"Human knowledge had become too great for the human mind. All that remained was the scientific specialist, who knew 'more and more about less and less,' and the philosophical speculator , who knew 'less and less about more and more'." We need books like this to communicate the ideas to those who don't have the time or energy to read the original texts, or provide a context and starting point for those who do, because its become impossible to read even a fraction of everything in a single lifetime. Beyond just being a survey of philosophy and philosophers though, as the title suggests, it feels like the author is telling a story, with many humorous or insightful interjections that make it very enjoyable to read.