Penguin Great Ideas -- gorgeous editions of classic philosophy

Posted by Cory Doctorow, July 7, 2008 7:32 AM | permalink

David Pearson Design highlights the beautiful, three-set "Great Ideas" collection from Penguin, which reprints dozens of classic works of philosophy and politics in some of the most gorgeous packages I've ever seen. Link to volume one, Link to volume two, Link to volume three, Penguin Great Ideas on Amazon (via Making Light)

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Discussion

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#1 posted by Tostig , July 7, 2008 8:33 AM

As a poor A level philosophy student I picked up a smattering of these, and they were well worth the small price. The embossing on the covers looks even better in person!
I see that there's a third volume out now. I'll definitely be buying more when my student loan comes though ;)

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#2 posted by wemadethis , July 7, 2008 8:34 AM

Hey there Cory, thanks for featuring the books - Volume III should be available round the beginning of August - you can read more about them in this post on our blog and this article from Eye Magazine.

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#3 posted by Tecumseh , July 7, 2008 8:40 AM

These are absolutely gorgeous... is there any way to buy the entire volumes instead of individually?

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#4 posted by Michael Leddy

, July 7, 2008 9:50 AM

The new volumes are listed at amazon.co.uk (publication date August 7, 2008) but not amazon.com. Anyone know when they'll appear in the U.S.?

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#5 posted by Beanolini , July 7, 2008 9:54 AM

#3, Tecumseh- box sets of the first two volumes were produced. They go on ebay (other auction sites are also available) in the UK for about £20-25, not sure if they're still available new.

My other half only found this out after she had already bought most of them individually...

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#6 posted by holtt , July 7, 2008 10:07 AM

Good thing they didn't have <BLINK> back then.

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#7 posted by ATLAS , July 7, 2008 11:37 AM

I love these books... they make a great book to keep in your back pocket if you have random down time...

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#8 posted by dillybravo , July 8, 2008 8:16 AM

They are very pretty and well-priced, I've been tempted to purchase these volumes from time to time. However, almost all of them are abridged, and they aren't in the habit of telling the reader that very directly. Especially if they title the book after a chapter of a longer work. I find this quite a bit shady.

I also love the disclaimers, like this one from Kierkegaard's _Fear and Trembling_: "Parents might wish to discuss with their children how views on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and interpersonal relations have changed before allowing them to read this classic work." Don't get too many ideas, kids, or let those philosophers disturb your well-received wisdom! Hah.

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#9 posted by Neill S Mitchell Esq. , July 9, 2008 4:03 AM

I don't like plugs, but I have Vol I and Vol II and got them from eTSP (or Booksdirect) you need to join, but as far as book clubs go it's a good one, with no minimum purchase and no bloody Editor Choice.

VI, VII and VII are going for £62.91 vs RRP £280.

This links might work...

http://www.booksdirect.co.uk/products/VIP/PID-000000000000158275(BooksDirect).aspx

http://www.booksdirect.co.uk/products/VIP/PID-000000000000156082(BooksDirect).aspx

&tc

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#10 posted by Neill S Mitchell Esq. , July 9, 2008 4:09 AM

Corrections to my crappy post @#9

Series I,II and III are available from booksdirect.

Not VI , VII and VII - which could mean all sorts.- what a muppet.