A very good introduction to the thought of Plato, which neither presupposes any prior knowledge on the reader's part nor falls back on the easy generalizations that characterize so many introductory texts. The result is to make Plato more challenging to new readers and to put more real philosophizing in front of them. Throughout, Mason's clear, unhurried and unheated style makes thinking about Plato seem to be something any thoughtful person would want to do. A pleasure to read. - Nickolas Pappas, Graduate Center, CUNY