“This book is an easy, pleasant, and stimulating read. It is informal and playful, and it constitutes a drama in its own right. Here one gets to watch a master and subtle interpreter of texts take on an exceedingly puzzling Platonic dialogue in front of a dozen or so very bright young students.”

Paul A. Rahe, Hillsdale College

“Leo Strauss’s course on Plato’s Protagoras, ably edited and introduced by Bartlett, displays Strauss’s remarkable combination of generous attention to his students, philosophical acumen, and textual interpretation that is at once modest and intrepid. In addition to an illuminating analysis of the themes and action of the Protagoras (and the Gorgias), Strauss presents striking discussions of topics that range from the place and meaning of myths in the dialogues to ways to approach the dialogues and to begin to understand them.”

Mark Blitz, Claremont McKenna College

"Based on audio recordings of a 1965 seminar at the University of Chicago on Plato’s Protagoras, this transcript of the discussion between Leo Strauss and his students covers significant topics of importance to Strauss and political theory more broadly: the political uses of myth; the question of whether virtue can be taught; the ideas of courage, justice, and moderation; and freedom of thought and speech, among many others. . . Highly recommended." 

Choice