Let me first start out by responding to earlier recommendations that people have offered:

Philosophy: The Basics, by Nigel Warburton.

This should be okay. I doubt that it will be particularly engaging, but Warburton is a pretty solid philosopher (his specialty is political philosophy).

Complete Idiot's Guide to Philosophy, by Jay Stephenson

I've heard of a lot of philosophers, but I've never heard of Jay Stephenson. I haven't heard any philosopher ever mention this book, and I don't think Stephenson teaches anywhere. I doubt it's horrible, but I can't tell you anything about this book.

They really make an ideal pull .

Hee. I know this is what was intended with the one I rescued. I'm sure after I left they were forever trying to get the string down to pull it properly. But it was strangling! With its happy Little People face! I couldn't just leave it there.

We didn't have the castle. But I'm pretty sure we had the barn. And I think I did odd things with the garage and my extensive collection of Hot Wheels. And yeah, what was up with the bully? I can picture him, very vividly. Which, considering that I don't have kids or hang out with any little kids, is kinda funny. Of course, I watch kids' movies and cartoons, too, so I am maybe not the best judge of maturity.

Anyway, yeah, I remember that my sister was enough older than I was so that she knows all my embarrassing kid stories, but she was pretty much over hers by then.

I got home just in time! Especially since I don't usually take those lines, but did today. msbelle, the 7 should be OK for you, right? Due to the up-in-the-air-ness.

Yay Bob Bob!

Hey, Bob Bob, you ever look at Philosophy for Beginners? My wife picked it up to see what I was gassing on about all the time, and both of us thought it quick but comprehensive.

Moving on...

Philosophy Made Simple, by Richard Popkin and Avrum Stroll. Popkin was a giant, both physically and reputationally. He was considered one of the more important historians of philosophy, and he was also very large--had-a-lot-of-difficulty-getting-on-the-bus large. Moreover, he was one of the first JRK assassination conspiracy theorists. He's dead now. But this should be good.

Philosophy for Dummies, by Thomas Morris. No one actually linked to this book, although someone mentioned that he/she had read that it got reviews for being overly dismissive of certain views. Well, here's what I know about the book: I've heard from one friend that it's good. Here's what I know about Thomas Morris: he's a very good philosopher who used to teach at Notre Dame and now has his own consulting firm, where he makes a lot of money. He's a very clear and engaging writer, but, as mentioned, he does have an agenda; for instance, he thinks God exists, and that there are good arguments for this conclusion. Of course, that's not really that un-inclusive, given that every other introduction to philosophy (except one) thinks that God doesn't exist, and thinks that arguments show this to be the case. (That might not be the case with Stephenson's guide, but I doubt it.)

why the long link of ****** ?

Didn't close a tag correctly, but should be fixed now.

Happy that Bob is here.

gotcha. Yes, I will get home via 7 fine and dandy, I hope.

Moving on...

Sophie's World, by Jostein Gaarder. I read this book from cover to cover when I was in Germany. The writing was clear enough for me to read it in German, and it's quite comprehensive. I think this might be the best book to read if philosophy-writing normally makes your eyes glaze over.

Think, by Simon Blackburn. This seems to be the introduction that most philosophers use for their students. Of all these philosophers, Blackburn is probably the most important for contemporary debates, and is also quite a good writer. The book is short, and very good. It's also biased (especially regarding philosophy of religion. Ugh!), but whatcha gonna do? There's no way to escape bias in these things. There's a companion volume all about ethics called Being Good. This one receives my highest recommendation.