Passionate and erudite, engagingly written and courageously profound, this new book by Leonidas Donskis highlights the meanders, dilemmas, and paradoxes of modernity. It should be read by all those who reject simplistic platitudes and who are not afraid of often disturbing complexities. - Vladimir Tismaneanu, University of MarylandThis is a powerful original contribution to the philosophy of culture. Donskis shows that modernity is perforce always troubled, for we are confronted with competing cultural and political traditions from which we have emerged, while we are obliged to face divergent directions for our next steps. The result of Donskis s bold exploration is an impressive travelogue of the human spirit in which the reader takes an active part. This is truly what must be called an engaging book. - Robert Ginsberg, Director, The International Center for the Arts, Humanities, and Value Inquiry