Short description
First published in 1946, "History of Western Philosophy" provides a sophisticated overview of the ideas that have perplexed people from time immemorial.
Long description
First published in 1946, History of Western Philosophy went on to become the best-selling philosophy book of the twentieth century. A dazzlingly ambitious project, it remains unchallenged to this day as the ultimate introduction to Western philosophy. Providing a sophisticated overview of the ideas that have perplexed people from time immemorial, Russell's History of Western Philosophy offered a cogent precis of its subject. Of course this cannot be the only reason it ended up the best selling philosophy book of the twentieth century. Russell's book was 'long on wit, intelligence and curmudgeonly scepticism', as the New York Times noted, and it is this, coupled with the sheer brilliance of its scholarship, that has made Russell's History of Western Philosophy one of the most important philosophical works of all time.
Review
"'Remains unchallenged as the perfect introduction to its subject... exactly the kind of philosophy that most people would like to read, but which only Russell could possibly have written.' - Ray Monk; 'Beautiful and luminous prose, not merely classically clear but scrupulously honest.' - Isaiah Berlin; 'A great philosopher's lucid and magisterial look at the history of his own subject, wonderfully readable and enlightening.' - The Observer"