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The Socrates Express

In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers

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The Socrates Express

By: Eric Weiner
Narrated by: Eric Weiner
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About this listen

 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). Philosophy Travel Writing & Commentary Inspiring Thought-Provoking Nonfiction Adventure
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An easy introduction to the philosophies of 14 famous and lesser known thinkers written to make the ideas relevant to our times. Well worth the time and even a second visit.

Entertaining and informative introduction to philosophy

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Great ‘train’ of thoughts, well written and wonderfully presented.
Also liked the author’s good sense of humour.

Highly recommended

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This is the book I always wished had existed, but had to wait for Eric Weiner to write it. I was bitten by the philosophy bug very young, but could never find interlocutors to share my enthusiasm. We teach philosophy completely wrong and fail to communicate the love that goes into love or wisdom and philosophising. Finally a book on philosophy with heart, I’ve listened to it five times now and recommended it to countless more.

If you can only take one book…

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I enjoyed this book. The author conveys his work well in a style that is easy to listen to. The tone of the book encourages reflection and doing philosophy as much as reading about the philosophy of others. His content is well measured for the philosophical novice who may not be familiar with more than the names of his various subjects.

Easy Listening

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