aehdeschaine , to bookstodon group
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I've never been able to get into Stoicism, but I still like reading about different philosophies. However, I also know that that is one where a lot of popular works deviate badly from the original.

So, a question: are Ryan Holiday's books solid/accurate? Are they in line with ancient Stoic philosophy? Are they a purely modern interpretation? Are they worth reading for growing my non-expert knowledge (in a positive, not just critiquing, way)?

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5teverin0 ,
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@aehdeschaine @bookstodon I was introduced to Stoicism when a friend recommended "The Obstacle is the Way". It piqued my interest enough to find out that there are other contemporary writers who do a much better job, in my opinion, than Holiday of laying out what the philosophy is about in an accessible way. Some that I would recommend are Massimo Pigliucci, Donald Robertson, and William B. Irvine.

stoicteacher , to random
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A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us.

appassionato , to bookstodon group
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Stoic Foundations by Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus

An essential guide to the core texts of Stoic philosophy, featuring a new introduction from Massimo Pigliucci, author of How To Be A Stoic.
Stoicism is a philosophy, a worldview, and a transformational practice.

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Three writers form the bedrock of Stoic thought: Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor; Seneca, a playwright and advisor; and Epictetus, a former slave turned philosopher and teacher. Stoic Foundations combines the work of these three pillars of Stoic thought into one essential volume, including Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations, selections from Seneca’s Letters from a Stoic, and Epictetus’s Enchiridion.
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    • appassionato , to bookstodon group
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    Marcus Aurelius The Stoic Emperor by Donald J. Robertson

    Experience the world of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius and the tremendous challenges he faced and overcame with the help of Stoic philosophy.

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    This novel biography brings Marcus Aurelius (121–180 CE) to life for a new generation of readers by exploring the emperor’s fascinating psychological journey. Donald J. Robertson examines Marcus’s relationships with key figures in his life, such as his mother, Domitia Lucilla, and the emperor Hadrian, as well as his Stoic tutors. He draws extensively on Marcus’s own Meditations and correspondence, and he examines the emperor’s actions as detailed in the Augustan History and other ancient texts. Marcus Aurelius struggled to reconcile his philosophy and moral values with the political pressures he faced as emperor at the height of Roman power. Robertson examines Marcus’s attitude toward slavery and the moral dilemma posed by capturing enemies in warfare; his attitude toward women; the role of Stoicism in shaping his response to the threat of civil war; the treatment of Christians under his rule; and the naming of his notorious son Commodus as his successor. Throughout, the Meditations is used to shed light on the mind of the emperor—his character, values, and motives—as Robertson skillfully weaves together Marcus’s inner journey as a philosopher with the outer events of his life as a Roman emperor. Review “Addictively written, this riveting visitation of the fascinating figure of Marcus Aurelius is as comprehensive as it gets, covering everything from his reign to his philosophy.”—“Notes from Your Bookseller,” barnesandnoble.com
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