When this book speaks harshly about some of the greatest intellectual leaders of humanity, I hope my intention is not to belittle them. Rather, it stems from my conviction that if our civilization is to survive, we must break the habit of showing respect to great men. - Karl Popper, from the preface.

Written in political exile during World War II and first published in 1945 in two volumes, Karl Popper's "The Open Society and Its Enemies" is one of the most influential books of all time. Bertrand Russell praised it as a powerful and profound defense of democracy; its now legendary critique of the philosophies of Plato, Hegel, and Marx exposed the dangers inherent in centrally planned political systems and became an inspiration for freedom-loving individuals living under communism in Eastern Europe through underground editions. Popper's highly accessible style is scholarly and clear.