The Philosopher Queens: The lives and legacies of philosophy's unsung women

This book is a very easy read, if you are in 6th grade, it might be for you. I thought perhaps it would read like other philosophy books I've read with advanced language and large concepts, but that is not the case. This is a very simple book with very short sections that introduce each woman in terms of her husband and her challenges then goes on to state what a great philosopher each one was, even though she was not a philosopher per se, but perhaps a lab assistant, or a novelist.

I often avoid edited books like this because I find that the writing and scholarship can be quite uneven between the different contributors. But that is not the case here. The editors, Rebecca Buxton and Lisa Whiting, did a terrific job finding stellar contributors across the board. I learned so much about the lives and ideas of these very important philosopher Queens who have historically not received the exposure that their philosophy deserves. In response to reviewers here on Amazon who criticize the idea that all of the women covered in this book are actually philosophers: you are taking a very narrow, crusty, old and largely dead view of philosophy as a purely theoretical exercise that can only be engaged in within the walls of an academic ivory tower. Many of the women featured in this book, as well as the women who write about them, have argued - successfully in my view - that philosophy is a tool that has a role to play in society and everyday life. You don’t have to be a professor of philosophy to be a philosopher, or to philosophize. A huge thank you to the editors for undertaking this important project.

There needs to be more books like this! I loved the idea and the tidbits of info. My only dislike was that it was so short. It really does serve a great purpose to get some names out there and getting people into the mind state of researching more about fundamental thinkers in our history who haven’t been given enough recognition.

THIS IS A BRILLIANT BOOK! It offers brief summaries of the philosophical contributions by women over the centuries, highlighting the very significant recent work of Edith Stein, Hannah Arendt, Iris Murdoch, and Elizabeth Anscombe. It is an eye-opener for all those who think philosophy is an exclusively male activity!

Honestly one of the most enjoyable books I have read in ages, A must read in any capacity.