Foreword to the English-Language Edition
FOREWORD TO THE ENGLISH - LANGUAGE EDITION
THIS BOOK is a labor of love, begun and concluded in the late evening hours, but the atmosphere of the Søren Kierkegaard Research Centre, where it is my privilege to work, has been immensely inspiring. I have been the beneficiary of many textual commentaries and explanatory notes that have been produced in connection with the continuing publication of Søren Kierkegaards Skrifter [Søren Kierkegaard’s Writings].
I would like to thank a series of friends and associates and other experts who have listened to my disentanglements along the way, have read greater or lesser portions of the manuscript, and have given valuable advice and hints. It would be too much to single out each individual’s contribution, so they will have to be satisfied with appearing in prosaic, alphabetical order: Søren Bruun, Niels Jørgen Cappelørn, Ulrik Høy, Jette Knudsen, Klaus P. Mortensen, Poul Erik Tøjner, Peter Tudvad, Barbara Vibæk, and Bodil Wamberg. Finally, thanks from the heart to my darling wife, Synne—sine qua non.
I would particularly like to take this opportunity to thank Princeton University Press and editor Ian Malcolm for their flexible and problem-free cooperation. Above all, however, I must thank Bruce H. Kirmmse, whose translation of a lengthy and demanding manuscript has lived up to my fondest hopes, even down to the smallest details. Not only does Kirmmse possess an impressive knowledge of Kierkegaard himself and his historical context, he also has an intimate knowledge of the Danish language and has succeeded in transforming the Danish text into supple and accessible English. His perseverance, acumen, and attention to detail—and, not least, his refreshing cheerfulness—have made our work together truly enjoyable.
Whatever errors and shortcomings, factual or moral, may have concealed themselves nonetheless are entirely my own responsibility.
Joakim Garff