History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell

This book manages to serve no purpose whatsoever. It's far too long and unwieldy for the novice; bloated in the wrong spots for the intermediate; lacking in rigour for the advanced. Maybe it's just that Russell is such a clear stylist. The whole period from the Stoics could be replaced by a single chapter. His disregard of Hegel is horrible. For the beginner, choose anything by Bryan Magee.