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Starred Review. Impressive scholarship redefining an iconic event.--Bryce Christensen
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
The real story behind one of the great philosophical scandals of history - Socrates' trial and condemnation.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't think that the author of this book suggests that Socrates supported 'the Thirty' at all. Surely it is more the case that the book argues that Socrates was sacrificed because he was seen by some as a 'sophist'; and that he taught his followers, in a very public manner, to question the underlying assumptions of Athens' way of life.
This book is very insightful and interesting; well-written and very thorough. I recommend it highly. The author's book on Xenophon is also very good, and I would recommend that too.
Both these books offer very good background and interesting historical analysis of Athens during its imperial phase and its struggles with Sparta and Persia.
This book is very insightful and interesting; well-written and very thorough. I recommend it highly. The author's book on Xenophon is also very good, and I would recommend that too.
Both these books offer very good background and interesting historical analysis of Athens during its imperial phase and its struggles with Sparta and Persia.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An entertaining and convincing exploration of the military and political milieu of 5th century Athens and its implications for understanding the trial and execution of Socrates. It benefits from being refreshing clear sighted about Socrates, portraying him as a flawed person, tainted by association with oligarchic and tyrannical Athenian factions, rather than the unimpeachably innocent victim of Platonic myth.
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"Why Socrates Died?" by Robin Waterfield is a fresh, carefully researched and very coherent account of Athenian democracy at its best and worst.
The most surprising theme of the book, was that democratic Athens was so deeply divided on class lines: perhaps that is why for much of this time Athens was, despite its disasters, such a success.
The detailed analysis and description of the life and death of Alcibiades was the strongest part of the book. Alcibaides can be dismissed as just a maverick and a loose cannon. Robin Waterfield reveals the complexity, driven nature and strange genius of the man.
It was rather sad in the end, that the probable reason for Socrates demise, was the revenge of fathers for Socrates supposedly leading astray the youth of Athens: I had hoped that Athenian democracy would have been stronger than that and on another day or year Socrates would have survived.
One does not need to be a Greek scholar (which I am not) to enjoy this book, which drew one back into the world of classical Greece. Although the book highlighted the weaknesses and unpleasantness of much of the Athenian polity, it reinforced in me my longstanding fascination, respect, admiration and even love for democratic Athens.
After having read the book, I found the review by Mr McCormack rather puzzling: Robin Waterfield's books ( I have also read Xenophon's Retreat) present the evidence and his well thought out views, in a story which is comprehensible for the reader (whether a scholar or layman). Perhaps Mr McCormack was disappointed that Robin Waterfield took time to explain to the reader the political, religious and cultural context which lead to the death of Socrates, rather than concentrating the whole of the book on Socrates himself.
The most surprising theme of the book, was that democratic Athens was so deeply divided on class lines: perhaps that is why for much of this time Athens was, despite its disasters, such a success.
The detailed analysis and description of the life and death of Alcibiades was the strongest part of the book. Alcibaides can be dismissed as just a maverick and a loose cannon. Robin Waterfield reveals the complexity, driven nature and strange genius of the man.
It was rather sad in the end, that the probable reason for Socrates demise, was the revenge of fathers for Socrates supposedly leading astray the youth of Athens: I had hoped that Athenian democracy would have been stronger than that and on another day or year Socrates would have survived.
One does not need to be a Greek scholar (which I am not) to enjoy this book, which drew one back into the world of classical Greece. Although the book highlighted the weaknesses and unpleasantness of much of the Athenian polity, it reinforced in me my longstanding fascination, respect, admiration and even love for democratic Athens.
After having read the book, I found the review by Mr McCormack rather puzzling: Robin Waterfield's books ( I have also read Xenophon's Retreat) present the evidence and his well thought out views, in a story which is comprehensible for the reader (whether a scholar or layman). Perhaps Mr McCormack was disappointed that Robin Waterfield took time to explain to the reader the political, religious and cultural context which lead to the death of Socrates, rather than concentrating the whole of the book on Socrates himself.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Missing Socrates
Socrates' actions will have been a major contributor to his conviction, and the political hysteria at the time will in turn have been the counterbalance, but this book spends about... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Broken iPod owner
Great 5th Century History within a Great Framework
This is not a difficult book to read - it is engaging and presents the information clearly and in a well structured way. Read more
Published on 13 July 2009 by Classicist
Blatantly suppresses evidence
The core argument of this book was featured in the January 2009 edition of History Today; a well respected journal first published in the 1950's. Read more
Published on 15 May 2009 by John P. Mccormack
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