This is obviously a fine commentary on a classic philosopher, but it's also a very difficult book. As Taylor says in the introduction, he can not simplify Hegel's ideas too much without distorting them. Avoiding distortion has clearly been an important goal for him and I imagine that this is a very useful book for professional interpreters of Hegel. But students and laymen will find the majority of this book very difficult to understand, almost on a par with the original works. Be prepared for some torturous elaborations on the self-realizing Spirit. However, one part of the book differs from the rest. Taylor's discussion of Hegel's political philosophy, a fairly brief segment of just over 50 pages, is in my opinion magnificent and much easier to understand than the other parts. He raises some very interesting questions and his own philosophical acumen is particularly evident in this section. I found his application of Hegel's political philosophy to contemporary society most interesting. Of course they are mere examples but they certainly kindled my interest for this aspect of Hegel's philosophy.

I bought this book because I thought that Taylor would be a more manageable route to Hegel than the translated original works, but that was not really the case. I can't say I really understand more about Hegel's spiritual philosophy after reading this book than I did before. Taylor's presentation is difficult and I did not have sufficient interest to follow him through every twist and turn of Hegel's obscure system. For laymen interested in this system, I think an easier introductory book will be more helpful than this one. But anyone interested in Hegel's political philosophy should read what Taylor has to say about it. I doubt that you'll find a more useful guide on that subject elsewhere.

Finally, I haven't read Taylor's other book, Hegel and Modern Society, but it seems like it may contain much the same material that I have praised here.

C. Taylor is providing an overview of Hegel's work that is making it accessible to me - I have found reading Hegel (translated to english) very difficult. ( )