In "The Essential Kierkegaard," readers are invited into the profound depths of Søren Kierkegaard's thought, encapsulating the vast spectrum of his philosophical, theological, and literary explorations. This meticulously curated anthology, the most comprehensive of its kind in English, offers a panoramic view of Kierkegaard's intellectual journey. From his early reflective journal entries to the mature contemplations in "The Changelessness of God," this volume traverses the core of Kierkegaard's writings, illuminating the nuances of his work. Through selections from seminal texts such as "Either/Or," "Fear and Trembling," "Works of Love," and "The Sickness unto Death," alongside less familiar yet equally significant works, the anthology captures the essence of Kierkegaard's endeavor to understand what it means to exist and to be a human being. Crafted with precision and insight by editors Howard and Edna Hong, "The Essential Kierkegaard" not only serves as an introduction to his major themes—spanning ethics, religion, psychology, and literature—but also reveals the intricate dialogue between the various aspects of his thought. With its rich assembly of Kierkegaard's ideas, presented through a blend of irony, satire, and earnestness, this collection stands as a vital guide to understanding a figure whose work has left an indelible mark on modern thought. The anthology's thoughtful organization and explanatory notes ensure that Kierkegaard's compelling voice, with its unique combination of rigor and imagination, speaks directly to the contemporary reader, inviting a deeper engagement with the questions that lie at the heart of our existence.