The Plot to Save Socrates

By: Paul Levinson

Narrated by: Mark Shanahan

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Paul Levinson's astonishing new science fiction novel is a surprise and a delight.

In the year 2042, Sierra, a young graduate student in Classics is shown a new dialog of Socrates, recently discovered, in which a time traveler tries to argue that Socrates might escape death by travel to the future. Thomas, the elderly scholar who has shown her the document, disappears, and Sierra immediately begins to track down the provenance of the manuscript, with the help of her classical scholar boyfriend, Max. The trail leads her to a time machine in a gentlemen's club in London and in New York, and into the past, and to a time traveler from her future, posing as Heron of Alexandria in 150 AD.

Complications, mysteries, travels, and time loops proliferate as Sierra tries to discern who is planning to save the greatest philosopher in human history, or to do so herself. And she finds that time travel raises more questions than it answers. Fascinating historical characters from Alcibiades (of the honeyed thighs) and Thomas Appleton, the great 19th century American publisher, to Socrates himself, appear. With surprises in every chapter, Paul Levinson has outdone himself in The Plot to Save Socrates.

(P)2006 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Light, engaging." (Publishers Weekly)
"A quick-to-read, entertaining treatment of the problems inherent in time travel with style and flair." (Booklist)

“A lively cast of historical figures populates this epoch-bending adventure, highly recommended especially for fans of alternate history novels.” ( Library Bookwatch)

Not perfect, but enjoyable

I did really enjoy this book. It does jump around a lot, and I found myself confused from time to time. I could forgive that though; you just have to suspend disbelief and roll with it. I would also recommend reading Plato's Crito first if you can; I had read it for an Ethics class so the context gave the book extra interest for me. It's fairly short and can be found on the internet. I would recommend this book if you enjoy time travel science fiction, with an intelligent female lead character, and interesting and orginal historical connections.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Time travel twister

I respectfully disagree with the other reviewers. I was thoroughly caught up in the time travel twists and turns. The characters WERE interesting and I did care what happened to them. It's also a chance to pick up a little Greek history along the way. All-in-all this is one of the most intriguing time travel novels I've read and kept me guessing till the end.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Don't waste a credit.

This story jumps around so much that it is difficult to follow. The characters are so one dimensional that you really don't care what happens to them, which is good because you are not going to know. Way too many loose ends. Don't bother.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Fun and Historic

This is a very good read, and very good look at history also. Not to mention fun at times. With some twists.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

mediocre writing ruins it

Time travel as a plot device can be tired, but this idea has a bit of originality to it--tied with the history of Greek philosophy. But mediocre writing (not awful but not good) made me bored enough that I haven't even finished it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Historical SF, loved it!

If you're not good at keeping up with movies that twist and turn, this book is not for you. A great fun read that keeps you moving through time and history and makes you constantly connect the dots, even as they circle back on themselves. Loved it!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

twist and shout

WOW - that was fun trying to keep up with. The twists and turns gave a refreshing spin on my favorite topic - time travel.
I can see this one being made for film.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Show promise -didn't deliver

The idea for this time travel story looked interesting, but the book rambled, poor characterization, as well as many sructural flow problems and logic did not abound. I was quite disappointed.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Difficult to follow.

There was no real depth to any of the characters. I was unable to finish it and sent it back.

Unpredictable!

This book is one you want to listen to closely. Full of plot twists and creativity.

A proper time travel romp!

Where does The Plot to Save Socrates rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Not exactly a top ten hit, but I'd say maybe 20th out of 100

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This was a surprisingly easy listen, I think it only took me one long journey, and I was there. I must admit I do love those little time travel quirks.