Thomas Meyer’s Biography on Hannah Arendt Emphasizes the Importance of Friendship

The manner in which Elisabeth Young-Bruehl crafted an intricate and captivating narrative from the life of Hannah Arendt in her biography, originally published in the year of 1982, stands unrivaled and unparalleled even by today’s standards. Thomas Meyer, in his biographical work on Arendt, makes a wise decision not to attempt emulating or surpassing Young-Bruehl’s narrative prowess. Instead, he takes a unique approach, offering a completely different perspective on Arendt’s life.

In fact, referring to Meyer’s work as a “biography” may not be entirely accurate or do justice to the nature of his book. It is much more than a simple recounting of events and incidents. It could be better described as a philosophical interpretation of history, comprising distinct sections and passages, rather than a chronological recounting of a life. This structure is reminiscent of Walter Benjamin’s unfinished magnum opus, which was dedicated to the city of Paris and fittingly titled “Passages.”

Benjamin viewed Paris as “the capital of the 19th century.” Drawing a parallel, one could argue that Hannah Arendt, with her intellectual prowess and contributions, could be seen as an emblematic figure of the 20th century. And with Thomas Meyer’s unique and insightful interpretation of her life and work, it can be said that Arendt has found her Benjaminian historian.