Rousseau: A Very Short Introduction

The Very Short Introductions are a major educational resource. There are presently nearly 700 small books covering a very wide range of subjects. Although short, the Introductions are substantial in content. Everyone would benefit from reading these books to broaden their knowledge and understanding in diverse areas of life. Perseverance with some subjects may be required but be prepared to be surprised, enlightened and enriched.

Very Short Introduction books are always wonderful, and this is no exception.This book is an extremely helpful addition to an education degree, with great knowledge of 'Emile' and the events which led to its publication.Rousseau is extremely important for understanding education - particularly​ child-centred education - but the language can sometimes be hard to get your head around. This guide takes that worry away, and helps you understand all of the necessary key ideas. Thoroughly recommend.

Embarking on study again after many years away from education I have come to rely on the Oxford University Press, A Very Short Introduction To... series, as would a man with a broken leg on a pair of crutches. Nobody said philosophy would be easy, and how right they were. Rousseau is right up there as one of the most complex political philosophers of the bunch. His work as a champion of the French Revolution causing many people to have real issues with his work. He was equally lauded and reviled in his own lifetime, and this book gives a real sense of the ambiguities and complexities of the man and his mind. It's not always an easy read, and I found myself having to go back to sections and start again with this book. Having said that, the layout of the book and the thought which has gone into dividing up the material makes that a relatively easy matter. It is difficult to know how much of the difficulty I had with the subject was the author's way of writing, which at times I felt went a little too deep for such an introduction into the subject, and how much of it was the fact that Rousseau's work doesn't really allow for snappy soundbytes and easy to understand diagrams. Nevertheless, as ever, a good place to start if you're struggling with the subject.

Really nice book. I now have a few of the ‘short introduction to’ series and love them. There are pocket size with a. Lovely finish. The content is far better than I had anticipated on each subject and helped me learn a great deal about each one. Can not wait to buy more of the series

Probably all the facts in here are correct, so if you need a compact crib for a philosophy exam this might do the trick. But the writing is so flat and frankly boring that it would be impossible to come away enthusiastic about Rousseau after reading this.

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This is a very interesting book. It covers all the important aspects of Rousseau. Always again! I am completely happy with the product and the way it was delivered.