The Guide of the Perplexed, Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Moses Maimonides (Author), Shlomo Pines (Author), Leo Strauss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 1974

This monument of rabbinical exegesis written at the end of the twelfth century has exerted an immense and continuing influence upon Jewish thought. Its aim is to liberate people from the tormenting perplexities arising from their understanding of the Bible according only to its literal meaning. This edition contains extensive introductions by Shlomo Pines and Leo Strauss, a leading authority on Maimonides.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (December 15, 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226502309
• ISBN-13: 978-0226502304
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.8 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Medieval Thought

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Translation Available of an Arabic Masterpiece May 24, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

There is no translation of Maimonides' Guide which compares to this, and, although Pines is known to side more with the Strausian school, his views are rarely if at all worked into this translation. For Maimonidian studies, this is a must buy.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best translation of an essential work January 5, 2002

By R. J. Corbett

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is volume one of a two volume set, so be sure to get both volumes. Volume one contains two interpretive essays, one by Leo Strauss and one by the translator, the former alone making this translation worthy of purchase, according to the Times Literary Supplement. Maimonides' work itself is an intentionally tangled web of reason, and casual readers will likely leave disappointed with its obscure style. Maimonides assumes a great deal of Scriptural knowledge and a familiarity with the most important commentators of his time. Nevertheless, for those willing to put in the effort both in learning the fundamentals of religion and in exploring an almost endless maze of logic, Maimonides will sketch the outlines of his view of philosophy and faith.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Monument of rabbinical exegis and not a philosophical treatise June 30, 2006

By Igor Karpov

Format:Paperback

The appreciation of the book will depend greatly on your level of comfort with the rabbinical view. If you seek a philosophical approach you might be better of with Aristotle and modern science, and if you are interested in rabbinical exegis then go to the source and study the Talmud and other works. Maimonides possesses immense authority and is distanced from us by many centuries. He gives invaluable insight into certain issues but at the same time creates or entrenches other fundamental perplexities open to debate or critique. The introduction will serve the reader well especially on the author's contemporaries. Buy both volumes as the second and the third part of total three parts of the Guide are in the second volume.

Igor Karpov, Toronto,Canada

igorkarpov at rogers dot com