LIVING BIOGRAPHIES OF GREAT PHILOSOPHERS

This work, which was published just before the U.S. entry into WWII, would be better entitled "Living Biographies of Great WESTERN Philosophers." That aside, this is still a marvelous introduction for the layperson to major philosophers and their ideas. The biographies are in chronological order and range from Socrates to Santayana (who was an instructor of one of the authors). Each biography is well written, and reveals a wry sense of humor and a sense of the ironic. After listening to these, especially that of Schopenhauer, one may be tempted to think that the true mark of a great man is being a great jerk. Edward Lewis's tenor voice has a slight nasal quality but is quite adequate. His somewhat staccato delivery uses subtle inflection and varied pacing to make this journey into the history of ideas exciting. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 02]