Collingwood is one of the best philosophers in the tradition of the German Idealists--indeed, reading his work will do more to help you to understand Hegel than reading almost anything else will. Aside from being a great philosopher, he is also an extremely clear writer, and he is able, in simple prose, to demonstrate how dialectical ideas have direct and obvious bearing on everyday life. This book should be the basic "organon" for modern philosophers, but it is, sadly, rarely read. Reading this can improve your understanding of logic, of natural science, of induction and deduction, of historical method, of the distinctive nature of philosophy, of language, and more. It is also an excellent companion to his other great work, "Speculum Mentis." If you know Collingwood only from his writings on art and/or history, you owe it to yourself to read this work (and Speculum Mentis), to understand the deeper philosophical context behind those writings. (Of course, if you don't know his important and influential writings on art and history, you should read those too!) This book is of the highest philosophical and literary calibre, and belongs in every serious philosophical library.