Rating: 
Summary: Good substance tainted
Review: While this work remains a fine compilation of the history, life, and writings of many fine philosophers, I could not help but be turned off by the unabashed arrogance of the author. Many times he seemed to almost pity the world's greatest thinkers, often insulting their character and suggesting that one must be a failed sociologist in order to be a philosopher.I would recommend reading it, for if you like philosophy you will appreciate this book as much as I do. Even the harping 'wit' of the author fails to sully this intriguing story worthy of at least a quick peek.
Rating: 
Summary: A decent introduction to the history of philosophy
Review: Will Durant has the ability to make a dry subject (though this isn't really dry) into a compelling story. For those who are often confused about the various winds of philosophical fancy that have gripped secular society over the centuries, this is a great introduction. From the Pre-Platonics to Neitzche, Mr. Durant presents a simple and effective survey of thought. He is hobbled by his aversion to Biblical truth, but this is a much better introduction to philosophy then Sophie's World (which is significantly unimpressive).-Kelly Whiting
Rating: 
Summary: Philosophy made accessible to everyone.
Review: Will Durant is the most interesting and reader-friendly writer of history in the 20th Century. In this book, he turns his talents to an explanation of major developments in philosophy, and succeeds remarkably. Anyone who has ever attempted to read Aristotle, and found him dry and meandering, will find new insights and respect for his thought thanks to Durant's affectionate analysis. Even those who do not fancy themselves philosophers will find new ability to access the basic principles of philosophy in Durant's clear and precise explanations. I especially gained new respect and admiration for Baruch Spinoza because of Durant, but every philosopher in this book takes on new life when the author uses his pleasant story-telling style to give these historical figures complete dimension for the new student. Durant's book will encourage every reader to delve deeper into the world of philosophical thought, and, in the end, make the world a more philosophical place to live (I'd say a good thing).
Rating:
Summary: Philosophy can be fun
Review: Will Durant is unique in the world of those who write about complex ideas and events in that I know of no one else who is so skillfull at making the difficult understandable and memorable. His writing style is simple without being simplistic. He writes with humor and authority and manages to sweep the reader up in the passion of his writing. In Story of Philosophy he uses the lives and thought of the West's leading philosophers to sketch a history of how western civilization shapes and is shapped by the formal philosophical theories that great minds have developed to explain how we know, how we should live, and what 'really is'. This is not a book that will give the reader a full picture of any one philosopher's works or ideas, though it is a good introduction to the main figures of western philosophy. But it does a great job of showing connections and influences and the threads that eventually are woven into new insights. Very pleasant and worthwhile reading. I would highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a book that makes one think.
Rating:
Summary: Will Durant, A Noteworthy Popularizer of Philosophy
Review: Will Durant makes philosophy and history a treat. The Story of Philosophy was my first book from this remarkably witty author. As a writer and reader I enjoy his keen insights and double-perceptive prose; as a future history teacher, I can't wait to use this book for my classes; and as a philsopher in the making, I plan to periodically refer to his thematic summaries. I am not even finished yet--still having fun reviewing the basics of each philosophers--yet I am already inlove with this book. Regardless of its paperback/referrence status, this book is my favorite yet. It's simplicity and convenience, plus Will Durant's novel-like voice and commentaries, makes the great philosophers not just ingenious but also entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive analysis of our greatest thinkers
Review: Will Durant provides the reader with a very enjoyable and readible review and analysis of the greatest Western Philosophers. It's my favorite book on philosophy, that gathers in one volume the wisdom of most of our greater philosophers as well as giving us a keen sense of who they were and the times in which they lived. I recommend it to all readers who thirst for knowledge about the essence and ultimate truths about life.
Rating:
Summary: I'm no book critic, However......
Review: Will Durant takes years of boring philsophical history and turns it into a refreshing review of insight from all of the world's greatest philosophers. This book is intruiging, views each philosopher in different lights, and opens your eyes to the world around you. Whenever I finish reading this book, I start all over again, each time more interesting than the last.
Rating:
Summary: Fun Introduction to Western Philosophy
Review: Will Durant was an extraordinary man. He earned the PhD degree in Philosophy from Columbia University. Still young, he mastered several important languages. Until "Story of Philosophy" brought him fame and fortune, he was a high school teacher and an activist at one of the Modern School Movement schools, established and operated by Syndicalists. Several of these unique schools were founded & operated. Recently, a full history was published about the Modern School Movement. Durant was a major figure at his East Coast school. He taught several languages including Latin and Greek. He married one of his students and named her "Auriel." She was a bright student who mastered several languages herself. Later she collaborated on Durants career project, the ten volume, "Story of Civilization".
"Story of Philosophy" was an instant hit in 1925 and it has never been out of print. It is an American classic. There is nothing like it. It is short, accurate, well written and witty. No one was more surprised than Durant, when his book was am instant best seller, and it moved on to be a hit around the world. An important American thinker, Mortimer J. Adler, sharply criticized the book. It certainly is open to criticism--Durant cogently citicised it himself--but Adler went too far. I suspect Adler intensely disliked the man, who was something of a hedonist and an agnostic who later published a self-indulgent autobiography. Adler , one of the finest minds of the 20th century, must have intensely disliked Joseph Campbell as well. (He went much to far criticising Campbell, although the part about how the graduate student Campbell told Adler and others that philosophy was over his head is something starry-eyed Campbell followers should anchor their feet to)
Durant was one of the leading prose stylists of his day. Reading anything Durant wrote is enjoyable, if only for the prose, wit, and wisdom. "Story of Philosophy" presents an author witty and wise beyond his years. Durant was precocious.
Readers who like "Story...", treasure Durant
s ten volume "Story of Civilization". The income "Story of Philosophy" brought Durant left him independently wealthy, not rich but freed from working the rest of his life. He resigned from teaching and began full-time research for "Story of Civilization"
I highly recommend "Story of Philosophy." Shortly after its publication, it caused a sharp increase in students wanting to study philosophy, something Will Durant was justifiably proud of for the rest of his life.
Rating:
Summary: Durant is a master storyteller.
Review: Will Durant was one of the great historians -- and great popularizers of history -- this century has seen. This book was first written in the twenties yet it is still as readable, relevant, informative and engaging as ever. Those who liked the Story of Civilization series will love this book. Those who are interested in philosophy will find this an invaluable introduction to the great philosophers.
Rating:
Summary: Story of Western Philosophy, May be?
Review: Wonderful book that covers the major western philosophical thoughts staring with the Greeks and all the way to 19th century American philosophers. However the author admits he has not covered oriental/ eastern philosophies (Hinduism, Taoism etc.) That is acceptable, except the author can not resist making insulting remarks about them such as how Hinduism is all about resignation or how Hindus may end up meditating their whole life about their navel. I would accept Hinduism and eastern philosophies come as a Stoic philosophy in many ways. However there is more to it than what this author would have one believe. Avoiding disparaging remarks about things you do not plan to discuss or do not care for is mark of maturity which I would have expected from someone of this caliber. Also notable omission is of existential movement and trends among the western philosophers including the philosophers discussed in length in this book such as Nietzsche (Of course, the author in his great wisdom may have thought existentialism is no different than nihilism and hence not worth being discussed). Overall a good book.
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