The work of Ernst Bloch stands as one of the most significant contributions to twentieth-century philosophy and cultural theory. Elaborated across more than seven decades of publication, lecturing, and teaching, his innovative formulations of utopianism, materialism, and Marxist theory have touched upon a remarkable variety of subjects, disciplines, and art forms. Consequently, his influence is as broad as it is profound, reaching work in literature and aesthetics, speculative and practical philosophy, religious studies and liberation theology, music and music history, social theory, and political science. This kind of extensive applicability is grounded in the nature of his unrestricted, highly literary approach to philosophy. It is perhaps best reflected by the sheer diversity of the close friendships and professional associations that he enjoyed throughout his long and productive life, many of whom include the most important authors, artists, composers, and intellectuals of the century. The conversation, encompassing the entire...