A Dictionary of Philosophical Quotations (Blackwell Reference)

Rating:
Summary: The only source for truly useful quotations.
Review: In the course of competitive debate, there arises a need for quotations to support one's point of view. Reading the actual books and excerpting them takes far more time than is available, so summaries become necessary. This leaves one two options: quote dictionaries or 'beginner's guides.' the latter include few actual quotations, just the voice of some omniscient narrator stating his opinion. quote dictionaries have a diffeent failing: they are full of 'literary merit' and 'popular idiom', but they contain relatively few quotations of actual substance. this book is the answer. it is so well edited that i could follow the philosophers entire train of thought in his own words without parentheticals. it even includes an excellent index and is very modestly priced for a book of this magnitude. if you've ever had the desire to understand all the philosophers, great and obscure, in their own words, then reference them handily, this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: an excellent tool for locating & dissecting great minds
Review: Since the dawn of time there have been many great thinkers who have discussed may great topics. It would take me many more years than I have to find my through all of their readings. Therefore, I have been searching for a tool that can help me to navigate philosophical thought. This text does it well, Alfred Jules Ayer and Jane O'grady, who have already traveled down the same road that I am just starting on, have put together a incomparable piece of literature that can serve as a "roadmap" if you will, of philosophical thought. With this, I can read summaries of many thinkers readings and use the maticulous reference section to obtain the works of the thinkers who have most intrigued me. It also is listed alphabetically by authors name rather than topic which seems to be the standard for most other philosophical reference guides. This will provide the more experienced philosophers an excellent reference guide with a different means of query.