[haZard_OS]

I read Magee's book Confessions of a Philosopher some years ago and it was agonizing. Magee's personal bitterness was so pungent and so awkwardly colored his thoughts on philosophical topics that I found myself struggling to finish the book.

Of all the books on philosophy I have read, that book by Magee was easily the most off-putting.

[iorrus]

I thought it was a fantastic introduction to Western Philosophy.

One of the top 5 books I recommend to people who have an interest in philosophy but no academic background in the area.

[copperx]

What are the other 4?

[iorrus]

This is an extremely personal question. I have extreme biases, I personally favour:

Bryan Magee's book on Schopenhauer.

German Idealism/The Fate of reason by Fredrick Beiser.

Hegel and the Hermetic Tradition by Glenn Magee

Kant's Transcendental Idealism: An Interpretation and Defense by Allison

Plato: Complete Works by John Cooper is good

The Paidea series by Jaeger is amazing as is the four volume collection by Giovanni Reale if you're interested in ancient philosophies (like me)

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The 'phenomenological' school is considered important.

Making Sense of Heidegger by Sheehan

Merleau-Ponty's Philosophy by Hass

However I think most true Western thought is to be found in the great works of literature. Ovid/Dante etc. try reading Howard Blooms work "The Western Canon".

Personally I find most western philosophy quite turgid.

[adjkant]

At the Existentialist Cafe by Bakewell I think is the best catch-all for phenomenology in many ways despite being part historical rather than full philosophy. Would highly recommend even if one is familiar with the usual suspects featured in it.

[woodandsteel]

Agreed, it's a wonderful book.

[woodandsteel]

The Dream of Reason by Anthony Gottlieb is a good introduction to Greek philosophy. You really should start there, since everything since then is a response to what they had to say.