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Socrates: A Life Worth Living
A lively and accessible introduction to the quintessential philosopher, and the civilized world’s first enemy of the state.
Socrates: A Life Worth Living traces the life and ideas of one of Western Civilization’s founding philosophers, whose influence is still felt more than two thousand years later. Socrates is famous for how he died, executed by the Athenian government for corrupting the youth of Athens, but his most important contribution was to challenge the people around him to test their ideas and beliefs in conversation with each other, in the belief that in this way we could become a society that knows the difference between truth and falsehood, and find what makes a life worthwhile. He did not claim to have definitive answers, but he knew that knowledge was the key to finding them, and he invited everyone he met to join him in his quest.
The Socratic Method is the first, and still the best, method for distinguishing truth from falsehood. In Socrates: A Life Worth Living, award-winning author Devra Lehmann gives us the first biography for young readers of the thinker who has seen no equal.
Socrates: A Life Worth Living traces the life and ideas of one of Western Civilization’s founding philosophers, whose influence is still felt more than two thousand years later. Socrates is famous for how he died, executed by the Athenian government for corrupting the youth of Athens, but his most important contribution was to challenge the people around him to test their ideas and beliefs in conversation with each other, in the belief that in this way we could become a society that knows the difference between truth and falsehood, and find what makes a life worthwhile. He did not claim to have definitive answers, but he knew that knowledge was the key to finding them, and he invited everyone he met to join him in his quest.
The Socratic Method is the first, and still the best, method for distinguishing truth from falsehood. In Socrates: A Life Worth Living, award-winning author Devra Lehmann gives us the first biography for young readers of the thinker who has seen no equal.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published April 12, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 5, 2026
A slow and thought provoking biography. A life based on philosophy. On the important of relentless self-examination and understanding and knowing oneself as a prerequisite to wisdom and virtuosity. Asking real questions and seeking real answers to give you a life worth living.
September 4, 2024
I wanted to understand the man in the context of his time, and this was perfect. A balanced presentation of the philosopher and what drove him to live in poverty and to accept an unfair death sentence with grace.
‘The unexamined life is not worth living.’
Things I learned: Socrates was patient and good humored overall. He fought in two wars and was considered very courageous, as described possibly nerveless. He was always guided by a search for the truth of virtue, which he never achieved and accepted that he never would. He had a spirit guide or daemon that told him when not to do something, and he always followed it. He believed in the soul and its need to do right even though what is right is never clear. The search itself led to virtue.
He mixed with scoundrels and the worthy alike. He did not participate in politics. Socrates was skeptical of democracy because large groups seemed unable to obtain or process knowledge and took ill advised actions though he was proud of Athens and what it had achieved.
This was not a detailed and scholarly account but rather something accessible and enjoyable.
‘The unexamined life is not worth living.’
Things I learned: Socrates was patient and good humored overall. He fought in two wars and was considered very courageous, as described possibly nerveless. He was always guided by a search for the truth of virtue, which he never achieved and accepted that he never would. He had a spirit guide or daemon that told him when not to do something, and he always followed it. He believed in the soul and its need to do right even though what is right is never clear. The search itself led to virtue.
He mixed with scoundrels and the worthy alike. He did not participate in politics. Socrates was skeptical of democracy because large groups seemed unable to obtain or process knowledge and took ill advised actions though he was proud of Athens and what it had achieved.
This was not a detailed and scholarly account but rather something accessible and enjoyable.
June 1, 2025
Socrates is arguably one of the most famous Philosophers of the ancient world. He is so significant that almost every later philosopher claimed to be representing or continuing his legacy in some way.
This means that a new simple book about him and his philosophy is potentially a very welcome contribution to improving our contemporary understanding of him.
What makes the book a little distinctive is that its title pitches it as ‘philosophy for young people.’ But I’m not sure if that is entirely accurate. Yes it is a book that can be understood by High School students, but it also has more geographical and historical information about Socrates’ background than I would have expected in a simple book for young people. Its style also means that adults can read it too, without finding it condescending or ‘child-like.’ So I think the book should be thought of more as an introductory book, rather than one that is targeted for a specific demographic.
The book moves through Socrates life, broadly in chronological order. It introduces us to the main features of the city where Socrates met people, and it also introduces us to Socrates’ friends and the individuals who appear in his dialogues. That is a particularly helpful clarification as the names and significance of individuals who crop up in the dialogues about Socrates are not always clear to readers from those texts.
One of the things which I appreciated about the book is that it explains Socrates’ views but it does so without descending into hagiography. Other books about Socrates’ stress his humanness and his sense of justice and they sometimes try to see his influence in a wide range of contemporary events during his lifetime. What this book does is to avoid that kind of supposition. Instead, it notes that Socrates was often surprisingly absent from the decision-making processes of the city, especially on some issues where there were serious matters of justice and what we would now call human rights. Why was Socrates not using his civic powers to campaign more for justice? It is possible to formulate hypotheses but ultimately we simply don't know.
One of the problems with books on Socrates is that they inevitably have to pick and choose between the historical sources, because the sources are not consistent. The point is made well when the book talks about Xanthippe, Socrates’ wife, whose character is portrayed in different sources in completely contradictory ways. In places in the text the book does remind us that our main sources of evidence were not intended to be historical documents, so there are real questions about their accuracy. I think that it would have been helpful to provide a short chapter on that ‘Socratic Problem,’ so that readers are clear about the fact that potentially the vast majority of detail in the book could turn out to be historically wrong. That is not a criticism of the book, it’s a recognition of the problem of scholarship to do with Socrates. It is important that readers are mindful of that issue.
One additional area where I think the book could have done a little more was to provide more maps and diagrams. It does provide a basic range of visual resources, and they are well chosen and very helpful. However, I think that there were some obvious additional resources which seemed to be missing. For example, the book tells us that Socrates spent most of his life in Athens apart from 3 military campaigns which he fought in. We are told the names of the cities involved in those campaigns, but readers (and especially ‘young readers’) are going to have absolutely no idea where those places are. A little map with a few annotations would have been very helpful so that readers can keep track of the city names which crop up in the text.
Overall, this is a relatively clear and comprehensive introduction to Socrates thought, and to his thought-world. It is particularly suitable for readers who have no prior knowledge of Socrates, and for readers who have a very limited knowledge based on perhaps reading a single philosophical text or so.
This means that a new simple book about him and his philosophy is potentially a very welcome contribution to improving our contemporary understanding of him.
What makes the book a little distinctive is that its title pitches it as ‘philosophy for young people.’ But I’m not sure if that is entirely accurate. Yes it is a book that can be understood by High School students, but it also has more geographical and historical information about Socrates’ background than I would have expected in a simple book for young people. Its style also means that adults can read it too, without finding it condescending or ‘child-like.’ So I think the book should be thought of more as an introductory book, rather than one that is targeted for a specific demographic.
The book moves through Socrates life, broadly in chronological order. It introduces us to the main features of the city where Socrates met people, and it also introduces us to Socrates’ friends and the individuals who appear in his dialogues. That is a particularly helpful clarification as the names and significance of individuals who crop up in the dialogues about Socrates are not always clear to readers from those texts.
One of the things which I appreciated about the book is that it explains Socrates’ views but it does so without descending into hagiography. Other books about Socrates’ stress his humanness and his sense of justice and they sometimes try to see his influence in a wide range of contemporary events during his lifetime. What this book does is to avoid that kind of supposition. Instead, it notes that Socrates was often surprisingly absent from the decision-making processes of the city, especially on some issues where there were serious matters of justice and what we would now call human rights. Why was Socrates not using his civic powers to campaign more for justice? It is possible to formulate hypotheses but ultimately we simply don't know.
One of the problems with books on Socrates is that they inevitably have to pick and choose between the historical sources, because the sources are not consistent. The point is made well when the book talks about Xanthippe, Socrates’ wife, whose character is portrayed in different sources in completely contradictory ways. In places in the text the book does remind us that our main sources of evidence were not intended to be historical documents, so there are real questions about their accuracy. I think that it would have been helpful to provide a short chapter on that ‘Socratic Problem,’ so that readers are clear about the fact that potentially the vast majority of detail in the book could turn out to be historically wrong. That is not a criticism of the book, it’s a recognition of the problem of scholarship to do with Socrates. It is important that readers are mindful of that issue.
One additional area where I think the book could have done a little more was to provide more maps and diagrams. It does provide a basic range of visual resources, and they are well chosen and very helpful. However, I think that there were some obvious additional resources which seemed to be missing. For example, the book tells us that Socrates spent most of his life in Athens apart from 3 military campaigns which he fought in. We are told the names of the cities involved in those campaigns, but readers (and especially ‘young readers’) are going to have absolutely no idea where those places are. A little map with a few annotations would have been very helpful so that readers can keep track of the city names which crop up in the text.
Overall, this is a relatively clear and comprehensive introduction to Socrates thought, and to his thought-world. It is particularly suitable for readers who have no prior knowledge of Socrates, and for readers who have a very limited knowledge based on perhaps reading a single philosophical text or so.
December 10, 2025
Here a review that would help you to actually know if you want to read this book:
Socrates: A Life Worth Living by Devra Lehmann is a book that made me stop and reflect on what it means to live with purpose. From the very beginning, it does not feel like you’re learning just because but more like a challenge to think about Socrates’s choices and also my own. The way Lehmann presents Socrates is not as a figure locked in the past but as someone whose questions still matter today.
The book tells the story of Socrates through his conversations and his trial. He spent his days in Athens asking people about justice, virtue, and truth. He never gave easy answers, but he pushed others to think harder about what they believed. This way of living eventually led to his trial, where he was accused of corrupting the youth and not believing in the city’s gods. Instead of begging for mercy, he defended his right to question and declared that the unexamined life is not worth living. That moment is one of the most powerful in the book because it shows how much he valued truth over comfort or safety.
One of the strongest parts of the book is how Lehmann presents Socrates’ questions. They seem simple at first but are actually very deep. What is virtue? Can justice be taught? What makes a life meaningful?
These questions do not have easy answers, but they force you to think about what kind of person you want to be.
What I learned from these questions is that philosophy is not about memorizing theories, it is about learning to question. When Socrates challenged society’s fear of people who ask too many questions, I realized that sometimes being curious or critical makes others uncomfortable, but that does not mean it is wrong. These questions helped me see that living well is not about being perfect, it is about being honest with yourself and willing to keep searching for truth.
Lehmann’s style makes these ideas accessible. She writes in a way that is serious but easy to follow. She does not use complicated language, but she also does not oversimplify. It feels like she is guiding you through Socrates’ world while reminding you that his questions are still ours today. Reading the book made me slow down and reflect, which is exactly what philosophy should do.
I would recommend this book to students and to anyone who wants to think more deeply about their choices. It is not a fast or entertaining read, but it is meaningful. Some of the questions that stayed with me were what makes a life truly worth living, why do societies fear people who question too much, and can virtue really be taught.
The lesson I took from this book is that living well is not about success or popularity. It is about staying true to your values, thinking clearly, and being willing to question what others take for granted. That is the kind of skill Socrates showed, and it is the kind of skill I want to grow.
Socrates: A Life Worth Living by Devra Lehmann is a book that made me stop and reflect on what it means to live with purpose. From the very beginning, it does not feel like you’re learning just because but more like a challenge to think about Socrates’s choices and also my own. The way Lehmann presents Socrates is not as a figure locked in the past but as someone whose questions still matter today.
The book tells the story of Socrates through his conversations and his trial. He spent his days in Athens asking people about justice, virtue, and truth. He never gave easy answers, but he pushed others to think harder about what they believed. This way of living eventually led to his trial, where he was accused of corrupting the youth and not believing in the city’s gods. Instead of begging for mercy, he defended his right to question and declared that the unexamined life is not worth living. That moment is one of the most powerful in the book because it shows how much he valued truth over comfort or safety.
One of the strongest parts of the book is how Lehmann presents Socrates’ questions. They seem simple at first but are actually very deep. What is virtue? Can justice be taught? What makes a life meaningful?
These questions do not have easy answers, but they force you to think about what kind of person you want to be.
What I learned from these questions is that philosophy is not about memorizing theories, it is about learning to question. When Socrates challenged society’s fear of people who ask too many questions, I realized that sometimes being curious or critical makes others uncomfortable, but that does not mean it is wrong. These questions helped me see that living well is not about being perfect, it is about being honest with yourself and willing to keep searching for truth.
Lehmann’s style makes these ideas accessible. She writes in a way that is serious but easy to follow. She does not use complicated language, but she also does not oversimplify. It feels like she is guiding you through Socrates’ world while reminding you that his questions are still ours today. Reading the book made me slow down and reflect, which is exactly what philosophy should do.
I would recommend this book to students and to anyone who wants to think more deeply about their choices. It is not a fast or entertaining read, but it is meaningful. Some of the questions that stayed with me were what makes a life truly worth living, why do societies fear people who question too much, and can virtue really be taught.
The lesson I took from this book is that living well is not about success or popularity. It is about staying true to your values, thinking clearly, and being willing to question what others take for granted. That is the kind of skill Socrates showed, and it is the kind of skill I want to grow.
December 30, 2023
"Devra Lehmann's 'Socrates: A Life Worth Living' offers an engaging introduction to Socrates against the backdrop of Sparta and Athens. It sheds light on his lasting impact and philosophical ideas, emphasizing why Plato was influenced by him. Though it briefly delves into his personal life, it prioritizes his philosophical thoughts. A clear explanation of his trial and death demystifies common curiosities about his end. Recommended as a starter read for those new to Western philosophy, especially after books like 'Sophie's World.'"
December 11, 2025
A really fantastic and light-hearted book that dives into who Socrates was, what he did, and how his environment reacted to him, with great referencing and annotating.
I'm glad I read this book as it filled me in nicely on what I needed to know about this very interesting character in our collective human history. I would highly recommend.
I'm glad I read this book as it filled me in nicely on what I needed to know about this very interesting character in our collective human history. I would highly recommend.
August 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this intro to Socrates. It's very accessible and includes lots of interesting historical context while also introducing the beliefs and methods of Socrates. I would definitely recommend this if you're interested in learning about the philosopher and need somewhere to start.
March 11, 2023
A lot i never knew about him.
March 18, 2023
It was a little more history/Greece-focused than I liked. I had hoped for it to be a simplified version of his teachings, but it was still very interesting.
May 8, 2023
Devra wrote a great book about Socrates. Really enjoyed the Greek history and philosophical concepts.
August 14, 2024
very informative and digestible i enjoyed it
August 22, 2024
Good review of Socrates, his ideas and life, and Ancient Greece/Athens.
January 18, 2026
interesting a learned a lot about socrates, shame we don’t have more information on such an influential figure
February 5, 2023
This book consists the life of Socrates and how the government or the state understand his philosophy that made him sentenced to death. This book also consists of comments as to why his philosophy corrupt the minds of young people in his days.
I give this book 4 stars because the author said that she does not have any back ground or profession about philosophy but have take class only. And I think it could be an impact why a book is not that reliable enough?
I give this book 4 stars because the author said that she does not have any back ground or profession about philosophy but have take class only. And I think it could be an impact why a book is not that reliable enough?
July 14, 2025
Great overview of Socrates' life and philosophical impacts! Delves very lightly into some of his philosophical arguments, but not nearly deep enough to be confusing to someone with little to no background in the topic.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews