Rating: 
Summary: "Oh, wow."
Review: This book was given to me along with a bunch of other second-hand ones by an English teacher. Since i homeschool, he wanted to give me something to read. I wasn't really interested at first, but flipped through some of them and got hooked. "Sohpie's World", is so amazing, I would have never thought about the concept Gaarder put in, about we, the people being just part of story, where the author is "creating" our future as he pleases. I have read and re-read the book, underlined the good parts, and then i wrote some of my own philosophy. It really made me look at life in a total different perspective. I love this book. I still can't believe how deep it is...
Rating:
Summary: Great source for the "nuts and bolts" of philosophy.
Review: For someone with a Master's Degree in Philosophy and an avid reader of the history of philosophy, I found this book to be quite good and interesting. Gaarder makes even the most complex philosophical ideas seem simple and concrete. I have already added it to the reading list of my AP European History class. This is a good introduction to the "nuts and bolts" of the history of Western philosophy. Anyone interested in learning about those ideas that have shaped the Western Heritage should read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Model UN
Review: SOPHIE'S WORLD comes with one of those "discussion guides" with all sorts of thought-provoking or nausea-inducing questions in the back. The first question asks "Is Sophie special or unusual, or can anyone become a good philosopher?" I hated that question when I first read it, but it does open up further questions. What is Sophie? Is she a character in Gaarder's novel? Or is she an object, a projection, not even worthy of the few considerations that we grant a character? She certainly acts like an automaton. Gaarder's book alleges itself to be a novel of the history of philosophy. Unfortunately, it barely stands up to the critical examination due a novel. The plot is non-existent. The characters are flimsy playthings. Sophie and should-be-creepy mentor Alberto Knox become philosophy salad-shooters, taking the ingredients that are the basis of Western Philosophy, and spouting them out in slightly tasty but good-for-you servings. I am in no way qualified to judge the History of Philosophy aspect of this book, but I suspect that Eastern philosophies are given short shrift. I also share some other reviewers' regret that Sartre marks the end into the exploration into the 20th century. The novel's "twist" coincides with the discussion of the philosopher that is the publisher's namesake, and this twist serves to both reduce whatever miniscule investment the reader may have placed on the paper-thin characters, while distracting from the object of relating the last sequence of philosophers. One thing about SOPHIE'S WORLD is that it is a very international book. My Chinese classmates tell me they read the book. The author and the characters are Norwegian, and one of the characters serves as a UN Peacekeeper. The UN is an interesting representation of global ideals, and it is interesting to see in current events how much weight it carries. SOPHIE'S WORLD wears its hopes for the UN on its sleeves, and it just underscores how depressing it is that so many in the United States would just as soon see the UN rendered irrelevant.
Rating:
Summary: This book makes you think in a totally different way!!
Review: You can always find huge books about philosophy and after a few pages you're totally lost, and have to start over again several times. But this one is different. Jostein Gaarder has sold this book all over the world, and I can see why!!
I first started to read this book when I was 15 years old, and to be honest I found it boring and gave up after a few chapters. But having read it again now, 4 years later, I have a completely different view on the book. It's not hard to read and you can easily follow young Sophie's ways of thinking. To some point her ways of thinking can be reflected in your ways of thinking. Trying to understand who you are, where you're from and other ancient philosophical questions. Seeing the different aspects of thinking makes you start to think yourself. I would recommend this to anyone older than 18. And espesially to those you want to learn something about philosophy without starting on books with a difficult language and content. And most important, all history of philosophy gathered in one place, to give you an easy overview on it. I had read this book before studying a semester of Philosophy, and it made the studies a lot easier! It's really worth to read, and you won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Splendid Introduction
Review: This book is perhaps the finest, lightest, introduction to Western Philosophy there is. It is written with the common reader in mind - NOT the philosophy professor. The fictional setting makes it very easy to apply one's mind to the ideas of Western Philosophy, especially if one hasn't had any background on the subject. No doubt the seasoned philosopher will find much of this book elementary and unsatisfying, but the value of this book is in its worth to those who have not had the pleasure of studying philosohy. I find the book to likely be most appropriate for high school students pondering the subject for the first time, college students with "open major" syndrome, or anyone older interested in a very light introduction. Those who read this book with a blank slate will glean the most from it.
Rating: 
Summary: Just can't finish it
Review: I've always been interested in philosophy, but this is just too dull. Not enough time is devoted to any one school of thought to give more than the bare bones of the ideas involved. This kid instantly grasps entirely new (to her) concepts in a way no 15-year old ever would. And I wanted to slap her after a while because I was so sick of all her cute, sarcastic remarks during her lessons. Plus, how smart could she really be to not only give a strange man her address, but to tell him what times of day she would be alone? When I finally decided I couldn't finish it, I looked ahead to see if the "big twist" I'd been anticipating all along did in fact pan out, and sure enough, there it was.
Rating:
Summary: A must
Review: This book made me re-think everything I thought I knew. It made me crave knowledge and try to "look into the magician's eye". Unless you have a degree in philosophy (in which case you may still find it amusing, yet repetitive), I consider this book to be a must in every person's life. Be ready to do some thinking!
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Summary: YOU NEED THIS BOOK...
Review: If you are at all interested in philosophy, or like myself a total layman when it comes to the topic, you NEED this outstanding book! It is written and explains the important history of philosophy so that even a young teenager can understand it. BUY IT!!!
Rating:
Summary: Should be read over and over
Review: I just finished reading the Turkish translation of the book and I'm planning to get couple of English versions to share with my friends.
The book will help you question your life and move up "the furs of the Rabbit" letting you see at least part of the big picture.
I would definetely recommend reading this book at different times of your life over and over again. Don't forget taking notes!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Philosophical Primer
Review: This book is a brilliant way to introduce yourself to the world of Philosophy. From the pre-Socratics all the way to the most current major philosophers, this book provides the reader with a wealth of information to whet the appetite for more. The story itself is also intriguing and absorbing. 'Sophie's World' is a book I often recommend to people. Read it, already!
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