The Platonian Leviathan

‘The author of substantial and thought-provoking studies of Plato’s Republic and Shakespeare’s political dramas, Craig’s latest effort interprets Leviathan as an exercise in Platonic political philosophy … Craig’s book both summons scholars to return to the permanent questions about the right way of life and challenges them to match their readings of Hobbes and Plato against his own. Intrepid readers (and Craig, who associates philosophy with “the warrior spirit,” seeks no others) will benefit from the dialectical experience that The Platonian Leviathan makes possible.’ Daniel Cullen, The Review of Politics

‘… Craig offers the reader of his book a course in how to interpret a great classic of political philosophy with a view to our concerns in the twenty-first century … Craig’s book offers a very comprehensive interpretation of Hobbes’s Leviathan … It is difficult, or, to put it more correctly, impossible to do justice to this book packed with thoughts and intelligent suggestions … [E]ven in mentally developing counter-arguments or amplifications of Craig’s interpretations, they will do what is most necessary in order to come to grips with the dilemmas of modernity, especially as they relate to the theologico-political problem … It is a bold attempt at making sense of Hobbes for our world … Recommended for collections of philosophy, political science, and literature – and especially those readers who try to combine interests in all three of these research fields.’ Michael T. Rogers, Political Science Review

‘Leon Craig’s The Platonian Leviathan is always thoughtful and refreshing in what it says about Hobbes, metaphysical issues, and the works of Melville and Conrad. Its subtle and learned arguments are worth pondering; there is much to learn from Craig about the matters he discusses.’ Mark Blitz, Claremont Review of Books

‘This book is a treasure of close reading and every student of Hobbes should confront it.’ Geoffrey M. Vaughan, Review of Metaphysics

‘This is a book not to be missed by anyone who is interested in the political thought of Thomas Hobbes.’

Laurie M. Johnson, Canadian Political Science Review vol 45:04:2012

'Written from a sense of urgency ... The Platonian Leviathan is a tightly woven argument. Leon Harold Craig sets about his task with the joy of a scholar in command of his sources but with the motivation of a genuine (and so rare) philosopher ... Craig's book will change forever the way serious readers of Hobbes understand the master.'

Barry Cooper, Department of Political Science, University of Calgary