benrogerswpg's review against another edition
4.0
Solid book.
Great conversational tone and topical, high level view of lots of philosophers.
I would recommend reading the original source materials (the leading books from each of them). I've read most of them and I like to delve into the full teachings.
Would recommend to people who like trains too (I don't care about them, but I know there's a big Reddit community of train people), as the whole book situated around train rides.
3.9/5
Great conversational tone and topical, high level view of lots of philosophers.
I would recommend reading the original source materials (the leading books from each of them). I've read most of them and I like to delve into the full teachings.
Would recommend to people who like trains too (I don't care about them, but I know there's a big Reddit community of train people), as the whole book situated around train rides.
3.9/5
kumipaul's review against another edition
4.0
This is somewhere between a How-To manual for understanding and incorporating various philosophers' thinking and a memoir of the author's "visits" to these philosophers. This is not a deep or academic look at Schopenhauer or Socrates or Simone de Beauvoir, but a layman's practical guide as to how 14 different philosophers influenced our thinking and how you too can appreciate their efforts. It was entertaining and educational for this reader who needed just that much philosophy and no more.
rary's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
sjbanner's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
rick2's review against another edition
2.0
Mostly charming attempt at making philosophy approachable to modern readers. Felt a bit overdone
daniellelouise99's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
idenkimifah's review against another edition
4.0
Eric Weiner manages to find a balance between making a fun philosophical book without all the dull moments in-between and actually teaching us a thing or two we can learn from these philosophers by using his life's journey as a kindof guide for us. I thought this would drag but every page is as engaging as the last.
afowle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
melonyfresh's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
wormcharmer's review against another edition
There are few actual quotes from the philosophers in question and more like the author's specific understanding of their importance to philosophy as a whole.