Story of Philosophy [Hardcover]

Bryan Magee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1998

The unprecedented success of Jostein Gaarder's Sophie's World has fueled a worldwide explosion of interest in philosophy, yet there are few accessible introductions to this subject. Harnessing DK's unparalleled ability to make words and pictures work together, The Story of Thought simplifies a subject in which we all have interest, but which few find accessible. Bryan Magee, world-renowned philosopher and author makes The Story of Thought an easy pathway into the history of ideas and thinking. Features 30 key philosophers including Plato, Aristotle, and Nietzshe. Follows the best-selling format of the highly successful Sister Wendy's Story of Painting.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Bryan Magee has been one of the most successful English-language popularizers of philosophy in the 20th century; in this coffee-volume, he presents a brief but information-packed history of Western philosophy from pre-Socratic Greek philosophers like Thales and Heraclitus to postmodern French thinkers like Derrida and Foucault. Illustrations fill every page, offering not only portraits of the major philosophical thinkers but illustrations of some of their key concepts, while ample marginalia provide supplementary information for historical context.

From School Library Journal

YA-This gloriously illustrated and accessible book enables readers to embark on an adventure in philosophy. The chapters cover "The Greeks and Their World," "Christianity and Philosophy," "The Beginnings of Modern Science," "The Great Rationalists," "The Great Empiricists," "Revolutionary French Thinkers," "A Golden Century of German Philosophy," "Democracy and Philosophy," and "20th-Century Philosophy." The text is profusely illustrated with numerous full-color reproductions of artwork and photographs of historical sites; sidebars introduce additional people and ideas and "Key Works" of the philosophers are listed in light-blue boxes. Writing with a clear and lively style, Magee provides an excellent introduction to the topic. Young adults will find that the often closed doors of philosophy are now open and inviting.
Marsha S. Holden, Highland Community College, Freeport, IL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1 edition (September 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078943511X
• ISBN-13: 978-0789435118
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #358,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Introduction & Overview of Philosophy, May 20, 2002

By 

Bradley A. Swope (State College, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Story of Philosophy (Hardcover)

REVIEW: It's not often that I refer to a book as "beautiful", but that's the first word that comes to my mind for this book. I wish more books that tackle serious subjects were written in this style. It opens up learning of the subject to a broader audience. Magee's book seems almost perfect as an introduction, overview, and rough history of philosophy. It should make an excellent introduction and light reference book to the non-expert reader.

I have often read books (e.g. books by Peter Drucker) that refer to various philosophers and their writings and I typically felt I had an inadequate understanding since I had very little knowledge of philosophy. So I borrowed this book from a library and enjoyed it so much that I decided to purchase it. I especially like the way the book is organized into small, easy to read chapters with many graphics, and short sidebars. Magee also does an excellent job of tying the philosophers into the context of the art, religion, and history of each period (in a basic, not too detailed way).

STRENGTHS: Easy to read; very well organized; lots of supporting graphics (e.g. photos of period art) and sidebars; excellent index and list of suggested further readings for each philosopher; just the right level of detail for an introduction.

WEAKNESSES: Academics or those more knowledgable of philosophy may find the book too simple, or even childish (easy to read and lots of pictures).

WHO SHOULD READ THIS BOOK: Those who do not have an existing knowledge base of philosophy and who are looking for an easy to read general introduction, overview, or history of philosophy.

[feedback welcome]

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the story of my book, June 22, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Story of Philosophy (Paperback)

My father found this book in the trash where he works, and he took it out. I know people buy and sell things like this, and my father gave it to me when someone else had discarded it, but to me it is priceless! There have been nights when I've fallen asleep and this book was next to me, and I believe I dreamed of all the glorious thoughts which have come before me. To consider that someone must have been the first to think of the fact that nothing is constant in this world, that we can't know this or that for certain... I myself have come up with some ideas, on my very own, which I have found to have been original in past centuries. This book will give anyone who cares a deeper understanding of where their own ideas originated. All these ideas which we so take for granted were NEW at one time or other. This book will only make the curious mind long for more. The author does a wonderful job of making something very confusing easy to comprehend, and the supplemental information shows how thought and the rest of the world are inseparable. This book is a treasure. And to think someone actually threw it away...

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to Major Ideas in Philosophy, November 3, 2003

By 

Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Story of Philosophy (Paperback)

Not to be confused with the Will Durant book of a similar title, this glossy book packed with color illustrations and photographs is an introductory book to the major movements of western philosophy. Beginning with the Greeks, Magee takes the reader through the ideas of early Christianity and early modern science, following the natural progression into the rationalists and the empiricists. French, German, and early American philosophy follow in separate sections detailing the basic ideas of philosophers such as Descartes, Hume, Rousseau, and Hegel. Magee ends with twentieth century philosophy, offering predictions for future trends in philosophical thought.

This book makes a fine touchstone to remind one of certain schools of philosophy or to learn about the most famous thinkers of western civilization. This book is far too slender to include some of the more intricate ideas or lesser known individuals who have nonetheless made contributions to the field. Regardless, this attractive book makes a good reference tool when navigating major trends of thought.