Classics of Western Thought Series: The Modern World, Volume III

This book is used as a companion to my high school Modern European History AP class. We read philosophers which correspond to the time periods we are studying and have lively debates in class. The book gives enough background information to put each writer in historical context, and condenses each writer's work and ideas neatly and concisely. Some of the more difficult vocabulary is defined in footnotes, which can be helpful to students. If you're looking for an overview or comparison of different Western philosohers, this is a great book, but if you're looking to go in depth with any particular one, you may want to purchase a full version of the text you're interested in.