A History of Greek Philosophy, Vol. 2 of 2 - Clear Scholarly

In this review of A History of Greek Philosophy, Vol. 2 of 2, the reviewer finds a rigorous, text-focused resource best suited to readers seeking a classical, source-driven study of early Greek thought. The book presents dense excerpted references and citations that make it most valuable to students, historians, and scholars who appreciate original-source annotation; the single biggest reason to buy is its concentrated presentation of primary references and scholia that illuminate the period up to the time of Socrates.

Key Features

• Primary-source focus: The volume reproduces and cites many classical fragments and scholia, which helps readers track original references across authors and manuscripts.
• Scholarly apparatus: Detailed references to Aristotle, Plutarch, Lucian and others provide context that benefits academic study and citation.
• Chronological scope: Coverage up to the time of Socrates allows readers to follow philosophical developments through a defined historical endpoint.
• Compact reprint format: As a classic reprint, the book gathers material in a single, portable volume suited to library shelves and course reading lists.
• Useful for cross-referencing: Repeated citations (for example to Metaphysics and scholia) make it easier to compare parallel passages and commentary.

Who It's For

The book is aimed at undergraduate and graduate students of ancient philosophy, classicists, and researchers who need direct access to excerpted passages and the accompanying scholarly references. Teachers preparing seminars on pre-Socratic and Socratic periods will find the dense citations useful for classroom source work.

Readers looking for a modern, interpretive introduction or a light, narrative history should look elsewhere; this reprint emphasizes original citations and scholia over extended contemporary commentary or pedagogical exposition.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Concentrated presentation of primary fragments and scholia supports academic research and citation.
• Careful referencing to classical works such as Aristotle and Plutarch aids cross-textual study.
• Compact reprint format makes it convenient to keep alongside other volumes in a course or library.

Cons

• The text is dense and assumes prior familiarity with classical references, so it is not an introductory narrative for casual readers.

Specifications

Title	A History of Greek Philosophy, Vol. 2 of 2
Subtitle	From the Earliest Period to the Time of Socrates; With a General Introduction
Author / Brand	Eduard Zeller
Format	Classic reprint with excerpted references and scholia
Scope	Earliest period through the time of Socrates
Content type	Excerpts, references, scholia and commentary citations

Our Verdict

This volume is a worthwhile purchase for students and scholars who need a source-rich companion to the study of early Greek thought; its value lies in curated excerpts and thorough cross-references rather than in modern explanatory prose, making it a good investment for academic use and library collections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this volume include primary-source citations?
Yes. The book reproduces many excerpts and scholia with citations to classical authors such as Aristotle, Plutarch, and Lucian.

Is this suitable for beginners?
Not primarily; it assumes some familiarity with classical texts and is best for students or researchers rather than casual readers.

What period does the book cover?
The volume covers the earliest periods of Greek philosophy through the time of Socrates, with a general introduction and focused excerpts.