A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers

The book was in perfect condition and arrived within one week. I will use this book source again. It would be helpful to know which edition you are buying.

I bought this book for my son, great deal and came with free shipping. It was at least 20 dollars less than the college was asking for.

This is one book that every college student MUST read. It is a very resourceful book, introducing you to the many of the world's greatest thinkers...ancient,modern, and contemporary. It is one of those books that makes you REALLY think about stuff (about the world, humanity, and existence). What's really beautiful about this book is that it combines philosophy with literature. Reading this book, you will not only analyze about the ideas themselves, but also how the ideas are presented (rhetorical and literary technique).

In this collection, Jacobus includes some of the most inspirational and intriguing ideas from great thinkers of antiquity and today. Not only does the anthology include selections from the bedrock of Western philosophy, science, social theory and religion, it also includes selections connected to Buddhism, Islamic thought and other topics celebrating diversity. I've used this reader in advanced freshman composition classes for three years, and I have found it to be the most thought-provoking text I have ever encountered. Too often, today's college freshmen are exposed to a shotgun blast of diverse, modern writers concentrating on social issues of our day. How easy is it to understand Brent Staples or bell hooks without first knowing about Martin Luther King or Frederick Douglass? Is it possible to intelligently discuss David Boaz with no knowledge of Thoreau, Jefferson, or Rousseau?? Unfortunately, many of today's incoming freshmen have none of the background knowledge in liberal arts that many instructors take for granted at the college level. Jacobus' collection can provide that background, while at the same time bringing out timeless issues for writing and spirited discussion.

The book is required for my english class.I just got it and have not had a achance to read it. What I can tell you is that the book arrived very quickly, which is exactly what I needed. Thank You.