The Cambridge Companion to Locke

Rating:
Summary: A good introduction to a great thinker
Review: I just wanted to counter the review of the first writer on this book - this companion to Locke's thought is pitched extremely well between the needs of the new reader and a Locke scholar. Each of the articles are accessible, providing an interesting take on each of the subjects tackled. They are certainly not a simple read, however, and the reader is required to make an effort to understand the different strands of argument being discussed. The difficulties of understanding are far from insurmountable and the reader is provided with a sense of achievement in reaching a useful understanding of each subject under discussion. The articles cover all the major areas of Locke's philosophical work (with perhaps an emphasis on his epistemology and metaphysics) and there is an excellent biographical sketch. There is also a fine bibliography of Locke's works and related scholarly material. This book is a useful and informative introduction to Locke's thought. It does require an effort of understanding, but this effort is well-rewarded.

Rating:
Summary: Too ambitious to be good
Review: Like others books in the Collection of Cambridge Companion, this volume on Locke's philosophy is too difficult to for new readers and too simple and general for scholars that already knows the basics of Locke's thought. Moreover, of the diffeents essays pubblied in this Companion, some are very usefull for a wide and general look. I think it's a good tool to graduate students looking for exapnding their knows on the political theory of XVIII century.