This book offers a selection from the writings of the German thinker Martin Heidigger, born September 26, 1889, in Messkirch, died may 26, 1976 in Freiburg. Its dual purpose is to provide English-speaking student of philosophy and the arts and sciences with (1) an introduction to Heidegger's thought and (2) essays particularly thought-provoking for the students' own areas of interest. It advaces the claim to a "basic" selection only with the proviso that essays excluded for reasons of length may also be basic for an understanding of Heidegger's thought. Although Professor Heidegge studied plans for the volume during the winter and spring of 1974-75 and generously offered suggestions concerning inclusions and omissions, the plan adopted here cannot be called an 'authorized" one. Ten selections appear: six complete essays, two uncut excerpts from larger works, and two abridged pieces. With the exception of Reading VI, "Modern Science, Metaphysics, and Mathematics," the sequence of selections is chronological by order of composition. Two considerations ultimately determined the choice of selections. First, I tried to offer a glimpse of Heidegger's path of though from the late 1920s until his death, although restrictions of space forced the exclusion of many essential signposts along that path. Second, I studied each piece with a view to it's autonomy, accessibility, again for reasons of space, I excluded essays on the "history of Being" and on the great thinkers of the Western Tradition--from preface.