This brilliant biography of Socrates by historian Paul Johnson situates the father of philosophy in the fifth century BC Athens that he loved, delving into the geopolitics of the time, his service as a soldier, his wide range of acquaintances and the civic unrest that led to Socrates' trial and death. This is a fresh and fascinating portrait of the thinker who believed questioning and education were the keys to a virtuous life, proving that Socrates' beliefs and philosophy are as relevant today as in ancient Athens.