The Shorter Writings

For anyone who wants to understand Xenophon's thought fully, these shorter works are vital. McBrayer has brought together an impressive group of scholars who have produced excellent, reliably faithful translations as well as illuminating introductory essays on these deceptively unassuming gems. -- Timothy Burns, Baylor University By making available the shorter writings of Xenophon in reliably accurate translations, accompanied by consistently illuminating interpretations, this volume makes an important contribution to one of the most heartening and consequential scholarly achievements of the past fifty years: the rediscovery of Xenophon as a political philosopher of the first rank. -- Peter J. Ahrensdorf, James Sprunt Professor of Political Science, Davidson College This is a most welcome volume. Xenophon's shorter writings-all eight of them-have here been collected and translated literally for the first time. The interpretive essays are rich and thought provoking. A significant contribution to the modern recovery of Xenophon's Socratic wisdom. -- Eric Buzetti, Associate Professor, Concordia University, and author of <I>Xenophon the Socratic Prince: The Argument of the Anabasis of Cyrus.</I> Plaudits to Gregory McBrayer, who has edited a new collection of the shorter works of the ancient Greek philosopher Xenophon, complete with fresh literal translations and interpretative essays by distinguished scholars. The Shorter Writings features Xenophon's reflections on subjects ranging from tyranny, political economy, hunting with dogs, and the ways of life of Athens and Sparta, the two most interesting Greek cities. By writing on topics that can at first glance sometimes appear quite mundane, Xenophon shows how the greatest philosophical puzzles can be seen through the practical problems of life out in the world. * Mosaic Magazine * Magnificent.... The translators and commentators assembled by McBrayer approach Xenophon with a prudence and care that would have made the Athenian smile. * The Weekly Standard *