Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy (FSG Classics) | Jostein Gaarder

Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy (FSG Classics) | Jostein Gaarder | A delightful intriguing intro to history of philosophy

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Sophie's World: A ...

	Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy (FSG Classics) Jostein Gaarder Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007 - 544 pages average customer review:based on 573 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A page-turning novel that is also an exploration of the great philosophical concepts of Western thought, Sophie?s World has fired the imagination of readers all over the world, with more than twenty million copies in print.

One day fourteen-year-old Sophie Amundsen comes home from school to find in her mailbox two notes, with one question on each: ?Who are you?? and ?Where does the world come from?? From that irresistible beginning, Sophie becomes obsessed with questions that take her far beyond what she knows of her Norwegian village. Through those letters, she enrolls in a kind of correspondence course, covering Socrates to Sartre, with a mysterious philosopher, while receiving letters addressed to another girl. Who is Hilde? And why does her mail keep turning up? To unravel this riddle, Sophie must use the philosophy she is learning?but the truth turns out to be far more complicated than she could have imagined.

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Fun, Fascinating, possibly even Educational (but who cares)

I forget where I found this book - not, I think, on Amazon. I took it on vacation, thinking a novel about philosophy should at least help me sleep at night. Not only did I race through it eagerly, but my better half, who has not been seen reading a book for pleasure in the 8 years we've been together, also picked it up and couldn't put it down. We've just ordered six more copies to give to friends. This time from Amazon - a much better deal.

A delightful intriguing intro to history of philosophy

This is my first philosophy book. I'm no 14- or 15-year-old, but I was so delighted and intrigued by the way an abstract subject is explained with such concrete examples, occasional good humor as well as the story within story technique used to illustrate some of the contemporary philosophical ideas towards the second half of the book. As a result, I've gone on to purchase my second philosophy book. And looking forward to learning more through more books and discussion with others.

I would certainly recommend this to anyone (young or old, male or female) who's new to philosophy and wants to learn it in a relatively painless way. By the way, the story (or history) is long, over 500 pages. And the book makes no pretense (in any way) to be literature. The subtitle says it all: A Novel About the History of Philosophy.

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Worth it.

Take the plunge. This really is a great introduction to philosophy--If that is what you want to read this book for, then as of yet I have not found a better book. The plot can be gimmicky, but you won't care if you'll realize it is just a little flavor to move the book along while tackling certain philosophical questions outside of history and instead inside the actual novel. There are over 500 reviews written on this book. It currently has a four star review and the only real criticism I see is that people say that it is not 'real literature.' Well I just find that elitist humbug of people who are too proud to admit that this is a wonderful introduction to philosophy.

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entertaining, and educational

If you want an easy way to learn about philosophy this is the book to ready! It is also a bit of a mystery which makes it more fun.

This book is informative and entertaining. Great combination!

Mr. Gaarder, the author of Sophie's World, really had a great idea to put together this work. It shows style, wisdom, and sophistication, yet the story is pieced together in a very entertaining fashion.

I have already purchased other copies of this book to give to friends, co-workers, and family members. Even if you don't agree with everything proposed by each of the philosophers covered in the book, you still come away with an appreciation and understanding of why they made a mark in history. Even my seven year old son wanted to hear more after I read him a bit of the book. He was upset to learn that I had read ahead when we went to bed the following night.

Jim Conis

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