The Republic Of Plato [Paperback]

Plato (Author), F. M. Cornford (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195003640 | ISBN-13: 978-0195003642 | Publication Date: December 31, 1951 | Edition: 76th

Essestially an inquiry into morality, the Republic is the central work of the Western world's most famous philosopher. Containing crucial arguments and insights into many other areas of philosophy, it is also a literary masterpiece: the philosophy is presented for the most part for ordinary readers, who are carried along by the wit and intensity of the dialogue and by Plato's unforgettable images of the human condition. This new, lucid translation is complemented by full explanatory notes and an up-to-date critical introduction.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Very readable translation....The synopses at the start of each chapter are also quite helpful. The division into more natural chapters and sections is far superior to the 10 book divisions."--Janet L. Binder, University of Minnesota

"Remains the most accessible and readable of the Republic translations. AN excellent introduction to the literary beauty of Plato."--Charles S. Brown, Emporia State University

"A classic! Well presented for introductory courses."--Gray Cox, College of the Atlantic

"The translation is clear, the notes useful, and the preface a fine introduction to principles of translation--all this for a reasonable price."--Robert C. Bennion, Brigham Young University

"I've found that Cornford's translation is understandble to beginning students and his summaries help clarify the texts for students."--Stephen R. Dickerson, South Puget Sound Community College

"The clearest, most readable and philosophically most reliable translation of the Republic available."--Harvey Burstein, Queens College

"The clearest and most lucid translation of Plato's meaning in language that is both simple and colloquial and yet faithful to the philosophical complexity of Plato's ideas."--Harvey Burstein, Queens College

"Still one of the best!"--Katherine King, University of California, Los Angeles

"Without question the best available edition...for the beginning student. Cornford's translation and arrangement are unsurpassed."--Phillip B. Greene, Oxnard College

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Greek

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 76th edition (December 31, 1951)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195003640
• ISBN-13: 978-0195003642
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,979 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plato's bargain, July 31, 2006

By 

Rocco Dormarunno (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Republic (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

I won't waste time trying to summarize Plato's "The Republic". Most people (I would guess nine out of ten) who have read this colussus of classical philosophy, read it because they were forced to by their college instructors. This is unfortunate because "The Republic" is a compelling and enduring philosophy of how life should be lived, how justice should be approached, and how leaders should lead.

What recommends this book, really, is the bargain price: under five bucks. As one of those college instructors who makes their students read this, I always recommend this edition. Sterling and Scott's translation is as good as anyone else's, so why not save my students a few bucks? And, if you're one of those one out of ten who is considering reading this on your own, you've only got five bucks to lose, but an awful lot of rewarding reading to gain!

Rocco Dormarunno
College of New Rochelle

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Classic, December 14, 2005

By 

John Freeman "JF, Philosophiae Doctor" (El Cajon, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Republic (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

I got in to this book after reading E. Robert Morse's Justice and Equality and hearing about the parallels and I was pleasantly surprised. The translation wasn't a very difficult read and there are a lot of valid ideas that are still meaningful today. The wide scope of topics prevents boredom and the read is quick. I was interested in the opening questions- what is Justice and why should we be just? If one can gain material things and social prominence not being just and moreover being unjust, why do it? His answers aren't always filled with perspective, but they do open one's mind. Another good book along these lines is Essays by Michel de Montaigne which is an overview of life from a humanist's perspective.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another suberb accomplishment, June 13, 2000

By 

theCardiffGiant (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Republic Of Plato (Paperback)

F. M. Cornford is possessed of the rare distinction among translator's of being not only a philologist but a celebrated historian and a deeply philosophical scholar. His English translations of Plato are unparalleled if only because he understands the subject matter better than any historian, and understands the language better than any philosopher. His work is consistently above par.

An eminently readable edition of a classic and essential text.