1. John Macquarrie  Existentialism

(place; publishers, 1972
(Library of Congress call number:
(ISBN:

    This is simply the best book on existentialism.
I have read it two times (at least) separated by more than 20 years.
It has stood the test of time already.
Macquarrie treats the subject thematically
rather than discussing existentialism one thinker at a time.
The major themes are: human existence,
freedom of action, language, feelings, etc.
Each of these gets a chapter of its own.

    This organization of the book
allows the reader who is new to existentialism
to begin reading on whatever theme is most interesting.

David E. Cooper  Existentialism

(Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 1999---second edition)       220 pages
(ISBN: 0-631-21322-8; hardcover)
(ISBN: 0-631-21323-6; paperback)
(Library of Congress call number: B819.C62 1999)

     The main virtue of this book is that it is readily available.
It is a competent review of the main ideas of existentialism
by a man who is now a professor of philosophy.
It was originally published in 1990, when I first read it.
I have read it again in the new edition, hoping for improvements,
but the book remains basically the same,
with an appendix added, which answers the claim
that Heidegger and Sartre are substantially different.

     The first half of the book deals with the philosophical background.
And when Cooper finally gets around
to the new themes presented in existentialism,
he gives only a superficial analysis.
For example, his analysis of angst, death, and absurdity
are not nearly as deep as presented in Our Existential Predicament,
which I should admit was written by this reviewer.

     For all readers who are hoping for
a passionately existential book on existentialism,
this book will be a disappointment.
It is an academic rather than an existential approach to the subject.
The author remains an observer of existentialism from outside,
rather than a living person whose life has been changed
by existential insights and perspectives.

     Nevertheless, it could be a good place to begin reading
for someone who knows nothing about existentialism.
Just don't let your whole impression of existentialism
be formed by this one book.

    Please suggest additional books to be added to this bibliography.
Send your comments and suggestions to James Park:
PARKx032@TC.UMN.EDU

Related bibliographies:

Original Books of Existential Philosophy

Best Books on Authenticity

Books on Existential Spirituality

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