Outstanding translations by leading contemporary scholars -- many commissioned especially for this volume -- are presented here in the first single edition to include the entire surviving corpus of works attributed to Plato in antiquity. In his introductory essay, John Cooper explains the presentation of these works, discusses questions concerning the chronology of their composition, comments on the dialogue form in which Plato wrote, and offers guidance on approaching the reading and study of Plato's works. Also included are concise introductions to each translation, meticulous annotation designed to serve both scholar and general reader, and a comprehensive index. This handsome volume offers fine paper and a high-quality Smyth-sewn cloth binding in a sturdy elegant edition.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
One might be tempted to ask whether another collection of Plato's works is really necessary, given that they have been translated many times. But several factors set this particular volume apart, making it a worthy addition to most libraries. The translations are all relatively recent and thus reflect contemporary language use and terminology. The collection includes works such as the Minos, Epinomis, Demodocus, Eryxias, and Axiochus, which, though generally considered not to have been written by Plato, are "Socratic" in form or style. The text itself is clearly printed and laid out, with useful notes, and Cooper's introduction and notes about the translations are helpful in setting the dialogs in context. Finally, given what the purchaser receives, the price is reasonable. Recommended for all libraries.?Terry C. Skeats, Bishop's Univ. Lib., Lennoxville, Quebec
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Greek
Original Language: Greek
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
208 of 212 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
If you are at all inclined to get all of Plato in one volume then you are well advised to get this volume, for lack of viable alternatives.
The translations are a mixed bag. Cooper had little choice except to take over Grube's translations which inaugurated Hackett editions of Plato. While Grube delivers idiomatic English, he's inaccurate on so many key points that he will simply lead you into dead corners. (Instructurs should seriously avoid him in classroom use. There are worthwhile Penguin volumes of "Euthyphro" and "Republic".)
That said, there are real gems in this collection: Burnyeat's "Theaetetus", Frede's "Philebus", Gill's "Parmenides", Zeyl's "Timaeus", Reeve's "Cratylus", Rowe's "Stateman". But if you are a real fan of (any of) those, you should seriously consider getting the individual volumes (also by Hackett) with their substantial introductions (all of them highly recommended) woefully if understandably omitted from this volume. (Why can't there by a Norton Plato? 3000 pages with all of the individual Hackett's... I know, the market.)
Apart from this alternative (or complementation), you should also consider getting or borrowing items of the Clarendon Plato series: Gallop's "Phaedo", McDowell's "Theaetetus", Irwin's "Gorgias", and Taylor's "Protagoras" - philosophical commentaries and translations which have no superior (not so happy on Gallop, but you'll have to avoid Grube's "Phaedo" anyway).
A final comment. If you are new to Plato, Cooper's volume can be a pleasure to start with. Begin with the first "Alcibiades" and the "Symposium" (both beautifully translated here) and then read Cooper's wonderful introduction to the volume. I very much doubt you'll ever live life without Plato afterwards.
The translations are a mixed bag. Cooper had little choice except to take over Grube's translations which inaugurated Hackett editions of Plato. While Grube delivers idiomatic English, he's inaccurate on so many key points that he will simply lead you into dead corners. (Instructurs should seriously avoid him in classroom use. There are worthwhile Penguin volumes of "Euthyphro" and "Republic".)
That said, there are real gems in this collection: Burnyeat's "Theaetetus", Frede's "Philebus", Gill's "Parmenides", Zeyl's "Timaeus", Reeve's "Cratylus", Rowe's "Stateman". But if you are a real fan of (any of) those, you should seriously consider getting the individual volumes (also by Hackett) with their substantial introductions (all of them highly recommended) woefully if understandably omitted from this volume. (Why can't there by a Norton Plato? 3000 pages with all of the individual Hackett's... I know, the market.)
Apart from this alternative (or complementation), you should also consider getting or borrowing items of the Clarendon Plato series: Gallop's "Phaedo", McDowell's "Theaetetus", Irwin's "Gorgias", and Taylor's "Protagoras" - philosophical commentaries and translations which have no superior (not so happy on Gallop, but you'll have to avoid Grube's "Phaedo" anyway).
A final comment. If you are new to Plato, Cooper's volume can be a pleasure to start with. Begin with the first "Alcibiades" and the "Symposium" (both beautifully translated here) and then read Cooper's wonderful introduction to the volume. I very much doubt you'll ever live life without Plato afterwards.
92 of 98 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This is the best translation of Plato in English. First and foremost, it is the first and only COMPLETE English translation of Plato's works in the 20th century. All other anthologies have left out some works. Second, the individual translations are of high quality (some of the translations in other anthologies are a bit creaky). Third, the introduction and notes are extremely useful. This book is a godsend to me, since I teach courses on Plato and now no longer have to rely on previous, seriously flawed anthologies. This translation of Plato will be the definitive one for some time to come. It supersedes all other editions.
71 of 75 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
John M. Cooper's "Comlete Works of Plato" is the best single volume anthology of Plato around. Shrouded within the eighteen hundred pages of this book lie many treasures of abundant proportions.
This edition for the first time exposes these new translations: Cratylus, Alcibiades, Second Alcibiades, Hipparchus, Rival Lovers, Theages, Lesser Hippias, Menexemus, Clitiphon, Timaeus, Critias, Minos, Epinomis, Definitions, On Justice, On Virtue, Demodocus, Sisyphus, Halcyon, and Eryxias.
Also the introduction makes accessible techniques while reading Plato to give a more profound sense of the dialouges in order to distinguish Plato's ideas as a whole. Another point of interest is the section on definitions, which is a dictionary of 185 important philosophical terms that developed throughout the Socratic era. I am very happy to have purchased this volume and I hope you find the same joy in buying it for yourself.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
THIS REPLACED MY OLD BOLLINGEN EDITION
I still have a copy of the Edith Hamilton The Collected Dialogues of Plato: Including the Letters (Bollingen Series LXXI) that I bought decades ago in graduate school. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Orson Welles
5.0 out of 5 stars
This one has Stephanus numbers!
These translations are newer than those of Jowett, which may be an advantage for some readers. But the headline feature is that all the Stephanus numbers (and letters) are present... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jonathan Blocher
5.0 out of 5 stars
So far so good! This will take months
I have read bits and pieces over the years but I decided I needed to do a comprehensive read of all Plato's works. The book is in great shape and the translations are well done.
Published 8 months ago by NitaBillS
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Value
This is a nice volume of Plato's corpus, and represents excellent value for money. Highly recommended. Read more
Published 9 months ago by σωφροσύνη
4.0 out of 5 stars
Plato Book
Cover was not as the picture depicted, but still an alright quality book. Wish I would have had an accurate picture of the book rather than a cover from a different book
Published 10 months ago by Lfriedm4
5.0 out of 5 stars
Straightforward -- and good
While the price is indeed steep, it is vital (for me) that a Kindle collection of this kind be easily linkable, to include footnotes. This product has both.
Published 10 months ago by Frederick J. Woods
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have for those in love with PLATO and SOCRATES
Very good translations and excellent footnotes, to help you to identify what they would be referring in their texts. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Leandro Meinhardt
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent!
The book was exactly as described, and I appreciate the speedy service. What more could you ask for? Read more
Published 14 months ago by G. R. Juelg
5.0 out of 5 stars
TRUE Philosophy
Today the name of a philosopher is claimed by many undeservedly. Case in point: calling Nietzsche, Rousseau or Marx a philosopher would be the same as calling Judas a savior. Read more
Published on May 15, 2011 by Christina
5.0 out of 5 stars
The first book we should ever read...
If you want to get to the very bottom of things, this is your book. Socrates teaches how to extract truth from BS. Read more
Published on April 8, 2011 by J. Murphy
