The Republic

By: Plato

Narrated by: Bruce Alexander

Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

In The Republic, Plato tackles the big issues of the state and the individual: how the state should be ruled, and by whom; and the way the individual should lead his life - and why. Plato casts Socrates in the role of the leader and teacher in this carefully-reasoned enquiry held in association with the students of his circle. Yet despite the rigor of the argument - the need for a philosopher-king; the need for just behavior by all - the beneficient humanity of Socrates and the poetic imagination of Plato are vividly apparent. The lively quality of the dialogue can be clearly appreciated in this new translation by Tom Griffith.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

Public Domain (P)2000 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd., All Rights Reserved

Well worth the time.

I picked this title on sort of a whim, primarily because of its status as a timeless classic. I was initially skeptical as it represents a marked divergence from the types of audiobooks I am wont to select. Almost to my surprise, I found that I really enjoyed listening to it. I can now appreciate its reputation for provoking thought and reflection.

The narrator did a fine job in his ability to engage the listener, however he did have a tendency to reduce to a whisper that was often difficult to hear.

Philosophy Class

This audio download of Plato's Republic was used as a supplement to the readings I was doing for class. Although it was a slightly different version than my text book, it really helped my understanding of the material a lot. I got an A in the class! I would highly recommend this audio download if you are required to read this for a course.

One of the best book ever written! Period.

The audiobook is beautifully narrated by Bruce Alexander and respects the original ancient Greek version. Plato himself would have been happy by this interpretation.

Plato's Republic

This nicely priced, excellently read fresh translation contains Plato's preference for a state ruled by a philosopher-king as opposed to a democracy. It also contains his classic pholosophy of ideal truth under the famous analogies of 'the divided line' and the 'cave'. The work concludes with an interesting account of life after death. Socrates shines in this interpretation as Plato's voice.

Well done

Those looking for exposure to Plato will find this abridged version of The Republic a good starting point. The translation is modern and the reader's voice is well suited for the task.

will make you think

Applicable to our current political environment. Rathe sexist and absurd at times, The Republic remains a classic with its obsession for defining justice.

The Republic By Plato

What is the nature of human beings? of things which transcend the human condition? Plato's Republic is necessary for anyone who wishes to think well, to understand well. Contemplating this book over time will help simplify and clarify the way you understand the world. This book is good for anyone with a thoughtful and inquisitive nature. Even the thoughtful subjectivist is bound to consider the eternal and transcending nature of truth, to reconsider the limitations of truth in the physical world. What is Justice? What is the Good? What is the nature of humans...what is the one thing that sets us apprt from animals? Are all men equal? What is the difference between laborers and rulers? What is the Good Life? This classical text calls up intriguing questions thinkers wonder at every day. Excellent for those who wish to rule or think well...executives, government officials, students. Sheds light on the foundation of Western thought and civilization.

A good narrator reads an easy, great classic book.

The narrator's voice fits well with this book. Since I read this, I got interest in this narrator. His voice sounds wise, benevolent and vivid.

Socrates unveiled.

I don't know how many courses I've taken that included The Republic as an exeplary work of political philosophy--the best earliest thinking on democracy sort of etc. So, I thought I knew many of the key concepts. However, I must be an auditory listener because I got so much more out of this audiobook than I ever dd reading the written text myself. Now I appreciate the book beause I found it enjoyable and fascinating and not just because I've been told it is a Great Book. The translation is lucid, intelligent and contemporary enough for some fun, and it is read with ease and grace. This is another one I'll listen to repeatedly with a realistic hope of finally really 'getting it."

Insightful

I enjoyed listening to such an intelligent discussion. Especially the bit about managing how Socrates perfect society would manage it's families and breeding. It's also fascinating to hear someone claim democracy as one of the lesser, and heavily flawed forms of government.

However, I had a lot of trouble following the arguments from beginning to end. They were too long winded and without enough redundancy about which points had been proven, and which ones still needed to be proven. Hopefully the arguments will make more sense the next time I read/listen to this book.