Humanizing Socrates? The author has done a fantastic job accomplishing what he tells us in his notes was his goal in writing this thoughtful novel and character study! The story is set in the form of an autobiography written by Socrates to his family. On the very day Socrates drinks the hemlock, his oldest son writes down events of that day. Each day Socrates is in prison awaiting execution for blasphemy and the corruption of youth, he reflects back on his life and writes to his family, giving details of his life from boyhood to the day before his death. He hopes with these heartfelt and soul-baring confessions in which he reveals his feelings, both at the time of each incident, and what lessons he's learnt, his sons will avoid the same mistakes he has made in his life. He reveals hubris, fear, resentment, and self-doubt. We see what events Socrates considers turning points in his life and how he discovers the meaning of "know thyself", the motto at Delphi.

Although he's had a native curiosity from boyhood, he is stimulated years later in his friendship with Simon the cobbler, into developing his "Socratic method" of questioning. At first I thought the cover a bit bland but I came to see it represents a concept in the book; one day, while tearing down the "long walls" after the Athenian defeat in war, Socrates sees a little plant struggling to survive in a block of marble which is gradually being torn apart by its efforts. He sees this as a lesson in optimism or persistence. I thought the author's blending in several of Aesop's fables and other anecdotes with a moral, to be well done. The characters of other major characters were also strongly delineated. The only blemish was the use of a couple of okay's, which I can't see in any historical novel set before that word gained currency--the 1800's.

Most highly recommended for everyone. Thanks to the author for sending me a an ARC as part of the Goodreads giveaway program. ( )