An Incomplete Education, Revised Edition

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Summary: Really annoying presenters!
Review: The two people who present this book on the audiotape version are really annoying. I did listen to the whole tape, but fought the urge to turn it off the entire time because I couldn't stand listening to the voices. The information presented was marginal. The discussions of music and opera would have been a lot more effective if snippets of the actual music we're included. Doesn't seem like it would be that hard since this is an audiotape. I used this tape to study for the MSAT (a standardized test for elementary school teachers in Calif.) and didn't find it very helpful.

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Summary: This book gets an A+!
Review: This book had all the information I needed to fill in the gaps of my education.

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Summary: Completely Fantastic
Review: This book is good. REALLY good. There is a quick synopsis of almost everything that you ever need to know, and it goes to a depth of more than "just hearing of it:" it tells you information. I don't know what the naysayers see wrong with it. The authors have attempted, quite successfully, I might add, to distill all of Western Thought (and a good portion of Eastern Thought, as well) into one volume. The tone of the writing is somewhat flippant and childish at places, but the positives of the book outweigh the negatives. How does "viz." differ from "scil.," "i.e.," or "e.g."? What's the difference between the Odyssey and the Iliad? Stalin and Lenin? Gentry and nobility? An opera and a symphony? It's all in here. If you only have one reference book in your collection, make it this one.

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Summary: A waste of money! A bigger waste of time!!
Review: This book is true to it's title. You'll come away with "An Incomplete Education" if you take the time to read it. The writing is far too breezy to impart any significant information. After reading the flyleaf and the blurbs of the back cover, I thought it was just what I was looking for. What a major disappointment! I'm returning my copy for a refund!

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Summary: A Great Read -- Never Mind Your Motives
Review: This book offers a great overview of subjects that you may (or may not) have covered in school and you may (or may not) have forgotten. Whether you're reading it to become a more well-rounded person, or trying to impress your friends, the book gives candid, useful, and memorable insight into the things you should have learned. A GREAT READ!

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Summary: Great book but don't take it too seriously!
Review: This book was given to me as a gift upon completion of my MBA to "round out" my education. I read it cover to cover and enjoyed it very much (I am ordering a new copy because a friend "borrowed" it). I had great fun with the witty commentary. In fact, at times, I thought that absurd analogies actually helped explain esoteric and abstract concepts in a more simple and understandable manner (maybe my philosophy prof should consider these methods). I understand the criticism of many people who claim that the book is a shallow and "incomplete" coverage of the topics - it absolutely is. Reading the section on opera by no means makes one an expert or replaces the experience, nor does it intend to. Instead, I think it either gives a novice a fun introduction or presents the expert with a funny perspective on what they already know. So, having been to both Wagner and Mozart operas, I enjoyed reading how they could contrast the two in layman's terms (a great chapter, I might add). Simply put: If you are capable of not taking it too seriously, you'll love this book. If not, don't take yourself too seriously, and then buy it!

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Summary: A painless way to learn
Review: This book was given to me by a friend who hoped to beef up my recollection of all things philosophical. I ended up cancelling evening engagements all week so that I could pour through it. Irreverent and insightful and intelligent, I could barely bring myself to put it down, and caught myself quoting from it on a regular basis. I am going to send copies to all my non Liberal arts siblings and I look forward to more lively Holiday dinner table discussions!

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Summary: A brilliant book
Review: This books is one of the best I've ever owned. My sister received the original edition back in the late 80's, and when she left for college I had to have my own copy. Of course, it's needs another update for some of the political science stuff, but the rest is still brilliant. And sure, it does tend to pat itself on the back a lot and over-simplify certain subjects (particularly in economics), but hey, if it interests you, go read more about it. It's supposed to inspire greater learning, not replace it.

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Summary: A Must-Have for Every Family Library!
Review: This is a fabulous book. I'm 24 years old and (as will be no great surprise) I find that I've forgotten much of the information that I studied so fervently back in high school. This book brings all that information back, but presents it in a way that is provocative and truly entertaining. As an owner of this great book, I can't help bt wish that there were a sequel with even more history, science and literature! It's really a great book. You shouldn't even hesitate in buying this one.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for both answers and suggestions.
Review: This is a fantastic read if you didn't get the breadth you were looking for in your schooling. Covering pretty much all the stuff they don't have in engineering school, "An Incomplete Education" gives enough detail so that you can make an insightful comment at a party, but not so much detail that it reads like a thesis.

Highly recommended.