History of Political Philosophy | 
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Product Description
This volume provides an unequaled introduction to the thought of chief contributors to the Western tradition of political philosophy from classical Greek antiquity to the twentieth century. Written by specialists on the various philosophers, this third edition has been expanded significantly to include both new and revised essays.
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Customer Reviews:
• The Best Single Text On History Of Political Philosophy 27 April, 2004
Leo Strauss' and Joseph Cropsey's "History of Political Philosophy" is a great way to start learning about "Western political philosophy." The essays, which describe the Greek classical philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, are especially lucid and well written. Not surprising since Strauss spent his life teaching the virtues of "classical philosophy." Strauss points out that classical political philosophy predominated until the 16th century. Modern philosophy was an out growth of the revolution that takes place in the natural sciences during the Enlightenment. The purpose of science is the conquest of nature man is in control of human life. Philosophers from Machiavelli on become sectarian. "Everything good is due to man's labor rather than to nature's gift." Men who rely on education and modern philosophical principles alone to build a better society wind up following the path of Marx, i.e. Communism, and Nietzsche and Heidegger, i.e. Fascism. Strauss, in the aftermath of WWII, spends his life touting the virtues of classical philosophy as a way to turn back some of the harm done by modern philosophers. I especially found the A & B reading lists at the end of each chapter quite useful. The A readings give one an idea of what's required for basic understanding of the political thinker's thought, while the B readings are for in depth study.
As a retired Army officer and graduate student of political philosophy, I found this to be a great textbook to start one's journey into political philosophy.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2MG9POS63L0ZE
• Excellent, For What It Is... 13 January, 2005
So apparently there is a great deal of controversy surrounding this book, at least according to those who have deigned to write a review about it. I myself had no idea until I read some of them, but only after I have read the book its self. I find it amusing the charges that a certain political bias is presented in this collection of essays, but only because it seems that particular bias comes at the expense of another. Most curious. At any rate, if you, like me, would like to have a resource that covers most of the great political thinkers of Western civilization, who's names you will discover when you read any of the other reviews, then this might well be the tome you are seeking. If the essays are presented in conservative terms here, then it should balance nicely the liberal terms in which they were originally presented in your classroom (I am after all making the presumption...). I have found this book to be highly useful in my continuing study of political philosophy, and reach for it more often than say, my copy of Das Kapital, or The Wealth of Nations. This could well be a function of my laziness, but I like to think it is because of the utility of History of Political Philosophy, and not just the defense of the ramparts of a particular ideology that is not embraced by all. You have a mind, so use it. If you need a quick and rich resource into western political thought, this book may well be of use to you. If, on the other hand, you are afraid that the supposedly conservative tones of this collection of essays might threaten your outlook, then by all means avoid it, and write disparaging reviews for it.
- Reviewed by customer ID: AJX0Q5B0QEP57
• This Book Is Great But Only If... 27 March, 2009
This book is great but only if you have a knowledge of the books and thoughts of philosophers inside well beforehand. That is because the book examines the thoughts -say- hermeneutically. Every now and then you will see references to philosophers' books and most of the time -if it is someone whom you just want to have a general information- it makes you get angry.
As a result, do not buy this book just to treat it like a dictionary. It has more than that and all in all it is an academic book. Great source for university studies and essays but surely not for dummies.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A19D684F25IOQL
• The Best Philosophy Overview 01 May, 2007
This is the best philosophy (not just political) overview I have found. The essays for each philosopher are several pages long and cover all aspects of the philosopher's thought. I have owned this book for years, and I still find myself going back to it over any other philosophy book.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A28B0EXZCHBIDW
• Still Working 28 May, 2009
This is a great book, it is a wealth of the history of Western Culture. I have marked it up and still working through this beefy book. In my political Science classes we will read a text and I will go home and read their section in this book; it has been a great place to get the feel of a thinker before reading the source material.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A323NVQCD95H41
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