Philosophy is a complex subject. As a matter of fact, even those who are well-acquainted with philosophy can sometimes be hard-pressed to articulate an exact way of defining philosophy. Perhaps the broadest and most general way to describe philosophy would be to say that it is the art of thinking. Of course, there is much more to thinking and thought than can be described in only one book, and those new to philosophy may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of philosophy texts available. If you are interested in learning about philosophy and wondering where to begin, then this list of five awesome books about philosophy for beginners should get you on the right track.

The Beginner’s History of Philosophy by Herbert Ernest Cushman. This book starts at the birth of philosophy and takes the reader through all of the three major periods of philosophy: ancient philosophy, medieval philosophy, and modern philosophy. It’s a great starting point for understanding how the collective mindset of man has changed over the ages, and how deeply philosophy is ingrained in culture and society.

A History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell. As the title suggests, this book provides a basic overview of Western philosophy’s growth and evolution over history. It contains a thorough analysis of must-know Western philosophical views, such as those of Kant, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Dewey and Nietzsche. Russell was an extremely educated man, with a well-rounded knowledge of everything related to philosophy, and his writing is clear, easy to follow, and never obscure.

The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. No matter where you begin in your quest to understand philosophy, it will no doubt be a mentally taxing task. The Oxford Companion is the most comprehensive philosophy dictionary available, and should be readily available when you delve into any philosophy text.

Plato’s Five Dialogues. These expound on the basic arguments of philosophy, and are written as a discourse between student and teacher, making then not only educational, but also entertaining and easier to read than many of the other philosophical writings.

Reading Philosophy by Guttenplan, Hornsby and Janaway. This is a guide to reading philosophy. It primes the reader to the mindset and critical thinking skills that are necessary to effectively reading, understanding, and assessing any work of philosophy, using actual philosophical texts as examples.

If you want to learn about philosophy, then prepare yourself with the knowledge that getting acquainted with philosophy will be a real labor of love. However, it will be worth the effort, as philosophy can open your mind and life in ways you might’ve never imagined. Begin with these texts, be patient, and eventually you will have the mental foundation necessary to taking on any work of philosophy you choose.