I gave this book 1 star because it aspires to nefarious goals and it's terrible writing. Therefore consider this a podcast book review critique. I make many references to the earlier podcast entitled Meno by Plato so you may want to listen to that one first.If you are familiar with Plato's work, then you know that Socrates has a passion for debate. The stakes are high this time, because in this case Socrates is arguing to save his life.The book opens to the very public trial of Socrates who divides his accusers into two camps: those of long ago and those in the present day. He argues that his accusers of long ago hate him because they are filled with jealousy. According to him, a friend asked the Oracle if Socrates was the smartest man and she said, yes. This sent Socrates on a quest because he disagreed with her assessment. He planned to find someone who exceeded him in wisdom so he could confront the Oracle and demand an explanation. First he went to the politicians and questioned the man of the best reputation. After concluding with his questions he judged the man to be among the greatest of fools and said so publicly. This had the expected outcome: the man and his friends hated Socrates and sought his ruin. According to Socrates they circulated lies about him. After meeting with the politicians next he turned to the poets and finally to the artisans. In each case, after questioning these men, he publicly humiliated them and afterwards concluded they were fools. Again, this was group that comprised the accusers of long ago.The second accusation was that Socrates was teaching the people atheism and corrupting the children. They further insinuated that he did this for pay and his accusers warned the judges and the people that Socrates spoke with a forceful eloquence. Get the full list of classics here