Edited and translated by Allan Bloom

Introduction by Adam Kirsch

On Sale: Sep 22, 2026
Page Count: 528 pages
Publisher: Basic Books
ISBN-13: 9781541609372

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$51.00 CAD

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The definitive translation of Plato’s Republic, the most influential text in the history of Western philosophy

“To read The Republic as Bloom means it to be read is to question everything we think we know about government, politics, the best human life, and the nature of truth.”—Adam Kirsch, from the introduction

A cornerstone of Western thought, The Republic remains an unmatched exploration of justice in which lofty ideals collide with the practicalities of human existence. Just as the ancient city-states grappled with the notion of virtue and the proper role of the citizen, so too do we today face profound questions about our own society and its values.

In this masterful translation by Allan Bloom, readers encounter Plato’s timeless insights with clarity and vigor. And whether you’re approaching this seminal text for the first time or the fiftieth, Bloom’s insightful commentary provides a deeper understanding of Plato’s philosophical arguments. This definitive translation invites you to engage with the eternal struggle to define justice and the nature of human flourishing.

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"The best available English translation....It compels intelligent readers to come to grips with what Plato actually wrote."
American Political Science Review
"No one else has even come close to balancing Bloom’s fidelity to Greek with intelligible English prose. Add a lengthy, provocative interpretive essay and extensive textual notes, and one could almost be forgiven for playfully referring to the book as Bloom’s Republic."
National Review