Conversations of Socrates (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Xenophon (Author), Robin H. Waterfield (Editor, Translator), Hugh Tredennick (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: July 3, 1990

After the execution of Socrates in 399 BC, a number of his followers wrote dialogues featuring him as the protagonist and, in so doing, transformed the great philosopher into a legendary figure. Xenophon's portrait is the only one other than Plato's to survive, and while it offers a very personal interpretation of Socratic thought, it also reveals much about the man and his philosophical views. In 'Socrates' Defence' Xenophon defends his mentor against charges of arrogance made at his trial, while the 'Memoirs of Socrates' also starts with an impassioned plea for the rehabilitation of a wronged reputation. Along with 'The Estate-Manager', a practical economic treatise, and 'The Dinner-Party', a sparkling exploration of love, Xenophon's dialogues offer fascinating insights into the Socratic world and into the intellectual atmosphere and daily life of ancient Greece.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Greek

About the Author

Xenophon was born c.430BC, an Athenian gentleman. Whilst fighting for Greece, he was finally banished due to his devotion to Socrates and support for Sparta. Settling near Olympia under Spartan protection, he began to write his treatises, histories and biographies. Hugh Tredinnick was Professor of Classics at Royal Holloway College from 1946 - 1966. he has translated works by Aristotle. He dies in 1982. Robin Waterfield is a self-employed writer with publications ranging from academic articles to children's fiction. He has tranlsated various Greek texts for Penguin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics; Revised edition (July 3, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014044517X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140445176
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Revelation, June 27, 2004

By 

Frank T. Klus (Phoenix, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conversations of Socrates (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Very few extant works remain on the life of Socrates: mainly the works of Xenophon and Plato. In "Conversations of Socrates" Xenophon writes extensively on the philosophical thought of the master in a forthright and simple manner. Xenophon has not always been praised for his writing style but he covers the Socratic principles thoroughly. The subjects aren't organized particularly well with examples of Socrates' views on certain virtues scattered throughout the text. Nevertheless, since Socrates didn't write his own thoughts we are very fortunate that we have these works.

Xenophon divided his works into four books: Socrates' Defense; Memoirs of Socrates; the Dinner-Party; and the Estate-Manager. Xenophon writes in the second and third person so that we "hear" the Socratic Method throughout the text. We see how Socrates used questions of his followers to teach them to think. His method thoroughly flushed out the truth and often revealed the flaws in the arguments his opponents and followers made.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Xenophon. One could almost imagine being right there with the master as he shredded the weaknesses in faulty arguments and uncovered hidden truths. His opinions on virtues may be dated to Twentieth Century people but one must remember that it was largely his teachings that had such a great influence on Western thought and ideas.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The second complete account of Socrates to survive., August 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Conversations of Socrates (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

More on Socrates, especially for those who wish to know more after having exhausted Plato (which is no simple task). Only gets four stars because it comes across as being slightly less powerful than Plato, although, contrary to the translators opinion, appears to portray the historical Socrates more accurately (except for the final dialogue). Socrates' Defense presents the only other complete account of his trial, Memoirs of Socrates is a collection, The Dinner Party is about the notion of love, and Estate Manager is a dialogue about managing an estate. I have always find the presentation of dialogue preferable to essay (as in Plutarch).

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Underrated, June 24, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Conversations of Socrates (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

While not as competent a writer as Plato, Xenophon's 'Socrates' is the historically more accurate (I refer to the chapter of Memoirs in this book.)The Dinner-Party was my favorite dialogue, there are also several brilliant vignettes throughout the memoir chapter. This is not to say that it doesn't 'drag' in parts, it does. The Estate-Manager, which is the last dialogue, terribly weighs down this volume; there Socrates is more a bystander than participant.

But I give this 5 stars, as its an indespensible volume for the Socratic enthusiast.