' If in this book harsh words are spoken about some of the greatest among the intellectual leaders of mankind my motive is not I hope to belittle them It springs rather from my conviction that if our civilization is to survive we must break with the habit of deference to great men'
- Karl Popper from the Preface Written in political exile during the Second World War & first published in two volumes in 1945 Karl Popper's The Open Society & Its Enemies is one of the most influential books of all time Hailed by Bertrand Russell as a 'vigorous & profound defence of democracy' its now legendary attack on the philosophies of Plato Hegel & Marx exposed the dangers inherent in centrally planned political systems & through underground editions become an inspiration to lovers of freedom living under communism in Eastern Europe Popper's highly accessible style his erudite & lucid explanations of the thoughts of great philosophers & the recent resurgence of totalitarian regimes around the world are just three of the reasons for the enduring popularity of The Open Society & Its Enemies & why it demands to be read today & in years to come