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    The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers
    The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers
    The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers
    Audiobook11 hours

    The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers

    Written by Eric Weiner

    Narrated by Eric Weiner

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    The New York Times bestselling author of The Geography of Bliss embarks on a rollicking intellectual journey, following in the footsteps of history’s greatest thinkers and showing us how each—from Epicurus to Gandhi, Thoreau to Beauvoir—offers practical and spiritual lessons for today’s unsettled times.

    We turn to philosophy for the same reasons we travel: to see the world from a dif­ferent perspective, to unearth hidden beauty, and to find new ways of being. We want to learn how to embrace wonder. Face regrets. Sustain hope.

    Eric Weiner combines his twin passions for philosophy and travel in a globe-trotting pil­grimage that uncovers surprising life lessons from great thinkers around the world, from Rousseau to Nietzsche, Confucius to Simone Weil. Traveling by train (the most thoughtful mode of transport), he journeys thousands of miles, making stops in Athens, Delhi, Wyoming, Coney Island, Frankfurt, and points in between to recon­nect with philosophy’s original purpose: teaching us how to lead wiser, more meaningful lives. From Socrates and ancient Athens to Beauvoir and 20th-century Paris, Weiner’s chosen philosophers and places provide important practical and spiritual lessons as we navigate today’s chaotic times.

    In a “delightful” odyssey that “will take you places intellectually and humorously” (San Francisco Book Review), Weiner invites us to voyage alongside him on his life-changing pursuit of wisdom and discovery as he attempts to find answers to our most vital questions. The Socrates Express is “full of valuable lessons…a fun, sharp book that draws readers in with its apparent simplicity and bubble-gum philosophy approach and gradually pulls them in deeper and deeper” (NPR).
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateAug 25, 2020
    ISBN9781797105871
    Author

    Eric Weiner

    Eric Weiner is author of the New York Times bestsellers The Geography of Bliss (now a docu-series featuring Rainn Wilson) and The Geography of Genius, as well as the critically acclaimed Man Seeks God and The Socrates Express. A former international correspondent for NPR, his work has appeared in The Atlantic, National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the anthology Best American Travel Writing. He lives with his family and a menagerie of animals in the Washington, D.C. area. For more information, visit: EricWeinerBooks.com.

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    Reviews for The Socrates Express

    4.5/5

    79 ratings11 reviews

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    • 5/5
      A wonderful tale written by a singular man on the exploration and application of philosophy to his life. It’s a journey many of us are certain to find comfort and familiarity in.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Inspired me to think I could think like a philosopher and provides context for diving into primary sources.
    • 5/5
      Great book, love the narration. 2nd book I've listened to by this author, he is a great writer.
    • 5/5
      A perfect introductory philosophy book. Easy to listen to and there's plenty of humor to keep the reader entertained aside from many thought provoking questions
    • 5/5
      Incredible philosophical journey ! Marvelous, thought provoking. Loved it !
    • 1/5
      A lot of wandering text, hard-to-follow stories —especially hard to follow if you have ADD
    • 5/5
      This book is a charming tour of various philosophers and historical notables from the unique perspective of the author. While it reflects his own take on things, it’s well done and serves as a model for all of us.
    • 5/5
      fantastically accessible listen. Rather than lose the reader in existential mumbo jumbo, Eric let’s you meet and greet the great men behind their philosophies.
    • 5/5
      Amazing book for beginners or intermediate students of philosophy. Thank you very much for this
    • 5/5
      To match his weining, after learning to embrace his entitled sounding voice, I found myself on a philosophical journey passing essential ideas, great wise lines, wanting more and more coffee & completely forgetting about his voice. And tbh: I miss it now.
      In fact, I’m searching for more of his voice, Bizarre i know, but it did completely sound like his truth. And truth is love.

      One point of critique: I’d really do a bit more research on how to pronounce certain philosophers name or works - esp for an audiobook. It was def cringe at times but not impactful enough. Lols
    • 5/5
      Educational, enlightening and funny. I really enjoyed this philosophical journey