This book has great information but it's also a really great gift book. There are wonderful photos of artwork with explanations of how people have looked at stoicism over the centuries. The quotes from famous people illustrated how important philosophers think stoicism is.
I keep getting drawn to stoicism because it's such a simple but powerful way of learning to be at peace in the world. With its emphasis on aligning yourself with nature, stoicism is a natural way to find calm in stressful environments.

The Art of War is a nicely written monograph on the classical school of philosophy by Dr. Paul Scade. Released 14th June 2025 by Amber Books, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardcover with a traditional sewn binding and uncut papers as well as ebook formats..

There are short entries throughout describing some of the history behind the rise of the stoic school, some of the main characters and lots of photos of artifacts and facsimile documents, statuary, and references throughout the book. It's a good -introduction- and overview, there's not a lot of deeper analysis or academic thoroughness.

Four stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home reference, and gift purposes.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Nicely done. Read like a textbook but less.dry than others I've had the (dis)pleasure of reading. Nit really illustrated as much as pictures of artifacts but those have always fascinated me too. Having had.littlw knowledge of the stoics prior to reading, I feel like I have a much clearer understanding and appreciation for them.

A fabulous gift book for that someone who has expressed an interest in learning about stoicism and philiosophy in general but doesn't know where to start.

The book covers the entire history of stoicism and its main proponents in easy, bite-size sections. Lots of relevant pull out quotes plus beautiful illistrations and photos make this an ideal gift book.

A good introduction and summation of stoicism and its influences with nice pictures/visuals.
I am always happy to read books with fresh concepts on stoicism and this book fit the bill.
The emphasis is still on the written text, and the visuals were only supportive, which was great.

This book offers a beautifully designed and visually rich introduction to Stoicism. The illustrations, historical artworks, and thoughtful visual elements make it not only informative but also a pleasure to look at. Each chapter includes parts from classical Stoic texts, which I truly appreciated—it allows readers to engage directly with the ancient sources, creating a stronger connection to the original thinkers.

In terms of content, the book provides a solid overview of Stoic philosophy. However, it's important to note that it primarily covers the foundational aspects. The material is well-researched and clearly presented, but it doesn't delve deeply into more complex interpretations. In that sense, this book is best suited for beginners or those newly curious about Stoicism rather than readers seeking in-depth philosophical analysis.

What stood out to me in a very positive way is how the book traces the influence of Stoicism through history and highlights its relevance in modern times. It successfully shows how Stoic ideas have endured and evolved, making them feel accessible and applicable today.

Overall, this is a thoughtfully assembled, visually compelling, and accessible introduction to Stoicism. A great starting point for anyone wanting to explore this ancient philosophy in a modern, reader-friendly format.

I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I’m very glad I had the opportunity to read it.