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Title: Story of Philosophy by Bryan Magee ISBN: 0-7894-7994-X Publisher: DK Publishing Pub. Date: 01 July, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.6 (20 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Beautiful Introduction & Overview of Philosophy
Comment: 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]
Rating: 5
Summary: "Lord, make me chaste, but not yet." -- Saint Augustine
Comment: Bryan Magee intended for this book to be an accessible and extensive overview of the history of philosophy. In my opinion, his THE STORY OF PHILOSOPHY accomplishes exactly that.
From the standpoint of being an overview, it covers trends in philosophy and the individuals who influenced these trends from the early Greek philosophers to the present day.
From the standpoint of accessibility, he uses language, thoughts, and anecdotes that are easily understandable without ever stooping to condescension.
Yes, the book is lavishly illustrated and could be an attractive "coffee table" book, but it is much more than just that. I found it both interesting and informative. Like so many good books of this nature, it gives enough information to create interest in following up on any of a number of subjects discussed in whatever depth one might choose. It also contains a good list of more detailed books on many of the great thinkers down through history who have been discussed here, coupled with the suggestion that one ought not to just read about them, but should also read their actual works.
In Magee's discussion of Saint Auguztine, he (Magee) shows Saint Augustine to be a real person with pain and desires just like the rest of us. He mentions that when Augustine was young and not yet reconciled to Christianity that he used to pray to God to "make me chaste, but not yet." How much more human could a future Saint be? I mention this because I found it fascinating and because it is indicative of many other special insights one can get from this book.
I found his section on Bertrand Russell to be particularly interesting. When Russell gives two slightly different versions of the same statement and discusses how one version goes against known fact and is therefore false, but the second version is without any factual basis and therefore cannot be proved to be either true or false he provides much food for thought.
There are discussions of everyone from Socrates to Kant; from French Philosophy to German Philosophy; from the early Greek world to the world of the 20th century; and more, much more.
There is also a handy glossary to explain the special nuances of many terms. All in all, I think that Magee has done an admirable job of writing a very readable book that meets his goal of accessibility coupled with a fairly comprehensive overview of his subject.
Rating: 5
Summary: Wonderful to read-----Plus great Paintings
Comment: one of the most wonderful books i have read this year. wonderful paintings included which would inspire the readers.
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