Socrates

A Man for Our Times

By: Paul Johnson

Narrated by: John Curless

Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Acclaimed historian and best-selling author Paul Johnson’s books have been translated into dozens of languages. In Socrates: A Man for Our Times, Johnson draws from little-known resources to construct a fascinating account of one of history’s greatest thinkers. Socrates transcended class limitations in Athens during the fifth century B.C. to develop ideas that still shape the way we think about the human body and soul, including the workings of the human mind.

©2011 Paul Johnson (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Engaging and informative without being dry

Oftentimes historical subject books have the reader suffering through a high British, slightly monotone liturgy of begot history, rather like reading of Genesis' A begot B who begot C then D,E,F,G.... with some small bits of interest thrown in just to see if the listener hasn't fallen asleep at the wheel.

This was not a begot book.
This kept me awake through two consecutive listening.

Interesting with the flavor of the time giving notice of the what's, why's, and especially the so what's.

And the reader very nicely complimented the text.

Good analysis

The book is really good and provides a good analysis of Socrates mind and life. It makes great connection among his thoughts, modern philosophy, Christianity and other relevant aspects. My only point of the book is that in some parts it took too much focus on peripheral figures instead of Socrates. Finally another great book from Paul Johnson, my favorite biographer.

top shelf in all respects .

will surely read more from this author. efficient and clearly explained . highly recommended to all who love the classics

The ethical just moralist for every age

Very impressed with the level of righteousness this non-christian achieved without the blessing of God's revelation.
Great narration.

Must read, basic knowledge for humanity.

I think Socrates' thoughts are very well detailed and objectively analyzed by the author.The reading is immersing and enjoyable.

My misconceptions dispelled

Most of what I had learned about Socrates as a person seems to have be wrong or at least misconstrued. The author does a fantastic job of casting light onto the person and his ideas.

Great Story About a Great Man

We all know the name Socrates, but often time we think philosophers are insufferable know-it-alls. Socrates was not. Although this book only generally touches upon his philosophy it does a great job in describing what sort of man Socrates was and the times he lived in. The author does a great job in making the information accessible and interesting and the narrator was excellent.

A bit lacking....

While Paul Johnson does a good job at telling the reader about Socrates... it is not what Johnson said as much as what he omitted. There are only a handful of human beings in antiquity and hundreds of years post CE that warrant a sizeable or larger volume of information. Socrates is one. I did not look at length, amount of time it takes to read and so forth. " Note to self" , make sure coverage is thorough. Johnson does refer the reader to a better biography of Socrates in the 3rd chapter or so, highly encouraging the reader to follow up. I appreciate the narrator. He read what was written and I found myself secretly wishing, he read all of the books available on Audible and more. Too, author gives perspectives, such as Socrates' chosen tool for teaching, elaborates aptly on use of irony. He cites how oblivious the listener or student is, perhaps even confused with frequent ironic inserts. To answer a question with an unrelated but 100% applicable question or even asking the student, "what do you think?"intermittently, reminded me of several teachers in college, more. He cites all of the important Socrates graduates, importance of our acknowledgement. He focused on Socrates' virtue and his bottom line was just that. That ethical, moral and honesty were everything. So my problem? What did he eat? When did he learn sarcasm.. and use it. ? What did students enjoy? Ok. That's all from me.

History, context, and analysis: Great listen!

I love all of Johnson's books. This one gave me an understanding of what we know of Socrates. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a brief overview of the era, culture, his contemporaries, his life and death, his philosophy, and a masterly analysis of it all.

Great introduction to Socrates.

East to understand. This book is a great introduction into Socrates and his lasting impact on the west.