Don't make the same mistake as I did and pick this up believing it to be an introductory work of philosophy. It's a challenging but really comprehensive history of philosophical texts, supplied of course with the usual wit and charm and brutal criticism expected from Bertrand Russell. He doesn't pull any punches in making clear whom he likes and whom he doesn't and consequently, the whole book is filled with fierce, and at times comical, opinionated criticisms.

Keep this in mind when you tackle this, and you will surely be rewarded.