The Boys' and Girls' Plutarch: Being Parts of the "lives" of Plutarch, Edited for Boys and Girls
1683
Plutarch's "Lives" shaped how Western civilization understands heroism for two millennia. This edition, carefully adapted for young readers in the late 19th century, preserves the moral urgency of the original while opening the door to ancient Greece and Rome. The collection begins with Theseus, the legendary founder of Athens, following his journey from youth to legend: the battles with robbers and villains, the cunning versus brute force, the choices between mercy and vengeance that defined a hero. Each life distilled centuries of Greek and Roman history into vivid moral drama, teaching readers what it meant to live courageously, lead wisely, and die well. These stories of generals, kings, philosophers, and rebels have inspired everyone from Shakespeare to American founders. For modern readers, this edition offers something rare: unapologetic moral instruction wrapped in gripping narrative, ancient wisdom made accessible without patronizing its audience. It is for the young person who loves a good story and suspects that virtue might actually matter.
