The Stoics Paperback – March 15, 1994

Good, scholarly, and inclusive book. One of the best on Stoicism. It combines the advantages of being concise but broad and instructive.

A wonderful introduction to the Stoics.

I'm convinced that had I read this single book years age, my life would have been better managed. I love brilliance, and every thing is there to help you ask the right questions and find more intelligent solutions to most of life's decisions that must be made.

An excellent study and presentation by an eminent Stoic scholar. Professor Sandbach, who passed away in 1991, provides a clear and accessible study of Stoic philosophy. He covers the cultural milieu as well as specific Stoic teaching on ethics, logic and cosmology. One has to be amazed at how much Sandbach knew about the Stoics, as with each topic and Stoic he covers, he includes criticisms of other Stoics, inconsistencies within the specific Stoic's teachings as well as multiple interpretations of the Stoic's perspective. The impression given is that early Stoicism was in no way monolithic and went through its own growing pains as it addressed and responded to both specific day-to-day requirements of a lived philosophy and longer term metaphysical issues. Sandbach includes the usual Stoic cast - Zeno, Chrysippus, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius - but also goes beyond and introduces the reader to lesser known Stoic lights, like Posidonius and Hierocles. Sandbach is not in agreement with some Stoic philosophy and makes sure to let the reader know when that is the case. This is a short but comprehensive book that provides a valuable and accessible introduction to Stoic philosophy and its protagonists.

This is a thorough and readable introduction to the Stoics, with clear presentation of basic Stoic concepts as well as the author's personal analysis of those concepts and their logical limitations. This is a good work written by the write kind of scholar: someone who appreciates the value offered by the Stoics while remaining willing to hold them accountable for their shortcomings as a unified philosophical currency.