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| History of Political Philosophy | 
| Creators: Leo Strauss, Joseph Cropsey
Publisher: University Of Chicago Press
Category: Book
List Price: $30.00
Buy New: $26.47
You Save: $3.53 (12%)
New (19) from $26.47
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 55291
Media: Paperback
Edition: 3
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 980
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.7
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.8 x 2.1
ISBN: 0226777103
Dewey Decimal Number: 320.01
EAN: 9780226777108
ASIN: 0226777103
Publication Date: November 30, 1987
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW
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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: Read 6 more reviews...
 The best philosophy overview May 1, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
Excellent, for what it is... January 13, 2005
13 out of 17 found this review helpful
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.
The Best Single Text On History Of Political Philosophy April 27, 2004
57 out of 61 found this review helpful
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.
 One of the Best Sourcebooks November 11, 2003
4 out of 9 found this review helpful
This book provides an excellent introduction to the main political thinkers of the West. Most essays are quite good and the book has proved remarkably resilient to change. However, readers should keep in mind that the authors chosen to submit essays are of a particular school of thought, or at least very sympathetic to a certain school of thought. This book, the Straussians' "Purple Bible," is a kind of primer to the reading methods and especially writing styles of Strauss's students. In many ways it says as much about the Strauss School as it says about the thinkers themselves. This in no way demeans the work, but readers may be surprised to find how different the essays on Hegel or Heidegger are from those found in other source books. As this book is composed of Straussians writing about their pet philosopher, their particular prejudices, or if you prefer the school's preconceptions, permeate each and every essay. Thus as expected, the entries on Heidegger and Marx are not very good; the one's on Plato, Aristotle and Rousseau are excellent. Read judiciously this is a valuable work. Read as most second-tier Straussians read it, it's just the cliff notes giving the official party line on how to deal with certain thinkers without having to do the hard work oneself.
Essential Political Philosophy March 29, 2003
7 out of 16 found this review helpful
This is the source. Strauss and Cropsey certainly have compiled the authoritative reference for political philosophy. This is great for beginners and also seasoned scholars. There is a chapter on just about any philosopher you could imagine in here. Clearly-written essays provide for a greater understanding of each one.
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