Product Description

Iain Hampsher–Monk’s lucid and accessible history of modern political thought is the introduction which many have been waiting for, providing a thorough guide to the ideas and writings of major political thinkers from Hobbes to Marx (including a full account of The Federalist papers).

The author’s aim throughout is to incorporate the benefits of modern scholarship of the historical school, with its emphasis on historical and political circumstances as a key to meaning. Recognizing that for most students time will not allow detailed study of the historical and political contexts of particular works, Hampsher–Monk provides here the background necessary for the reader to situate the writings of key thinkers in relation to wider currents in intellectual and political history.

A History of Modern Political Thought will meet the needs of both general readers and students of political theory and philosophy. It is an indispensable secondary source which aims to situate, explain, and provoke thought about the major works of political theory likely to be encountered by students of modern political thought.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #107506 in Books
• Published on: 1993-01-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 624 pages

From the Back Cover
Iain Hampsher–Monk′s lucid and accessible history of modern political thought is the introduction which many have been waiting for, providing a thorough guide to the ideas and writings of major political thinkers from Hobbes to Marx (including a full account of The Federalist papers).

The author′s aim throughout is to incorporate the benefits of modern scholarship of the historical school, with its emphasis on historical and political circumstances as a key to meaning. Recognizing that for most students time will not allow detailed study of the historical and political contexts of particular works, Hampsher–Monk provides here the background necessary for the readers to situate the writings of key thinkers in relation to wider currents in intellectual and political history.

About the Author
Iain Hampsher–Monk is Professor of Political Theory at the University of Exeter and Editor of the international Journal History of Political Thought.

Customer Reviews

Leaden, stilted and confused
I bought this textbook to accompany a course I did on modern political philosophy. Having finished the course I can now reveal to you what the views of most Warwick students are! This book is dire. The material is ordered in a bizarre way, which makes reading each philosopher difficult. The language is appallingly leaden - truly the most difficult book I've ever read. Huge chunks of relevant material are ommitted, large bits of wholly parenthetical nonsense about the history of the time is included. The topic is fascinating, but this book is enough to make you quit. How to some up this work in five words - Simply Dreadful Waste Of Money...

Good, thorough, interesting...
I don't know what they get up to at Warwick, but I got this book for the History of Political Thought (paper 20) at Cambridge and I thought it was useful and well written. Admittedly I focussed on the Rousseau chapter, but it's a recommended book on the faculty reading list, and most of my friends found it useful. Read it carefully, and get a First!

Cliff notes for History of Political Thought
I bought this book to help me get through my History of Political Thought course at Manchester University and I found it a brilliant resource.
It sums up the major political thinkers' work in a comprehensible manner and was the key to my success in the course. I got a 2:1, while many of my classmates who did not bother buying this book got lower grades and asked me for my copy when they were retaking the exam.
It is a lot easier to understand than Hobbes' himself for example and much more illuminating.
Many readers will find it boring, but that's probably because they have little interest in the subject itself and are only reading it because HPT is a compulsory subject and not an exciting one at that.