Soren Kierkegaard, who was born in Denmark and died there at the age of forty-two, is regarded by many as the father of existentialist thinking. During his lifetime the Hegelian theologian he reacted against the Hegelian theologists in Denmark, denounced organized religion and held that the act of choice by an individual was all-important.

The Diary covers the important elements in Kierkegaard's life, including his childhood, his relations with his father, the influence of other writers on him, his broken engagement (which had a far-reaching effect on the rest of his life), and his celebrated quarrel with the Church.

Kierkegaard's writings are important because he is almost the first European writer to take a modern, analytical, psychological approach to religion. Proust, Joyce, and Aldous Huxley were only a few of the modern writers influenced by the Dane; and Jean-Paul Sartre's philosophy of existentialism is based on his thinking.

This is not a book to start with Kierkegaard. I'd recommend having several, if not many of his works read before picking up the journals. And maybe not even then. If you want a psychological biography or local history for context, then The Journals are worthwhile. Otherwise The Journals knocks Kierkegaard down many pegs, and weakens his arguments by providing a picture of a lesser man than his work. A "humble" man complaining about slights of disrespect. His jilted fiancee doesn't celebrate the anniversary of their engagement twelve years later. Many friend were disloyal for not publicly defending him when "attacked," (i.e. less than glowingly reviewed). The bishop that goes to his grave without acknowledging that Kierkegaard efforts to condemn the Danish Church was really to support the bishop, but the bishop was too stupid to understand. Mingled in are many thoughts, particularly about religion, Christianity and faith, that are pithy and oft quoted. Find the quotes on the web. They will be stronger without the whiny diary of a genius. ( )