Paul Mendes-Flohr illuminates Martin Buber’s central themes in a wholly different light from that of the predominant line of interpretation. Consequently, Buber’s work assumes even greater importance than previous analyses have assigned. Emerging from the narrowly conceptualized existentialist interpretations, he becomes an intellectually powerful figure, occupying a formidable position within the contemporary setting of German social theory. A publication in the _Culture of Jewish Modernity_ series.