Virgin Philosophers: Sartre

Paul Stathern

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0753506696 ISBN 13: 9780753506691

Publisher: Virgin Books, 2002

Jean-Paul Sartre was the archetypal French intellectual, writing his philosophy in the Left Bank cafes of Paris and leading student protests on all manner of political issues. He put existentialism on the map of contemporary thought, and his political ideas influenced a generation of young revolutionaries. This series of guides cover the lives and ideas of the major philosophers. The author's concise and comprehensible style highlights the major advances in philosophy, as well as the men who conceived them and the times in which they lived. Containing quotes, insights and anecdotes, the aim of this series is to clarify the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader.

Review:

'These [books] have changed my life . . . They tell you exactly what you want to know and no more' -- AA Gill, Sunday Times

'Well-written, clear and informed, they have a breezy wit about them . . . I find them hard to stop reading' -- New York Times

'Witty, illuminating, and blessedly concise' -- Wall Street Journal

From the Publisher:

You want to know more about philosophy but haven't got the time to read the big tomes on the market? You want to find out the main thoughts and ideas of a particular philosopher, and the main facts of their life, without reading a whole biography?

So did I, and these concise and accessible guides are the ones for you. Paul Strathern writes in a witty and informative way that clarifies the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader. These books cover both the men and their ideas, short extracts from the works, a chronology of each philosopher's life, a chronology of important philosophical dates through history so that it's clear where each philosopher fits within the wider sphere, and a list of recommended further reading if you decide you want to research further.