"The Republic of Plato" translated with introduction and notes by Francis MacDonald Cornford (published by Oxford University Press, London) is in actuality a book about political thought. The author in the preface explains the intention to as accurately as possible in modern English give this books readers the "Republic" written by Plato plus notes for better understanding.

For those unfamiliar with Plato. Like Socrates, he was a philosopher. He was born in Athens, Greece in 427 or 428 b.c. Plato was an Athenian his entire life and saw many changes including the taking over of Sparta thereby ending the Democracy the city of Athens had as a political system. He knew Socrates, had the honor of studying underneath this great philosopher. He lived at the end of "The Golden Age" of Athens. Plato had family, friends, and in his own right was popular. The people of Athens took him seriously, respected him in his field of philosophy and what we call today Political Thought. The "Republic" is Plato's ideal of a political system that enhances a society, bettering mankind in the process. The republic he describes is dissimilar in comparison to the republic system we have in the United States. Plato's work was new and innovative for his time.

"The Republic of Plato" notes from the author were extremely helpful with understanding the classical Grecian mentality, and "the where" Plato was actually leading his audience. He was definitely a man of his time period. Compared to us today, one would call his "Republic" idea conservative, but like Socrates and Aristotle, Plato for his time was in actuality a liberal. His work portrays a new political thought, something that had not been thought of before and in Plato's day could be seen as a utopia.

"The Republic of Plato" is written on the college level. As is the case with most Political Thought books, it is written in a dry, non-fiction, slow paced, academic style. Plato was long winded. While reading this book one must keep in mind that the "ancient world" preferred exactly what Plato delivered. They did not have the advantage of our fast paced televised media. Their world ran at a much slower pace, and they wanted to be entertained even in Philosophy and Political Thought.

For those interested in the Classical Grecian Period, who desire to know how men from this period in time thought, highly recommend this book. It teaches exactly that. For those who desire to know the ancestor of what Political Scientists refer to as "modern Political Thought", this book is a must read. Francis MacDonald Cornford did an exemplary piece with "The Republic of Plato".

Other works by Plato include "Euthyphro", "Apology" and "Crito".