Dewey

Reviews / Votes

A CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title, 2015

'Evenhanded and charitable throughout, this introduction avoids the easy dismissal and well-intentioned adulation that often plagued assessments of Dewey's work throughout the 20th century. ... This book is superb in showing the interconnectedness of Dewey's philosophy, with each chapter building on the ideas developed in previous ones. ... In summary, this introduction is a rich and thought-provoking walk through the philosophy of Dewey, which will surely benefit both students and scholars alike. Summing Up: Essential. All readers.' - J. A. Fischel, CHOICE

'Fesmire demonstrates the vital relevance of Dewey's ideas today, not only for philosophers but for anyone willing to think hard about the problems of our times. Lucid, informed, and admirably wide-ranging, this book is a superb introduction to the many-sided reflections of America's greatest philosopher.' - Philip Kitcher, Columbia University, USA

'Fesmire has done an exemplary job of making Dewey accessible to readers who may have little or no background in philosophy. His account is highly accessible and rich in relevant, contemporary examples.' - Larry A. Hickman, Director: Center for Dewey Studies, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, USA

'Students of Dewey who read this book will come away with an understanding of his philosophy in the round. The key concepts that bring coherence to his writing over seventy years are communicated in an approachable, yet nuanced way which provides a fresh and masterful analysis for all those interested in Dewey studies, the new and the well-initiated alike.' - Molly Cochran, Oxford Brookes University, UK

'A fresh interpretation that combines accurate scholarship with exceptionally imaginative illustrations of Dewey's theories. Fesmire's account is both appreciative and critical, willing to test Dewey's ideas against contemporary examples drawn from art, technology, economics, environmentalism, Eastern philosophy, and education.' - David L. Hildebrand, University of Colorado Denver, USA

'A crisply written, deftly argued introduction to the thought of John Dewey. Fesmire has taken Dewey's oceanic philosophy and presented it with the clarity of constellations in the winter night sky. He balances a broadly informed historical perspective with keen concerns for contemporary social and ecological issues revealing the bearing and limitations of Dewey for our times.' - Thomas Alexander, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, USA

'Fesmire provides an exploration of Dewey's philosophy that the novices will prize as a clear, concise and comprehensive introduction, and that experts will respect for its depth of insight and understanding.' - Jim Garrison, Virginia Tech, USA

'This book fills an important role in making Dewey teachable in a variety of contexts. Not only will it be informative to students of American philosophy, it also provides a way to include Dewey in more general philosophy courses. Fesmire does an admirable job of presenting Dewey in a way that allows the reader to see how Dewey's views on central philosophical issues compare with other more commonly read philosophers. This is a valuable resource.' - Erin McKenna , Pacific Lutheran University, USA A CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title, 2015

'Evenhanded and charitable throughout, this introduction avoids the easy dismissal and well-intentioned adulation that often plagued assessments of Dewey's work throughout the 20th century. ... This book is superb in showing the interconnectedness of Dewey's philosophy, with each chapter building on the ideas developed in previous ones. ... In summary, this introduction is a rich and thought-provoking walk through the philosophy of Dewey, which will surely benefit both students and scholars alike. Summing Up: Essential. All readers.' - J. A. Fischel, CHOICE

'Fesmire demonstrates the vital relevance of Dewey's ideas today, not only for philosophers but for anyone willing to think hard about the problems of our times. Lucid, informed, and admirably wide-ranging, this book is a superb introduction to the many-sided reflections of America's greatest philosopher.' - Philip Kitcher, Columbia University, USA

'Fesmire has done an exemplary job of making Dewey accessible to readers who may have little or no background in philosophy. His account is highly accessible and rich in relevant, contemporary examples.' - Larry A. Hickman, Director: Center for Dewey Studies, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, USA

'Students of Dewey who read this book will come away with an understanding of his philosophy in the round. The key concepts that bring coherence to his writing over seventy years are communicated in an approachable, yet nuanced way which provides a fresh and masterful analysis for all those interested in Dewey studies, the new and the well-initiated alike.' - Molly Cochran, Oxford Brookes University, UK

'A fresh interpretation that combines accurate scholarship with exceptionally imaginative illustrations of Dewey's theories. Fesmire's account is both appreciative and critical, willing to test Dewey's ideas against contemporary examples drawn from art, technology, economics, environmentalism, Eastern philosophy, and education.' - David L. Hildebrand, University of Colorado Denver, USA

'A crisply written, deftly argued introduction to the thought of John Dewey. Fesmire has taken Dewey's oceanic philosophy and presented it with the clarity of constellations in the winter night sky. He balances a broadly informed historical perspective with keen concerns for contemporary social and ecological issues revealing the bearing and limitations of Dewey for our times.' - Thomas Alexander, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, USA

'Fesmire provides an exploration of Dewey's philosophy that the novices will prize as a clear, concise and comprehensive introduction, and that experts will respect for its depth of insight and understanding.' - Jim Garrison, Virginia Tech, USA

'This book fills an important role in making Dewey teachable in a variety of contexts. Not only will it be informative to students of American philosophy, it also provides a way to include Dewey in more general philosophy courses. Fesmire does an admirable job of presenting Dewey in a way that allows the reader to see how Dewey's views on central philosophical issues compare with other more commonly read philosophers. This is a valuable resource.' - Erin McKenna , Pacific Lutheran University, USA