The following is a partial transcript from Phil Van Treuren‘s recent appearance on the Via Stoica podcast.
One Stoic writer who I think everyone listening should look into — I think he’s been on your show — is Donald Robertson. I wanted to make sure to mention that.
He is, I think, one of the greatest Stoics — not only of modern times, but of the ages, as well. He has an ability to communicate Stoicism to a modern audience in a way that isn’t just understandable, but also comforting. That’s the only way I can describe his writing.
He’s venturing more into serious academic writing and biographies of people like Socrates and Marcus Aurelius. But Donald Robertson’s writing was some of the early education I had on Stoicism.
I’ve probably read half a dozen books by him. But every single one of them — it’s like he’s there, speaking calmly with you. And he makes you feel as though he’s listening, and that he’s your personal Stoic therapist.
I just love everything that he writes. And he has a real way with literary writing, as well. The chapter at the end of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor where he envisions Marcus Aurelius on his deathbed and what was going through his mind as he was coming to the end of his life — it’s not just great writing about Stoicism, it’s some of the best writing I’ve ever read. I mean, very moving stuff.
So anybody who’s interested in Stoicism — I mentioned Ryan Holiday. His stuff is terrific, and covers a wide range of different topics and human experiences. But Donald Robertson’s stuff is just — it’s one of the best ways to learn about Stoicism, and it will really connect with you.