Every student of the twentieth century has heard both of the great Viennese economist Friedrich von Hayek and of the equally great philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. But what isnt well known is that the two were distant cousins and that, shortly after Wittgensteins death in 1951, Hayek set out to write a biography of his cousin. The project was derailed by Wittgenstein family members, who felt it was to soon to publish such a work. But Hayeks draft acquired an underground readership, and Wittgensteins biographers have used it extensively.Here finally, is the text of that work itself. Hayeks account has the great merit of being close to its subject; the draft, moreover sheds light, not only on Wittgenstein but on Hayek as well. Allan Janiks elegant afterword makes these links clear. Anyone interested in Wittgenstein or, for that matter, in the thought and culture of the earlier twentieth century, will want to read Christian Erbachers excellent edition of Hayeks draft biography. - Marjorie Perloff

Christian Erbacher works in the Collaborative Research Center Media of Cooperation at the University of Siegen.