Paul Strathern

In Derrida in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern offers a concise, expert account of Derrida's life and ideas, and explains their influence on man's struggle to understand his existence in the world. The book also includes selections from Derrida's writings; a brief list of suggested reading for those who wish to push further; and chronologies that place Derrida within his own age and in the broader scheme of philosophy.

In Foucault in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern offers a concise, expert account of Foucault's life and ideas, and explains their influence on man's struggle to understand his existence in the world. The book also includes selections from Foucault's writings; a brief list of suggested reading for those who wish to push further; and chronologies that place Foucault within his own age and in the broader scheme of philosophy.

OEach of these little books is witty and dramatic and creates a sense of time, place, and character...I cannot think of a better way to introduce oneself and oneOs friends to Western civilization.O_Katherine A. Powers, Boston Globe. OWell-written, clear and informed, they have a breezy wit about them...I find them hard to stop reading.O_Richard Bernstein, New York Times. OWitty, illuminating, and blessedly concise.O_Jim Holt, Wall Street Journal. These brief and enlightening explorations of our greatest thinkers bring their ideas to life in entertaining and accessible fashion. Philosophical thought is deciphered and made comprehensive and interesting to almost everyone. Far from being a novelty, each book is a highly refined appraisal of the philosopher and his work, authoritative and clearly presented.

A brief and enlightening exploration of one of our greatest thinkers.

A brief and enlightening exploration of one of our greatest thinkers.

In Spinoza in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern offers a concise, expert account of Spinoza's life and ideas, and explains their influence on man's struggle to understand his existence in the world. The book also includes selections from Spinoza's writings; a brief list of suggested reading for those who wish to push further; and chronologies that place Spinoza within his own age and in the broader scheme of philosophy.

OEach of these little books is witty and dramatic and creates a sense of time, place, and character...I cannot think of a better way to introduce oneself and oneOs friends to Western civilization.O_Katherine A. Powers, Boston Globe. OWell-written, clear and informed, they have a breezy wit about them...I find them hard to stop reading.O_Richard Bernstein, New York Times. OWitty, illuminating, and blessedly concise.O_Jim Holt, Wall Street Journal. These brief and enlightening explorations of our greatest thinkers bring their ideas to life in entertaining and accessible fashion. Philosophical thought is deciphered and made comprehensive and interesting to almost everyone. Far from being a novelty, each book is a highly refined appraisal of the philosopher and his work, authoritative and clearly presented.

In Machiavelli in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern offers a concise, expert account of Machiavelli's life and ideas, and explains their influence on man's struggle to understand his existence in the world. The book also includes selections from Machiavelli's writings; a brief list of suggested reading for those who wish to push further; and chronologies that place Machiavelli within his own age and in the broader scheme of philosophy.

Augustine's struggles with sex and a domineering mother, followed by his spiritual crisis and conversion to Christianity - detailed in his Confessions - ultimately led him to his major contribution to philosophy: the fusion of the two doctrines of Christianity and Neoplatonism. This not only provided Christianity with a strong intellectual backing but tied it to the Greek tradition of philosophy. In this way Christianity managed to keep the flame of philosophy burning, however dimly, through the Dark Ages. Augustine also produced important philosophic ideas of his own, including theories of time and subjective knowledge that anticipated by many centuries the work of Kant and Descartes. In St. Augustine in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern offers a concise, expert account of St. Augustine's life and ideas, and explains their influence on man's struggle to understand his existence in the world. The book also includes selections from St. Augustine's work; a brief list of suggested reading for those who wish to push further; and chronologies that place St. Augustine within his own age and in the broader scheme of philosophy.

Offers a brief profile of the classical Greek philosopher, describes the highlights of his teachings, and assesses the influence of his ideas

In Plato in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern offers a concise, expert account of Plato's life and ideas, and explains their influence on man's struggle to understand his existence in the world. The book also includes selections from Plato's work; a brief list of suggested reading for those who wish to push further; and chronologies that place Plato within his own age and in the broader scheme of philosophy.

In Nietzsche in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern offers a concise, expert account of Nietzsche's life and ideas, and explains their influence on man's struggle to understand his existence in the world. The book also includes selections from Nietzsche's work; a brief list of suggested reading for those who wish to push further; and chronologies that place Nietzsche within his own age and in the broader scheme of philosophy.

Offers a brief profile of the German philosopher, discusses his major works, and assesses his influence on modern philosophy