierkegaard's brilliance in a way accessible to all, simply conveying the complexity of Kierkegaard the person and Kierkegaard the writings while providing a continuous laugh fitting for SK's own serio-comic ironic style. Kierkegaard's the epitome of epigrammatic writing and living, a zealous genius misrepresented by both secularist existentialists as well as respected Christian theologians/teachers who wrongly accuse SK of throwing out objective Christian truth, when really SK's subjectivity IS the evangelical truth of personal relationship with God, not mere external religious tradition. As for the comics in this book, they (as is SK) are HILarious, though probably more so because of the Bible allusions. This book contains a glossary and bibliography, and after this SK intro I'd recommend 'The Essential Kierkegaard' by the editors Hong, then skipping 'Concept of Irony' and starting with 'Either/Or' reading thru the rest of SK's books, which from the outset were written on 2 parallel tracks, one being pseudonymous works (from which it is unfair to attribute quotes to SK) and the other being signed works. P.S.--it's ironic that SK is now associated with the existentialist all-about-self-and-living-in-the-moment philosophies when SK lived so dead to self (his name even means 'graveyard') and with vision, methodically poured himself out in a planned series of books so that his readers entrapped in dead state church religiosity might become aware that they're dead and need to get a life (a self).

This was the first book I read on philosophy. I was advised one day from a friend to read some western philosophy books, and she suggested the beginners series. I read this in one night (and even though it's a comic-formatted book, it was still kinda difficult to grasp at first). It was as though I became enlightened and wanted to know exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I am now a philosophy major in college. I've read many philosophy books since then and recommend this serious to anyone somewhat interested in philosophy.

One day I was inspired to read Either/Or by this great philosopher. Suddenly painful memories rose to the surface as I remembered the struggle with this author's thoughts in my undergraduate and graduate classes in philosophy. Kierkegaard is not fun reading on any level. So what do you do when you want to revisit or re-read a major philosophical work but don't want to go through the pain? "Kierkegaard For Beginners" was my answer. Using a cartoon format laced with humor this book takes the most complex philosopher and makes his life and works accessible to the general reader. One must remember that this is not an introductory text book on Kierkegaard's philosophy nor does it go into a deep analysis of his work. It covers the broad spectrum of his works without "dummying down" the thinker's ideas. Of course this isn't a substitute for reading the original works but it certainly puts you in touch with the major ideas of Kierkegaard that will motivate you to learn more about him. I highly recommend this book for high school students ( Do they take philosophy in high school any more?) and those in undergraduate classes of philosophy on the introductory level. It is a great supplementary work in making a great man's ideas accessible to students. And besides, it is fun and makes Kierkegaard a pleasure to study.

Palmer does a better job than is imaginable with his medium. Contrary to Anonymous Boston reader's comments, this is not a comic book - although it does have illustrations. But those illustrations add everything to the book. They are Palmer's mode of expressing wit and lightening and personalizing what is basically a philosophical book. I understand that Palmer takes this approach in many of his works; I plan to find more of them. I bought other books in the "For Beginners series" thinking they would all be this good, but Palmer's are the best book of this sort I have in my collection. This book helped stimulate me into an abiding interest in Kierkegaard's thoughts and life. As I've read more (of course, SK's writings, Lowrie's biography, and compilations like the "parables") I've found myself returning to Palmer over and over again. This book gives a compelling rendition of Kierkegaard and remains one of my favorite introductory philosophy books. A treasure - and a travesty that it is out of print. Publishers! You do us a grand disservice!

I always found Kierkegaards work archaic in language and dense in thought. However, this book helped me work through that in laying the underpinning's of Kierkegaards philosophy in a soft tangible style that is easy for anyone to grasp and enjoy. Perhaps this book will not propel everyone to investigate further into his works, however it will leave the reader satisfied that one has some base knowledge at hand. Donald Palmer gives a nice presentation of Kierkegaard's work and life from birth to death, which adds to the understanding of Kierkegaards philosophy. Definately reccomended to the beginning student of existentialism and Kierkegaard.