| History of Philosophy Guide In Verse |
The Columbia History of Western Philosophy ed. Richard H. Popkin. ed., HC, MJF Press, Columbia University Press, 1999, 836pp. This book is composed of signed selections by numerous writers. The editor must have "rode herd" over the writers, for the articles are uniformly clear and very well written. It is also a great reference book, which covers the whole range of Western philosophy. I wouldn't recommend it as your first book in Philosophy, but it certainly could be your second or third, especially if you first take our Philosophy course, or read any other book in this grouping. Good quality used copies for about $20, have been consistently available on Amazon.com for quite some time, I've seen.
How To Read A Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren, Harper Touchstone, 1972, 426pp. I read an older edition of this book in the early 1960's, when I was in h.s. I had discovered the book on my own, however, and its lessons stayed with me. This new edition has gotten very good reviews on Amazon.com. The Table of Contents, which you could view on Amazon looks like the material I studied. Adler edited the "Great Books" series, the Encylopedia Brittanica, and worked extensively in the field of Adult Education. This is a great book to help you get the most from the act of reading, in any subject. I recommend it highly.
A World of Ideas - A Dictionary of Important Theories, Concepts, Beliefs, and Thinkers, Chris Rohmann, Ballantine Books, 1999, 477pp. PB. This book is clearly written and well organized. It includes selections on key ideas and themes from many fields, including philosophy.
Oxford Illustrated History of Western Philosophy, ed. Anthony Kenny, selections were written by 7 scholars, includ. Kenny, Oxford University Press, first pub 1994, 407 pp. PB. Very clearly written and beautifully illus.
Fifty Major Philosophers: A Reference Guide, Diane Collinson, Diane Collonson, Rutledge, 1987, 170 pp. PB. Clearly written for a condensed guidebook on the subject.
Masterpieces of World Philosophy : Nearly 100 classics of the world' greatest philosophers analyzed and explained, Frank N. Magill, Editor, Harper Collins, 1990, 684 pp. HC. Condensed, and a good summary of individual philosophers.
Concise Encyclopedia of Western Philosophy and Philosophers, ed. J.O. Urmson and Jonathan Ree, 1989, 330 pp. PB. London, Unwin, Hyman. Concise and informative.
Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers, S.E. Frost, Barnes and Noble Everyday Handbook, orig . 1942, 315pp. PB. Numerous articles.
Philosophy for Beginners, Richard Osborne, Writers and Readers Publishing, trade paperback illustrated in comic book format. They have published several dozen books in many areas, in the comic book format, including some on some individual philosophers, and schools of thought. 1992, 180 pp. Very readable, informative, and fun to read.
The Philosophers: Their Lives and the Nature of their Thought, Ben-Ami Scharfstein, Oxford University Press, 1980 1st pub., 486 pp. PB. Informative, very readable and noteworthy for the amount of biographical material, which is incorporated in the philosophical account.
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