101 Great Philosophers is a concise and accessible guide to 101 of the greatest minds that contributed to the legacy of western philosophy. From the ancient Greeks to present-day thinkers, Madsen Pirie employs concise entries, each on a single page, to give a snapshot of the contribution made by 100 key philosophers to the development of this fascinating subject. This book provides a sparkling insight into the lives and times of each philosopher covered - explaining just why what they had to say was so innovative and inspiring. Essential reading for anyone coming to the subject for the first time, this book is an indispensible introduction to the most important ideas in the history of western thought. "A lecturer and TV commentator on economics and political philosophy based in Cambridge, England, Pirie offers a new take on philosophy 101 by summarizing in little over a page the ideas of thinkers he considers to have had most impact and significance on human thought. Some of those included who are not usually thought of as philosophers are Archimedes, Galileo, Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, Mary Shelly, and Charles Darwin. The arrangement is chronological, but the philosophers are indexed as well." -Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc.