Book 1

Sokrates and the hermit

by John Stringer

Published 10 September 2021
Sokrates and the Hermit is an amusing and energetic introduction to real life characters from Greek history as well as fictional characters from Greek mythology, notably Herakles, the greatest of the Greek heros. This is the first book on a series loosely based on the classical twelve labours of Herakles and it combines the physical adventures of Herakles in parallel with the philosophical labours of the boy Sokrates who is on a quest to find the answer to the supreme question: 'what is goodness?'
He has been sent on this quest by the goddess Athena who is in a contest with the god Poseidon for the soul of Athens. If Poseidon wins he will destroy the city, so it is imperative that Sokrates succeeds in order to save his home city.
Athena sends Sokrates to the hermit of Nemea who lives on Mount Tretus far from Athens. Along the way Sokrates meets the shepherd Molorchus and his daughter Xanthippe who agree to help him. Sokrates builds a friendship with both characters and in particular with Xanthippe. She is an all-action girl who complements his philosophical approach to life, and they both learn from each other.

Book 2

Sokrates and the Riddler

by John Stringer

Published 5 November 2023
Characters from Greek history and mythology are reunited in this sequel to Sokrates and the Hermit, and the schoolboy Sokrates is already showing the makings of the great thinker he would become.
As the Greek Gods Athena and Poseidon battle to see who shall rule Athens, Sokrates is instructed by Athena to find the true meaning of goodness. With his trusted companions Xanthippe, Morlorchus and Pan the goat, Sokrates must summon all his powers of thought and reasoning to find the answer and challenge an evil King and a fearsome nine-headed monster – the Hydra of Lerna.