The Story of Philosophy: 2,500 Years of Great Thinkers from Socrates to the Existentialists and Beyond Hardcover – January 1, 2006

A splendid and readable walk through the ideas of the leading Western philosophers over the past 2,500 years. A long last, I have a real sense of what philosophers do. Perhaps contrary to the author's intentions, I have no desire to learn any more. As I worked through the sequence, I was constantly reminded of that wonderful quote from Omar Khayyam "Myself when young did eagerly frequent doctor and saint, and heard great argument about it and about: but evermore came out the same door as in I went." I took out of this book - perhaps completely contrary to the author's intentions - that philosophy has much more in common with religion and politics than I should wish. That brand to which one signs up is dictated, not by logic or reason, but primarily by one's own starting values and willingness to believe. Nevertheless, I'd far rather read this book than a similar effort on religion or politics. Furthermore, this is where I shall turn when my other reading makes reference to a philosopher and I need some background.

It is hard to believe that these is a professor of philosophy out there who can write clearly and can actually teach what he knows. Brian Magee is the professor I wish I had in college.

This is a wonderful book to have if you are interested in philosophy. I love all the pictures and stories on various great thinkers. This book is a MUST have for anybody that is curious about the great thinkers of the past.

Great value! So much of great information. Beautiful work ofarts included within each historic period.

Readable, interesting, even fascinating. A great survey