Mark Holowchak has written an excellent guide for critical reading, writing, and analysis. It shows how engagement with philosophical texts exercises and improves one's ability to engage diverse issues arising in our increasingly complex lives.

Albert Mosley, professor of philosophy, Smith College

This is a clear and concise guide to critical reasoning. The book will be especially helpful to students who lack experience writing papers in philosophy courses since it contains sections on how to organize papers, how to avoid common mistakes in writing, and how to present arguments. It can be used either as a supplement in general introductory philosophy courses or as a more basic text in specialized courses in critical reasoning.

Robert Simon, professor of philosophy, Hamilton College

Critical Reasoning & Philosophy is a useful guide to the skills component of undergraduate philosophy courses, and an important resource for those of us who build courses around primary texts or contemporary issues. Holowchak spells out essential techniques for critical thinking, reading, and writing in an upbeat style that is easy to follow. Helpful hints for academic reading and writing complement traditional lessons in logic and grammar, all presented in clear, every-day language.

Heather L. Reid, Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy, Morningside College

Holowchak has put together a valuable resource for those of us who teach introductory courses in philosophy. This book provides students with a ready reference outside of class when they most need it in writing their papers, and the structure of the book makes it easy to use for both students and instructors.

Jan Boxill, lecturer and associate chair, director of undergraduate studies, Department of Philosophy, University of North Carolina

This is an extraordinary book. In less than 150 pages, it covers topics ranging from reading to writing, grammar to logic, and understanding to evaluation. The degree of comprehensiveness, clarity, and accuracy to which each topic is treated goes far beyond that of many books of double or triple its size.

Yong Huang, associate professor of philosophy, Kutztown University

This clearly written manual aims to teach students in introductory courses some fundamental critical reasoning techniques for reading and writing philosophic materials. Though written for budding philosophers, this book will also benefit those undergraduates who want to write concise, tightly argued papers. Recommended.

Choice Reviews