How to Think about God: An Ancient Guide for Believers and Nonbelievers

by Marcus Tullius Cicero
How to Think about God: An Ancient Guide for Believers and Nonbelievers cover
Good Books rating 4.05
Philosophy
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Hardback • £14.99
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  • ID: 4876
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780691197449
  • Publisher: Princeton University Press
  • Published: 2019-11-05
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

How to Think about God presents a vivid and accessible new translation of Cicero's influential works on the Stoic idea of the divine. In a world overflowing with gods, the Stoics offered a unique perspective on religion, divinity, and human immortality. This book features translations of On the Nature of the Gods and The Dream of Scipio, revealing the Stoic view of the universe as a materialistic yet continuous and living whole, where both the gods and a supreme God are essential elements. These works have profoundly shaped Christian and non-Christian thought for over two thousand years, influencing luminaries like Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Dante, and Thomas Jefferson. /n/n Featuring an introduction, suggestions for further reading, and the original Latin on facing pages, How to Think about God is a compelling guide to the Stoic view of the divine. It offers eloquent expression to the religious ideas of one of the most popular schools of Roman and Greek philosophy, making it a must-read for those interested in the intersection of philosophy and religion.

Reviews
jstor.org · Unknown · 2025-10-22
intriguing 3.00

The reviewer found 'Like Water For Chocolate' by Laura Esquivel to be a sumptuous and intriguing novel with a unique structure of monthly chapters. However, they felt the food descriptions and cooking scenes slowed down the plot's pacing, and the abrupt ending left them confused. The romance between Tita and Pedro was decently executed but marred by infidelity and a poorly resolved love triangle. The characters were interesting, with Tita being the most well-developed, while others felt flat and one-dimensional.

The reviewer enjoyed 'Like Water For Chocolate' for its unique structure and sumptuous descriptions, but found the food scenes to be a bit distracting from the main plot. The novel's pacing felt slow despite its short length, and the abrupt ending left the reviewer confused about the fate of the main characters. The romance between Tita and Pedro was decently executed, but the reviewer had issues with the infidelity plotline and the poorly resolved love triangle. Tita was the most well-developed character, while others felt flat and one-dimensional. Overall, the reviewer rated the book 3 out of 5 stars, recommending it to those interested in food-related descriptions and complex romances, but cautioning those sensitive to domestic abuse and abrupt endings.

Quick quotes

    Each of the book’s twelve chapters represents a month, but the action takes place over a number of years in the actual story.

    However, I do think that the recipes got a bit in the way of reading the main story overall.

    The characters were interesting to an extent. I loved Tita’s development and struggle with trying to have a life lived for herself, rather than the expectations of her family (especially her abusive mother) and the overall community she lives in.

abebooks.com · Unknown · 2025-10-22
delightful 4.50

The reviewer enjoyed the book, finding it unique and appealing on many levels. The story is a love story, a fairy tale, and a cookbook, with lush descriptions of food and magical elements that add to its charm. The relationship between the main characters is intense and sincere, making the book a delightful read.

The reviewer was pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoyed the book, even though they already knew the story from the movie. The novel is set in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and follows the life of Tita, the youngest daughter of Mama Elena De la Garza. The story is divided into 12 chapters, each representing a month, a recipe, and a significant event in Tita's life. The reviewer found the relationship between Tita and Pedro to be sad, sincere, and intense. The descriptions of food and meals are lush and sensual, and the magical elements of the story add to its appeal. The reviewer appreciated the unique blend of love story, fairy tale, and cookbook, making the book a delightful and engaging read.

Quick quotes

    The novel takes place in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution. It is divided into 12 chapters, each representing a month, a recipe and a significant event in the life of Tita, the youngest daughter of Mama Elena De la Garza.

    The author uses the pleasures of food, meal preparation and eating a meal as metaphors for love and life and passion.

    With Like Water for Chocolate Laura Esquivel has created a unique story that is appealing on many levels. It is a love story, a fairy tale and a cookbook.

Figs in Wintertime · Massimo Pigliucci · 2021-11-01
thoughtful 4.20

Massimo Pigliucci delves into the book's exploration of Cicero's Stoic views on belief and divinity, praising its eloquent expression of religious ideas. He finds the book to be a thoughtful and insightful guide.

Massimo Pigliucci's review delves into the book's exploration of Cicero's Stoic views on belief and divinity, highlighting its eloquent expression of religious ideas. He finds the book to be a thoughtful and insightful guide that offers a nuanced perspective on the divine. Pigliucci appreciates the book's ability to bridge ancient philosophy with contemporary spiritual discussions, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in exploring the deeper aspects of belief and divinity.

Quick quotes

    Based on How to Think about God: An Ancient Guide for Believers and Nonbelievers, by Cicero, translated by Philip Freeman.

    The book offers a Stoic view of belief, divinity, and human immortality, giving eloquent expression to the religious ideas.

    It's a thoughtful and insightful guide that offers a nuanced perspective on the divine.

bmcr.brynmawr.edu · Unknown · 2020-09-20
charming 4.50

The reviewer found the book to be a charming and magical tale with a unique blend of romance, wit, and magical realism. They appreciated the earthy and poignant storytelling, as well as the exploration of family dynamics and traditions.

The reviewer was captivated by the earthy, magical, and charming narrative of the book. They found the blend of poignant romance and bittersweet wit to be particularly appealing. The story's exploration of family life in turn-of-the-century Mexico, with its unique magical realism elements, was highly praised. The reviewer also appreciated the novel's focus on the De La Garza family and the unconventional love story between Tita and Pedro. The magical elements, such as the food that reflects emotions, added a layer of intrigue and wonder to the story. Overall, the reviewer found the book to be a delightful and enchanting read that beautifully combines romance, magic, and cultural insights.

Quick quotes

    Earthy, magical, and utterly charming, this tale of family life in turn-of-the-century Mexico became a best-selling phenomenon with its winning blend of poignant romance and bittersweet wit.

    A sumptuous feast of a novel, it relates the bizarre history of the all-female De La Garza family.

    The magical elements, such as the food that reflects emotions, added a layer of intrigue and wonder to the story.

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