Beyond Stoicism

I found the range of topics and thinkers covered in this book both comprehensive and accessible. It touches on a broad array of important thinkers and explains their ideas in clear, easy-to-read language, notably without becoming too mired in esoteric an academic terminology. In this sense, this is an excellent introduction to some aspects of classical philosophy, many of which have been, and are, eminently important in shaping western thought and that may be put to good practical use even today.
On the other hand, there are a couple of aspects of this book that I found lacking and/or of questionable value. First is the incompleteness of discussion of some important topics. (For example, nowhere in the discussion of Plato's ideas of justice is there any mention of Plato's support of eugenics and "noble lies" perpetrated by rulers to keep the working class from aspiring to power and education.) In this sense, the book betrays a similar kind of implicit bias to so many theological texts that conveniently ignore paradoxes and ethical conflicts found in scriptures. Second, I question the value of the exercises at the end of each chapter. Their structure and phrasing is akin to that of grade school quizzes aimed at prompting students to memorize material rather than grapple with its philosophical implications. Research into the efficacy of such quizzes suggests they are not generally conducive to long-term learning. I think that this book would have been a much more useful and concise read without these exercises, allowing readers to consider the ideas presented on their own, challenging them to draw their own conclusions and decide for themselves if/how to apply these ideas in their own lives.
All that said, I still believe this book deserves a high rating for its clarity and for the fact that for most readers it will likely be a useful and interesting introduction to important ideas they may otherwise not encounter or find too difficult.