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The Socratic Dialogues: Early Period, Volume 1
- The Apology, Crito, Charmides, Laches, Lysis, Menexenus, Ion
- Narrated by: David Rintoul, full cast
- Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Here are the Socratic Dialogues presented as Plato designed them to be - living discussions between friends and protagonists, with the personality of Socrates himself coming alive as he deals with a host of subjects, from justice and inspiration to courage, poetry and the gods.
Plato's Socratic Dialogues provide a bedrock for classical Western philosophy. For centuries they have been read, studied and discussed via the flat pages of books, but the ideal medium for them is the spoken word. Some are genuine dialogues while some are dialogues reported by a narrator supposedly at a later date.
Ukemi Audiobooks presents all of the Socratic Dialogues in a series of recordings divided into Early Period (Volumes 1 & 2), Middle Period (Volumes 1 & 2) and Late Period (Volume 1) - based on their likely composition by Plato. This opening volume starts with perhaps the most famous speech, The Apology, Socrates' doomed defence against the charge of heresy and corrupting the young. It is followed by Crito, in which Socrates' friend offers to spirit him out of Athens to avoid execution. Among the others are discussions on Courage (Laches), and Friendship (Lysis).
The role of Socrates is taken by David Rintoul, a widely admired and experienced audiobook reader who studied philosophy at university before taking a different path to RADA, TV, theatre and film. He is joined by a broad range of readers, most known to Audible listeners. Each Dialogue is prefaced with a short introduction to set the scene for newcomers to Plato.
Translation: Benjamin Jowett.
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What listeners say about The Socratic Dialogues: Early Period, Volume 1
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Jeff Lacy
- 05-30-18
Entertaining, insightful, stimulating
Stimulating, insightful, entertaining, fun. For goodness sakes it’s Socrates. What else could it be. Using Jowett’s translation. The performers are excellent and enrich the reading of the dialogues.
6 people found this helpful
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- JCW
- 06-04-18
All of Plato is excellent and instruction
I enjoyed immensely all of these dialogues translated by Benjamin Jowett and performed superlatively by David Rintoul. Very highly recommended for those who seek an existential edification and a philosophic understanding of Ancient Greece as exemplified by the insightful writings of Plato in the character of Socrates his great teacher. Socrates said true wisdom is knowing that you don’t know. Find out what you don’t know by self and other examination! Rintoul’s performance in the character of Socrates is sheer brilliance, along with a great cast of supportive actors. Each Dialogue is briefly introduced with the characters and setting that are involved. I’m on to the next set of Dialogues in the order that they were supposedly written. The works of Plato, along with Shakespeare and Dostoevsky are my three books that I would take with me on a stranded desert island.
3 people found this helpful
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- Mohad Cheridi
- 12-21-17
I liked it very much...
This is a first class rendering of the socratic dialogues...Ukemi produces very fine audiobooks and i always keep an eye on their catalogue...
I really enjoyed it...
3 people found this helpful
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- Victor Kanarev
- 03-10-20
Excellent presentation of the Socratic Dialogues
The first six dialogues are performed excellently. In the seventh dialogue, though, the actor playing Ion sounds a bit out of place. His unusual funny accent doesn't quite fit into the perfect classical performance of the other presenters.
2 people found this helpful
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- Sean Vikoren
- 06-27-20
Fail
If we come to Socrates without an interest in precision then I have no idea what we're doing.
On the other hand, if we come to Socrates with an interest in precision then the dishonest translation is going to do us in.
So why did I then listen to the whole damn thing?
It's pretty entertaining.
1 person found this helpful
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- Brandon
- 09-24-21
One of those works I will never get tired of
In this audio, the main three dialogues for which I've lost count of how many times I've listened too are "The Apology", "Crito", and "Euthyphro". I would recommend everyone to have at one point read or listened to these dialogues. In my opinion, they contain the closest portrayal to the real Socrates. With that said, I've found these audios to be the best both for the translation used and also for the performances of the actors. Further, I'd like to highlight the performance of Rintoul whom I thought was exceptional at voicing Socrates. The cast too were exceptional, but I find it is hard not to give the glory to Rintoul (Socrates) whom is the main character in all of the dialogues.
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- Salvatore
- 07-26-21
A Must Read
utterly brilliant insight into the conversations of the father of western philosophy. Truly feel more complete having read this. Socrates was a better christian than christians.
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- Phillip J. Fitzsimmons
- 06-06-21
Becoming one of my favorites
This performance is becoming one of my all time favorite books on Audible. The dialogues are not simply read. There are multiple actors producing the scene for the reader. Sound production is excellent. Ukemi has done a great job.
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- Chris
- 11-27-17
A masterful recording brings Plato back to life
As a fan of Plato, I had been searching for a complete set of the Socratic Dialogues, so I was very excited when I saw Ukemi recordings. I was even happier when I found out that Nicolas Soames, the founder of Ukemi, was previously in charge of Naxos Audiobooks and had produced many of my favourite classics. As for the production, it is well done and the actors give you a clear sense that they actually understand the ideas Plato was trying to convey: the pursuit of truth through questions, answers, and more questions. To me the attribute of actor-understanding is essential to enjoying any philosophical work in audible format and particularly with dialogues like these. In this case you feel as if you are in the room, experiencing the tension, with convincing protagonists attacking and defending competing theories of truth, virtue, and the good life. This is a very effective (and enjoyable) path to Plato. I'm currently on Volume 3 but I will definitely be buying the rest as soon as they are released. Top marks so far!
8 people found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 05-23-20
What need be said?
All western Philosophy is a series of footnotes to Plato. An incomparable work, perfectly performed by the entire cast. Indispensable listening for anyone wishing to live an examined life.
3 people found this helpful
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- Georgia Dennis
- 03-29-21
beautifully spoken
Honestly I'm so glad I downloaded audible even if just for this book alone the way it is acted put makes something I didn't think could be accessible very much so
1 person found this helpful
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- Nelson F.
- 02-03-21
Perfect narration, compelling texts
This is the perfect audio edition as David Rintoul reads it beautifully, bringing all the characters to life! Highly recommended
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 11-03-20
An excellent way to experience Plato.
When imagining Plato I never thought it would be anything but formal and dense discussion of philosophical ideals. I see now why his works have endured. The discussion is made charming by the format it is presented in, and an audiobook with reading of this quality was an excellent first exposure to the wit of Plato.
1 person found this helpful
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- Dale Linney
- 01-01-20
Good start!
Very accessible introduction to the Socratic dialogues. Well read by the whole range of characters.
1 person found this helpful