Comprehensive, highly visual, and filled with insightful observations, The Story of Philosophy opens up the world of philosophical ideas in a way that is easily understood by everyone. Bryan Magee embarks on an entertaining and enlightening journey and addresses such influential questions as "What is Philosophy?" "What is being?" and "Can the existence of God be proved?"
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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.
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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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
76 of 77 people found the following review helpful
Format: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]
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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...
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Informative Information and Attractive Format
I've always found philosophy and philosophers interesting, but my life circumstances haven't led me to be able to devote my whole life to reading them all, although I have read... Read more
Published 6 months ago by L. L Teuling
An excellent introduction and a beautifully done book!
This is a very readable although fairly short illustrated history of philosophy, by an extremely knowledgeable author. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Music Critic
Hands down the best book I've found on the subject
The Story of Philosophy is a facinating and highly informative introduction to the history of western philosophy. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Renowal
I love it.
Exactly the right book I was looking for. My class had to switch texts because the newest edition was apparently not available so it was a little tricky finding this text. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Aaron
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 on September 27, 2009 by Sturmey Archer
worked out great
the book was great, just what my son needed for school. The shipping took a little longer than expected.
Published on September 10, 2009 by Penny J. Beam
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 on July 20, 2009 by Ashtar Command
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 on April 4, 2009 by Mark Montebello Daritama
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 on December 10, 2008 by Ray Erskins
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 on September 17, 2008 by L. L. D. Roovers
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Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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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 Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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 Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
12
books
cite this book:
See all 12 books citing this book
- Woodturning Design (Mike Darlow's Woodturning) by Mike Darlow on page 10, and page 39
- Education, Religion and Society: Essays in Honour of John M. Hull (Routledge Research in Education) by Dennis Bates on page 94
- Confessions of a Philosopher: A Personal Journey Through Western Philosophy from Plato to Popper (Modern Library Paperbacks) by Bryan Magee in Front Matter
- Philosophy & Living by Ralph Blumenau in Back Matter
- Children as Philosophers: Learning Through Enquiry and Dialogue in the Primary Classroom by Joanna Haynes in Back Matter
See all 12 books citing this book
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