Plato's the Republic (Barron's Book Notes) [Paperback]

Jane Yarbrough (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1985 | ISBN-10: 0812034368 | ISBN-13: 978-0812034363

A guide to reading "The Republic" with a critical and appreciative mind. Includes background on the author's life and times, sample tests, term paper suggestions, and a reading list.

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (April 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812034368
• ISBN-13: 978-0812034363
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,905,640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good to have... could be better though., March 17, 2000

By 

Christine (Frostburg State University, Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plato's the Republic (Barron's Book Notes) (Paperback)

This is a good helper to make it through Plato's Republic. However, some of the most important parts (e.g. the abolition of the family and the equality of women) are skipped over. Also, the term paper ideas are not very original... most college students could come up with these ideas on their own. But, it does help if you have trouble interpreting the Socratic dialogs. For the price, it's a good deal.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The grandfather of all political theory., July 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Plato's the Republic (Barron's Book Notes) (Paperback)

It has been said that all political theory books are meer footnotes to Plato's masterpiece, the Republic. This is probably true on a descriptive scale. Plato puts forth the basic essentials of any and all forms of government and the men who support it. He laid the groundworks for generations of philosophers, government officials, and nations. However, Plato's idea of the utopian state is rather flawed and impractical. He preaches the dissolustion of private property, sharing of all possesions (including women and children!), censorship, a class system, and rule by philosopher kings. But he also brings forth ideas that were well ahead of their time, such as equal rights for women, monotheist beliefs, free and public education, education techniques, and more. Anyone interested in politics and the nature of society should read this book as a basis for exploration of this wide and interesting field.