Young Person's Guide to Philosophy [Hardcover]

Jeremy Weate (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 1998

From Socrates and Plato to Kant, Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir, here is an entertaining look at the world's greatest thinkers and their ideas, presented in a lively way that makes this intriguing subject accessible to all ages. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-An overly ambitious attempt to answer questions that kids may not even be asking. This title takes DK's "snippet" approach to nonfiction, offering little bits of loosely correlated information along with attractive illustrations. In this case, the complexity of the subject and its unfamiliarity to readers make this title problematic. Major Western philosophers (e.g., Plato, Socrates, Nietzsche, Aquinas) are introduced on two-page spreads, while those less well known (e.g., Thales, Anaximander) are treated in smaller paragraphs. The cartoon illustrations of each of these thinkers are highlighted with chatty personal tidbits reminiscent of Kathleen Krull's "Lives of..." books (Harcourt). However, the format is not as successful here. Short captioned illustrations depicting important symbols, occurrences, or people of the time appear as sidebars. A section titled "Philosophy Today" provides a few scant sentences about modern-day thinkers such as Michael Foucault and Jacques Derrida. In the final chapter, schools of thought (e.g., the Empiricists and the Rationalists) are broken down chronologically. In addition to introducing new concepts, this portion goes into greater detail on some of the philosophers presented earlier. It is distracting to have to flip back and forth to get all of the information on an individual. Although this visually appealing book might catch the eye of an otherwise uninterested child, the difficult subject matter and complicated presentation limit its audience.
Christy Norris Blanchette, Valley Cottage Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN (September 21, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789430746
• ISBN-13: 978-0789430748
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Philosophy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding introduction to great thinkers, October 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Young Person's Guide to Philosophy (Hardcover)

This book provides excellent, brief, and simply worded accounts summarizing key arguments of the great philosphers (and some also-rans). Strength: clear but not condescending sketches of some very difficult ideas. Drawback: Personality eccentricities are overemphasized. The recommended age range is misleadingly low: my nine-year-olds who are advanced readers found it challenging but within their grasp; an advanced 8-year-old friend gave it up as too hard; and a 10-year old friend who is a very good reader found it profitable and informative. I'd recommend 9-12 as the age range.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of philosophy, December 1, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Young Person's Guide to Philosophy (Hardcover)

We paid overdue fines at the library on this book as we waited for interested family members to finish reading it. Now we're buying it to keep on hand as a good reference tool. It's a children's book but was also a good review/overview for adults too.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How'd They Do It?, July 3, 2001

By 

John (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Young Person's Guide to Philosophy (Hardcover)

I just wonder what the publisher thought when the idea of an overview of philosophy for young people was first proposed. Luckily, they must not have been paying much attention because this extraordinary book is in print. It's really amazing that they could pull this book off. How do you explain what the great thinkers throughout history have thought to teenagers and younger? Somehow, Jeremy Weate was able to break down philosophies to their most basic forms. Weate was also aided by his sense of humor and by the pictures of Peter Layman which can help keep interest from swaying. This really is a very valuable resource. This book is supposed to be directed toward readers of the ages 4-8, but I think it is better for a little older audience. I was able use it very effectively in some college English courses I took in high school. A Young Person's Guide to Philosophy is really excellent. It is really an interesting read and can be very useful.