The Stoic: A biography of Seneca

by Francis Caldwell Holland

Fabulous wealth, literary fame, exile, an amazing come back to the height of political power and a tragic ending – the life of Lucius Annaeus Seneca - aka Seneca the Younger or simply Seneca – is one of the great untold stories of Ancient Rome. In The Stoic, Francis Holland presents a riveting portrait of the prolific but mysterious Roman statesman and philosopher whose works - especially Letters from a Stoic, Dialogues and On the Shortness of Life - remain popular and vital two thousand years later. Modern followers of Stoicism, the immortal ancient philosophy so eloquently espoused by Seneca, will glean new insight into the influences and events that shaped the most famous Stoic’s mind. *Kindle version includes illustrations.

109 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2015

Reviews

[Max Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

> It must always be remembered that his was no abstract philosophy of the study. It was addressed by a former man of action to men living under a reign of terror, whose lives were in daily peril; and its object was to free them from anxiety and brace their minds to meet their fate with indifference and dignity. Consequently it is in dangerous times that he has found the greatest favour.

An enjoyable book for fans of Seneca. While I am familiar with the overall history of the period he lived in, and know a little of his life from reading his writing, it was useful to learn more of the world he lived in: his family background, the contrast with writers and orators that came before him, the concrete moral dilemnas that he struggled with (luckily, few of us will have lives as interesting as Seneca's was), his naturalism.

For people who are not already familiar with the stoics, I would suggest reading them first.

Notes: https://maxjmartin.com/book-notes/the...

[Alexandre Pires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muito bom. começa pouco interessante, mas logo engata