Ayn Rand Institute Founders of Western Philosophy: Thales to Hume

This is not the only book covering Western Philosophers, but it is the only rationally objective coverage available, as far as I have found. This should be on the reading list of all PhD curriculum not matter the discipline! Having read Peikoff before (The Ominous Parallel) I should recommend placing this man in the bucket list of every reader of the English language. Mr. Peikoff is concise, clean & well spoken, displays a great (but subtle) sense of humor and a flare for the dramatic when called for.Personally, I admit a bias in favor for Mr. Peikoff & his style of writing, as we both studied economics under the same teacher (as did Alan Greenspan), although at different times and places. I submit this tid-bit only in context to his deliberate style being influenced, to some degree, by that same teacher.

Excellent overview of philosophy presented as a connected conceptual progression through history.

This book is a gold mine for anyone who is keenly interested in understanding how philosophy has been shaping the civilisation over centuries, and continues to do so. It is the motive power which builds or destroys fates of billions on this earth. Easy to understand & flowing narrative of Leonard Peikoff’s lectures converted into equally readable book by Michael Berliner.

This is by far the best history of philosphy book in existence, for beginners and experts alike. First of all its clear and very well written. Second, and most important, it really describes the philosophers and there, many times, very illogical and bad philosophies like they really are. The author does not use overly technical terms to muddy the waters when presenting philosophies that really no one can accept when fully understood.

A comprehensive outline of the major figures in Western Philosophy until the start of the 18th century. Clear and objective from start to finish.Great resource for anyone interested in understanding how the ideas of these great thinkers relate to one another and the context in which they did their work.