David Rodick’s fascinating study tracks the French philosopher Gabriel Marcel's conversations with the Americans Henry Bugbee, W. E. Hocking, Josiah Royce, and William James. It's a pleasure to get in step as Marcel pursues the religious and spiritual veins of everyday experiences of others, art, and nature, accompanied by these Americans. We trace their subtle explorations of what Marcel calls the mystery of being.

Edward F. Mooney, Syracuse University

An important thinker in twentieth century thought, Gabriel Marcel’s affinity for, and debt to, American philosophy is well known, especially the work of Josiah Royce, William James, William Ernest Hocking and Henry Bugby. Yet David Rodick’s book is the first extensive study of Marcel’s interaction with these distinguished American thinkers. It provides a fascinating introduction to the central themes of radical empiricism, intersubjectivity and transcendence, and also illuminates the continuing relevance of Marcel’s ideas for our times. The book is a first rate addition to the literature on Marcel.

Brendan Sweetman, Rockhurst University

The influence of idealism on Marcel’s early philosophy is often noted, but Rodick tells a more complex story. His essays explore historical and philosophical intersections between the thought of Gabriel Marcel and the work of American philosophers Josiah Royce, William Ernest Hocking and Henry Bugbee. Rodick demonstrates their interactions with Marcel, illuminates central insights of all these philosophers, and achieves particular depth in his analyses of intersubjectivity, praxis, and religious experience. I recommend this book to anyone interested in American philosophy, idealism, Marcel, and/or existential, exploratory thinking.

Teresa I. Reed, Quincy University