Outlines of Philosophy by Will Durant

Outlines of Philosophy by Will Durant — Monitor

Is The Story of Philosophy the same book?

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Of the best introductions:

Short: Will Durant.
Middle length: Anthony Kenny.
Long: F.C. Copleston.

I've seen some bad textbooks. As others have mentioned, Durant's book is good. From Socrates to Sartre is also good.

Firstly read 'Empty Ideas' by Peter Unger. If you still want to do a philosophy course, then I suggest Bertrand Russell 'A History of Western Philosophy'. Post 1945 you'll struggle to find a good introduction, but I suggest using the Internet rather than choosing one book. If you have a bit of common sense that can help you sift out the crap, you'll find an awful lot of good summaries like the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy which had some excellent articles and many linked references you can follow.

Also, what are you reading now as far as Philosophy is concerned? And where is a good place to start reading random philosophers? — MountainDwarf

My approach is to inquire into questions and not philosophers. This type of inquiry creates a very zig-zag path through many diverse aspects of life, such as physics, arts, history, psychology, less known philosophers as well as often neglected Eastern philosophies etc. but at the end, you will have walked the walk and know from experience.

7 months later...

Thank you. Random was not the word I should have chosen there. I have actually read a very simple introduction to Philosophy book by Sharon Kaye. Ever heard of her?
Makes sense. I just hate having to reinvent the wheel.
I've got Stanford on my favorites list. Don't use them as nearly enough as I should.
Cool. Thanks.
Alright. Thanks.