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Story of Philosophy
 
 
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Story of Philosophy (Paperback)

~ (Author), Jonathan Metcalf (Editor)
Key Phrases: bodily apparatus, Middle Ages, World War, Bertrand Russell (more...)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
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  Hardcover, September 14, 1998 -- $26.29 $6.12
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Story of Philosophy + The Great Philosophers: An Introduction to Western Philosophy + Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers
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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. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


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. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: DK ADULT; 1st edition (July 1, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 078947994X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0789479945
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.7 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #424,163 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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More About the Author

Bryan Magee
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:
Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
bodily apparatus
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Middle Ages, World War, Bertrand Russell, Karl Marx, Dark Ages, Alexander the Great, King Charles, Roman Empire, French Revolution, Sigmund Freud, Royal Society, City of London, North Africa, Continental Europe, Das Kapital, The Prince, Jean-Paul Sartre, Catholic Church, Middle East, Marcus Aurelius, Thomas Aquinas, Adam Smith, Communist Manifesto, Logical Positivism, John Stuart Mill
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Customer Reviews

36 Reviews
5 star:
 (22)
4 star:
 (7)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (2)
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (36 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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62 of 63 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
(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]

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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars the story of my book, June 22, 2003
By A Customer
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...
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21 of 22 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)    (REAL NAME)         
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.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
An excellent overview of western philosophical thought, with a brief section on eastern philosophy. Anyone who doesn't come away from reading this feeling enlightened just isn't... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sturmey Archer

5.0 out of 5 stars worked out great
the book was great, just what my son needed for school. The shipping took a little longer than expected.
Published 2 months ago by Penny J. Beam

4.0 out of 5 stars The never ending quest
I have this book in Swedish, and I agree with the other reviewers. It's not a book for philosophy students or philosophers, being far too simple. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ashtar Command

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book
The first thing that meets the eye with this book is its wonderful presentation. Practically all DK books astound by their artwork and presentation, and this is certainly no... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mark Montebello Daritama

1.0 out of 5 stars BAD
I still have not received this book and I purchased it a month ago. I needed it for my class and had to go out and buy another so I would not fall behind.
Published 9 months ago by C. Bates

5.0 out of 5 stars The Illustrated Philosopher's Stone
My copy of this book was damaged during Hurricane Ike. I even took pains to store it further inland, away from the Gulf Coast, in what I thought would be a safe place, but Ike... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Ray Erskins

5.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive and beautiful
This book is full of art that enhances the history of philosophy. It also has several references to the philosophers' writings. Read more
Published 14 months ago by L. L. D. Roovers

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent, But Biased
The Story of Philosophy is an encyclopedic history of philosophy. It is well laid out, being divided by eras of philosophy. Read more
Published 17 months ago by S. Payne

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent guide for a beginner or student
The DK series of books seem targeted for younger readers, and Bryan Magee's comprehensive guide to philosophers throughout history is no exception. Read more
Published on January 15, 2007 by Barbara L. Lemaster

5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible introduction to Philosophy
In this short book, Magee examines the history of Western philosophy by looking at key philosophers and their ideas. Read more
Published on November 20, 2006 by Greg

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