Rating: 
Summary: Fun from Cover to Cover
Review: Donald Palmer has made philosophy a fun event. While the text itself is very simplistic (which I believe is a plus for those who are wanting a cursory reading of the history of philosophy), the thing that stands out in this book is it's illustrations. It amazes me that illustrations could make that much difference in helping the reader understand certain philosopher's philosophy. I highly recommend this book for beginners who are wanting to get their feet wet by reading the history of philosophy. You could not begin with a better book, since this one makes you laugh, gives you greater understanding, and makes the difficult look very easy (a task that is itself very difficult to master). Palmer covers all the major philosophers from the pre-Socratics to the 20th century. This book is systematically put together and has a nice selected bibliography and index. If I were a professor I might possibly consider this text for a first year intro to philosophy class.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for the beginner
Review: I have the 1988 edition so I can't vouch for this edition.
But I have to say if it is anything like this one then by all means grab it. A very readable style with plenty of humours illustrations that make this an unputdownable book. Don't let the cartoons fool you though, you will learn alot.
Rating:
Summary: Good primer
Review: I use this textbook as an introductory guide to Philosophy at a small state college. The students like it, and can actually get through it, and yet it is smart, and doesn't dumb down big ideas. This book is just wonderful, and the author even has a sense of humor. From this, we go on to Seinfeld and Philosophy, and finally Cohen's book A Philosophical Approach to Jokes, if that's the right name. Of these, Palmer's book is far and away the most helpful. I wish there was just a little bit more about the importance of these ideas as they are reflected in the polis. For instance, he goes through the ideas of Hobbes but doesn't talk about where they lead, or the social implications of his ideas.
Rating: 
Summary: Humor for those easily amused
Review: I'm driven to write a short negative review by the acclaim this series of books seems to generate. I suppose I'm alone in thinking that in reading a history of philosophy you should aim for unique perspective, erudition, or outlandish insult. I don't think this series of introductions fulfills any of these roles. While finding a general consensus in the rating of philosophical systems is a pipedream not worth pursuing, there are so many alternative histories worth perusing, that I would advise anyone with a modicum of lively interest in the subject to avoid these books. Even if your looking for the comic book variety of "how to" manuals, there are better to find. I'm repulsed every time I've browsed this title in the local superchain.
Rating:
Summary: Your first flying lesson isn't in the Concorde either...
Review: If anyone out there has an extra membership card for the inscrutable, pedantic philosopher's club, please send it to Donald Palmer because his rights and privileges have been rescinded. LOOKING AT PHILOSOPHY might not survive the syllabi cut at most of the usually suspected citadels of erudition but for the layperson seeking a basic understanding of diverse cosmologies, I doubt an equally informative and entertaining introductory text can be identified. In often sardonic tone, supplemented by lucid illustrations of complex ideas, Mr. Palmer presents a rudimentary overview of western philosophy from the Pre-Socratic era to the late 20th century. While the reader will not be positioned to debate the relative merits of Hegel vis a vis Schopenhauer, or Derrida vis a vis reason, at least the next time the names are encountered he or she will have a generalized understanding of referent concepts, a feel for chronological placement, and an unintimidating resource for clarification. But, alas, Mr. Palmer is not a complete traitor to the tradition. He has selectively excluded some influentials based on individually defined criteria, and women are virtually absent, notwithstanding his politically correct explanation in the preface. One that stands out for me is Ayn Rand and Objectivism. Whether he views her theories as valid, or arguably a convoluted economic system, within the context of this book, her impact over the last half of the 20th century warranted at least a mention. She makes as much sense as Hume, or the deconstructionists.
Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful dead guys brought to life!
Review: My personal interest in the history of Rome and Ancient Greece led to a desire to learn more about philosophy. I was looking for a good overview of the history and development of philosophy, something simple to understand, yet thoughtful, comprehensive, and engaging. Happily, I discovered Palmer's book and have studied Philosophy regularly ever since. This book provides just the right mix of serious appreciation and humorous perspective on the study of Western philosophy. It examines the major schools and philosophers with enough depth to understand the development of the science, but not enough to overwhelm or, worse yet, bore. Palmer's approach is to make Philosophy not an unreachable, unfathomable science better left to the professional academic, but an engaging and challenging field of study. If you have any interest in Philosophy, this is the book to start with.
Rating:
Summary: A worthy introduction to philosophy: fun, yet serious
Review: Neutrality does not exist, everyone has his own ideas. The author of this book belongs to the faith of Postmodern Skepticism. Except for the emphasis on postmodern or feminist thinkers, Palmer remains balanced. The exposition of philosophical ideas is not oversimplified. This is not the case of the lovely book "Sophie's World", by the Lutheran Christian J. Gaarder, where the oversimplification sometimes turns into incorrectness. Gaarder's book is yet an excellent choice for those who would prefer to discover the history of philosophy by reading a charming novel written in the style of "Alice in the wonderland".
Palmer's treatment is good. I wish he had not remained silent about Jewish thinkers such as some writers of the Old Testament , Philo, Jesus Christ and his apostles, given the considerrable impact of Jewish thought on the West. The book is illustrated by many drawings that are really fun. This is the best introduction to the history of philosophy that I know among those books that are not too boring or too heavy).
As for a systematical introduction to the ideas of philosophy, I can only recommend "Introduction to philosophy", by Norman L Geisler. The author honestly and clearly presents himself as a Christian and also concludes each chapter with a Christian view, yet most systematically brings all points of views on all issues in all chapters, and gives all the arguments and counter-arguments, and also many references.Whereas Palmer's other book "Does the center hold?", is defineltely postmodern/skeptical, yet in a hidden way, which may be misleading for a beginner in the field.
For those who want to read deeper thoughts written by current Professors of philosophy, I can recommend the books of James P Moreland, William Craig and Norman Geisler. (especially Geisler's book on logic: "Come, let us reason"). (these guys are Christians, but brilliant).
I think Palmer's "Looking at philosophy" can bring a lot of enlightenment and fun to the readers and also incite them to embark for some adventure in the philosophical lands. Let us hope they will be willing to read more and explore all these mind-bogling landscapes..
Rating:
Summary: History of philosophy for nonmajors
Review: The history of philosophy is fascinating for the ideas alone, but it is also a continuing debate among various thinkers in many different fields of study (physics, psychology, economics, anthropology...). Donald Palmer tells the story of some major thinkers of the West in simple language and illustrations, and yet manages to avoid treating the reader as a child (though a child could read this book and learn much). He provides a quick overview of Western thought from the early Greeks to twentieth century Poststructuralists for readers who are interested in philosophy but have never encountered it. This is a better introduction than Palmer's "Does the Center Hold?" which is organized by topics of philosophy rather than chronologically. However, if you are seriously interested in philosophy, you will want to read more, and he provides a good bibliography with suggestions for primary and secondary sources at the end.
Rating:
Summary: Great book that gets you thinking and keeps you laughing
Review: This book got me to look at philosophy more... It's a great book if you just need a reference, without a lot of analysis by critics, or the actual philosophers themselves, which can get mind-numbing at times. It's great to get, if just for the cartoons (you end up having to read the text to make sense out of most of the cartoons). But no, I don't know if I can explain the naked-male-prostitute-riding-on-a-bicyle cartoon, which is actually in here (and not a figment of my imagination). But don't let that keep you from buying...
Rating:
Summary: Great book that gets you thinking and keeps you laughing
Review: This book got me to look at philosophy more... It's a great book if you just need a reference, without a lot of analysis by critics, or the actual philosophers themselves, which can get mind-numbing at times. It's great to get, if just for the cartoons (you end up having to read the text to make sense out of most of the cartoons). But no, I don't know if I can explain the naked-male-prostitute-riding-on-a-bicyle cartoon, which is actually in here (and not a figment of my imagination). But don't let that keep you from buying...
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