A translation that reads very fresh without becoming insultingly contemporary. ( )

One of the joys of attending a Community College and taking an 'Philosophy 101' class it that you get an instructor like Bobby Rowe, PhD, of New Brockton, Alabama, that introduces their students to books like "The Last Days of Socrates." The discussions in class and follow up readings made the entire course that much richer and interesting. Dr. Rowe passed way in 2014 but his obituary summed up just part of his passion for critical thinking and education: "Dr. Rowe was an instructor at Enterprise State Junior College for 30 years, teaching Western Civilization, Philosophy, Anthropology, Sociology and Archaeology. He was passionate about what he taught and made students think. He was an advocate for people and their rights. He has definitely left an imprint on this world and his students." ( )

5/5, very impressive book and teaches us the ways of the Socratic method and shows us Socrates thinking of true happiness for a philosopher and how he was very calm about what is going on for him especially at the trials. Also quite a bit of comedic value during the trial and how Socrates essentially does quite mock the trial and talks with his own sense of thinking and ideas. tragic end but still interesting as to why he has chose that option and greatly debated his followers and their opinions on the matter. ( )

I'm glad I read this, however,the philosophy was heavy, but considering that this is about the execution of Socrates, the man who believed you can get to truth just by questioning everything, that is to be forgiven. I'm not going to say this was an enjoyable read, but it was illuminating. ( )

"I ask you to examine with me, gentlemen, the line of reasoning which leads me to this conclusion." (pg. 57)

A foundational text of Western thought, Plato's account of the final days of his teacher, Socrates, shows exactly why the philosopher was so admired. The Last Days of Socrates comprises four short books, or chapters: the 'Euthyphro', which discusses his upcoming trial for what looks, to modern ears, uncannily like wrongthink (and peer envy), the 'Apology', his eloquent rhetoric in court, and the 'Crito' and 'Phaedo', in which the condemned man – soon to be executed by ingesting hemlock – explains to his friends the reason for his magnanimity in face of unjust death.

The 'Euthyphro' establishes Socrates' character and the 'Apology' is the crown jewel; 'Crito' is over before you know it and the long 'Phaedo' is where it gets really heavy into the abstract ideas. The latter becomes particularly fatiguing but, throughout the book, the famous 'Socratic dialogue' format helps relieve the density of some of the philosophic discourse. All four of the books show Socrates acting with composure, integrity and, surprisingly, irreverence; the archetypal wise man that centuries of rationalists, philosophers and logicians have compared themselves against. His greatest example, in my opinion, is not in how he faced death but in his lack of dogma; by appealing to cold logic – or warm logic – he lets his audience decide for themselves, and when this verdict is in, each reader sees just why he has outlasted his petty enemies.

"If I am any more convincing in my defence to you than I was to my Athenian jury, I shall be satisfied." (pg. 116) ( )