The History of Philosophy

By: A. C. Grayling

Narrated by: Neil Gardner

“A witty, learned, authoritative survey of philosophical thought.” —The New York Times Book Review

The first authoritative and accessible single-volume history of philosophy to cover both Western and Eastern traditions, from one of the world’s most eminent thinkers

The story of philosophy is an epic tale, spanning civilizations and continents. It explores some of the most creative minds in history. But not since the long-popular classic by Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, published in 1945, has there been a comprehensive and entertaining single-volume history of this great, intellectual, world-shaping journey.

With characteristic clarity and elegance, A. C. Grayling takes the reader from the age of the Buddha, Confucius, and Socrates through Christianity’s capture of the European mind, from the Renaissance and Enlightenment on to Mill, Nietzsche, Sartre and, finally, philosophy today. Surveying in tandem the great philosophical traditions of India, China, and the Persian-Arabic world, and astonishing in its range and accessibility, Grayling’s The History of Philosophy is destined to be a landmark work.

Well-rounded book of knowledge

To describe the concept of philosophy in time, place and perspective provides an all-encompassing presentation.

It is a very good reference for the student, but provides plenty to the practitioner.

It proves that philosophy is a human process, granted in different intensity or maturity or orientation, but it is the way to answer those “great questions”.

Good overall

Good overview of the history of philosophy, I specially enjoyed the focus, rejecting Theology as a Philosophical inquiry.
I would have enjoyed it more if the bias towards Analytic philosophy wouldn't be so evident, as only a cursory overview of certain Continental thinkers was evident.

Great Follow-Up to Russell

Like other readers, I compare this to Russell's iconic work of about 80 or so years earlier. Grayling adds the 20th century and the newer scholarship on Russell's near-contemporaries, of whom Russell had especially biased (if entertaining) views, particularly Nietzsche. I wouldn't do without either.

For some reason, chapter divisions are hours apart, split only by broad era unlike in Russell, where they are split by thinker. Almost the entire 20th century is split into only two Audible chapters, which makes it very difficult to find someone in particular.

Still, it's an excellent book and valuable especially where it contradicts or differs from Russell. Philosophy should have no received wisdom, and the more variation in good books we have, the better.

A Phenomenal Overview

Grayling gives a colorful account of the lives and times of the Philosophers suitable for beginning students and those experienced with the territory.

Exactly as promised

An overview of philosophy from pre-Socratics to post-Structuralists. I was looking for a philosopher-by-philosopher survey, and that’s what I got. And the narrator is great. The scope makes it impossible to give much time to each, and at the nth dance on the head of a pin over whether “red” exists as a thing itself, separate from the thing that is red, I had a hard time caring. I learned I was a philistine. Also a Stoic.