I have been delighted to see the very favorable, and well-deserved, reviews for some of the first books in The Routledge Philosophers series I edit. Here is Martin Donougho (South Carolina) on Frederick Beiser's volume on Hegel:
Frederick Beiser's Hegel ushers in a new series, 'Routledge Philosophers.' The list of contributing authors is a distinguished one, yet nobody will dispute Beiser's claim to belong there. From his first book -- The Fate of Reason -- on the context of Kantian critique, Beiser established a reputation which was only strengthened by a string of publications on Idealist and Romantic "constellations" of thought. The new book follows the series format: brief historical background, key arguments, philosophical legacy, as well as suggestions for further reading and a bibliography (all in an attractive typeface, I'll add). Beiser says that he wants to provide not so much exegesis as a comprehensive overview aimed primarily at the first-time reader. The result is in my judgment little short of a triumph. In 350 pages Beiser manages to suggest much of the sweep and challenge of Hegel's thought, in direct and straightforward prose, yet without shirking the procedural difficulties of Hegel's arguments and positions. Engaged and independent in his assessments, he adopts a manner that is the opposite of a bland encyclopedia entry.
Here is Samuel Levey (Dartmouth) on Nicholas Jolley's volume on Leibniz:
Nicholas Jolley's Leibniz is an excellent volume in the new Routledge Philosophers series. High marks are in order for its clarity, accessibility and acumen, as well as for the pace and style of its prose. One could be forgiven for doubting whether a truly introductory text could be produced on Leibniz's philosophy that covers the terrain of his thought without sacrificing the vibrancy and sharpness so distinctive of his arguments. Jolley's book puts that doubt to rest. For a novice to Leibniz it is a finely crafted introduction, and for more sophisticated readers there will be much to reflect upon as well.
Already published in the series are Nicholas Dent on Rousseau, Jonathan Lear on Freud, E.J. Lowe on Locke, A.P. Martinich on Hobbes, and Julian Young on Schopenhauer. Coming this year or next are Taylor Carman on Merleau-Ponty, Michael Della Rocca on Spinoza, Samuel Freeman on Rawls, Don Garrett on Hume, Paul Guyer on Kant, Tim Lewens on Darwin, and David Woodruff Smith on Husserl.
Recent Comments