A brief, illuminating history of western philosophy, from Plato to Descartes to Nietzsche. A small marvel, A Beginner's Guide to Philosophy provides an instructive and delightful introduction to philosophy. Despite its brevity, this beginner's guide covers a vast range of authors and topics. The reader will find discussions of ancient and modern philosophy, beginning with the pre-Socratic thinkers, before moving on to Plato and Aristotle. The narrative then proceeds to an elegant survey of modern philosophers: Descartes, Nietzche, Kant, and HAngel. At the end of this poignant yet practical intellectual journey, Dominique Janicaud at last addresses the problems that have occupied thinkers through the ages: the existence of God, the meaning of life, human nature, and the question of freedom.