The Great Political Theories; Volume 1 From Plato and Aristotle to Locke and Montesquieu; Volume 2 From Burke, Rousseau, Kant to Modern Times

New York: Avon Books, 1981. New Expanded Edition, later printings. Mass market paperback. Very good. 2 Volume Set, Volumes I and II. Volume I ISBN: 0-380-00785-1, 461, [3] pages. Selected Bibliography. Index. Volume II ISBN: 0-380-01235-9 Volume II: 492m, [4] pages. Selected Bibliography. Index. Born in London and educated at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Dr. Curtis earned his doctorate at Cornell University before settling in Princeton in 1963 when he was appointed to a teaching position at Rutgers University, where he is now Distinguished Professor Emeritus in political science. Professor Curtis has held a number of academic honors that include Fellowships, at the Princeton Center of International Studies, its Institute for Advanced Study and the Bellagio, Rockefeller Institute. As well as writing on the Middle East, he is renowned for work that looks at the origins of the political Right in modern France, and France's complicated role in the Holocaust during the Vichy regime and the Nazi occupation in World War II. His contributions to the study of the history of French political thought and 20th century French politics began with the first book he wrote after coming to the United States. Three Against the Third Republic is considered the definitive study of early 20th century French politics and the rise of the Right after the Dreyfus affair. Mr. Curtis's Verdict on Vichy (2002) was named one of the best books of the year by England's Daily Telegraph newspaper. Dr. Curtis is recognized internationally as an activist as well as a scholar. For many years, he was the president of American Professors for Peace in the Middle East and editor of the Middle East Review. As an introduction to political theory and science, this standout collection of writings by the great philosophers is a must for readers of philosophy. It also forms a basic textbook for students of government and political theory. Such fundamental concepts as Democracy, the Rule of Law, Justice, Natural Rights, Sovereignty, Citizenship, Power, the State, Revolution, Liberty, Reason, Materialism, Toleration, and the Place of Religion in Society are traced from their origins, through their development and changing patterns, to show how they guide political thinking and institutions today.