The Logic of Desire: An Introduction to Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit Book

Arguably, there are at least 3 commentaries that one should consider reading. H.S. Harris' titanic Hegel's Ladder is the longest and most erudite. Hyppolite's Genesis and Structure is the most read and most influential. Kalkavage's Logic of Desire is more more approachable than either. But that isn't the main reason why you should read it.

Why, then, is this the best commentary on the Phenomenology of Spirit? Because it is the only one that is *just* about the Phenomenology. It isn't about Hegel's thought in general or Hegel's context or Hegel scholarship or Hegel's influence on later thought (if you want any or all of those or want to become a Hegel scholar, read Harris, he's a legend). Logic of Desire is just about Hegel's wild first book from start to finish.

Kalkavage follows the movement of the text closely and writes in clear, fluid prose. He is familiar with the tradition and helps the reader see how much Hegel is drawing on ancient, medieval and early modern philosophy, science and literature, while keeping the focus squarely on Hegel's arguments. Kalkavage is especially helpful on 1) the often strange natural scientific ideas that pop up in the book and 2) the nuances of the literary and poetic works Hegel engages.