Stoic Reading
Military Stoic Reading List Curated with descriptions written by Dr. Franklin Annis
The reading list below is intended to help guide military members on the self-study of the Stoic philosophy. This list is not intended to be comprehensive but merely a solid listing of resources. Service members will likely to able to identify Stoic themes in other military sources and academic texts after reading just a few of the recommendations below.
Archetypal Stories
One of the easiest ways to understand a philosophy is in story form. On the left is a list of archetypal stories listed in ease of read of modern audiences
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The Martian is a modern retelling of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. In this story, astronaut Mark Watney faces a number of challenges in surviving on Mars and ultimately reuniting with a spacecraft that can transport him home. While Defoe focuses on the use of reason, Weir will use the term science to carry equivalent meaning. Many may know of this book by the 2015 movie of the same name staring Matt Damon and directed by Ridley Scott.
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Multiple philosophers have noted the Stoic influence, especially in the early books, of the Harry Potter series. Edmund M. Kern, professor of history at Lawrence University in Wisconsin asserted that Harry Potter series, ''might just comprise the most visible contribution to Stoicism's re-emergence as a viable, practical philosophy offering comfort and guidance in these uncertain times.''1 Even though this book series based some censorship from Christian communities, many NeoStoic themes and traits can be seen within the characters of this story.
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Tolkien’s the Lord of the Rings series display multiple features of Stoic philosophy from the dichotomy of control to the focus on optimism in the face of overwhelming odds (what the military community would refer to as the “Stockdale Paradox”). Characters like Aragorn and Gandalf serve as powerful archetypal leaders. Readers should remember that Tolkien was a WWI infantry officer that experienced the Battle of the Somme. While traces of Tolkien’s military experiences are incorporated into this story, the Lord of the Rings trilogy ultimately demonstrates that military veterans of even extreme campaigns can endure their experiences with the correct philosophy while retaining hope and optimism for the future.
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Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe trilogy is likely the finest example of a NeoStoic archetypal story. It is recommended that the first two books of the series (The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years, all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but himself. With An Account how he was at last as strangely deliver'd by Pyrates. Written by Himself and The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe) to understand the complete story. The third book of the series (Serious Reflections during the Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe: With his Vision of the Angelick World) is written like traditional theology that references the story for purposes of example. When reading this book, it is important to remember that this was one of the most popular adventure books of the 18th and 19th century. Generations of Americans, including the Founding Fathers, would have been exposed to this story. This book was frequently used to help children learn how to read with Captain Alden Partridge, of Norwich University, using Spanish translations of Robinson Crusoe to help instruct his students in a foreign language. While multiple movie adaptions have been made of this book, none capture the full philosophical monologue within the book and therefore are not recommended as a substitute to reading. (Free audiobooks of the first two books of this series can be found on librivox.org). Click here
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The Aeneid recounts the legendary founding of Rome as Aeneas and the remaining Trojans finds themselves in need of a new homeland after the fall of Troy. This work of poetry was used to instruct students in Latin and teach civic responsibility well into the 20th century. Historically, the majority American military officers would have been exposed to this work in its original Latin. (Free audiobook is available on Librivox.org). Click here.
Primary Sources
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While Xenophon, technically predates the Stoic philosophy, many of his works carry protoStoic themes and it his Apology (account of the trial of Socrates) that is believed to have inspired Zeno of Citium to found Stoicism. Many of Xenophon’s work carry value for the military reader. His Anabasis recounts the fighting retreat of a Greek mercenary army out of Persia after the death of Cyrus the Great. This work is notable for its accurate descriptions of battles and the rousing motivational speeches. The exciting tale of the Anabasis was used for generations to teach Ancient Greek. Many famous American military officers would have been well-versed in this story. Cyropaedia (Education of Cyrus) is also a valuable text in terms of leadership theory. Xenophon’s Socratic dialogues (Apology, Memorabilia, Symposium, and Oeconomicus) are worth the time to read and present Socrates in a slightly different light than the accounts of Plato. Xenophon accounted for the political theories of the time recording the Constitution of the Athenians and the Polity of the Lacedaemonians (Spartans). The Hellenica is an important source of history of the last years of the Peloponnesian War, picking up were Thucydides left off. Of Xenophon’s lesser treatises, On Horsemanship is highly praised by members of the Stoic community (including by Jock Hutchinson of who founded the natural Stoic-based charity HorseBack UK). (Many of Xenophon’s works can be found in free audiobook form on Librivox.org). Click here.
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Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a wealthy Stoic philosophy that became the tutor of Emperor Nero. Seneca’s influence was created to the good governance experienced in the early Nero reign. However, Seneca eventually lost his influence on Nero and Rome descended into chaos. Seneca was forced to take his own life after being accused of participating in a conspiracy to assassinate Nero. Seneca wrote a number of Stoic essays and letters. Seneca’s Letters from a Stoic are highly recommended along with his essay On the Shortness of Life. (Many of Seneca’s works can be found in free audiobook form on Librivox.org). Click here.
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Epictetus was a crippled slave that learned Stoic philosophy under the instruction of Musonius Rufus. The pupil Arrian captured the speeches of Epictetus compiling them into The Discources and The Enchiridion (handbook). Both of these works are highly recommended and influential in history. The works of Epictetus pair well with Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot by James Stockdale, who used Epictetus’ philosophy to survive multiple years as a prisoner of war. (The works of Epictetus can be found in free audiobook form on Librivox.org). Click here.
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Marcus Aurelius was literally the most powerful man in the “known world” when he penned The Meditations. Succeeding Roman Emperor Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius reigned from 161 to 180 and is recounted as the last of the “Five Good Emperors” of Rome. The Meditations is essentially a collection of personal reflections about philosophy and life written by Aurelius while directing the Roman army during the Marcomannic Wars. There is some debate if these writings were ever intended to be shared or if Aurelius would have wanted them destroyed. In either case, history remembers this work as one of the most powerful Stoic texts. While this book can be read independently, those new to Stoic philosophy may find it best to read either How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson or The Inner Citadel by Pierre Hadot in tandem with The Meditation. (The Meditations can be found in free audiobook form on Librivox.org). Click here.
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Justus Lipsius was a Flemish humanist credited with creating the NeoStoic movement. He integrated the works of Seneca and Tacitus into Christian theology, defaulting to the Christian ideas in areas of conflict. He is best known for his De Constantia Libri Duo (Two Books of Constancy). An English translation of this work, Justus Lipsius on Constancy was published by the University of Exeter Press with intro/notes by John Sellars. Also produced a number of other works on politics and military history including Politica, Monita et Exempla Politica (Admonitions), De Militaria Romana. Lipsius’ work had tremendous impacts on the political and military reforms of the early modern era.
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Hugo Grotius played a critical role in establishing international law, including the conduct of warfare. Built within a NeoStoic framework and first published in 1625, On the Law of War and Peace evaluates the nature of warfare, just causes for war, and proposed restrictions on the conduct of warfare to be followed by all parties. (A translation by Francis Kelsey is available for free on Google Books).
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Complied and published by Marie von Brühl after the death of Carl von Clausewitz, On War would have a major impact of strategic theory from the 19th century to present. According to Gerhard Oestreich, this work heavily influence by NeoStoic philosophy and political theory. (Portions of this book can be found in free audiobook form on Librivox.org). Click here.
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Captain Alden Partridge was the 3rd Superintendent of the United States Military Academy and founder of Norwich University. He is likely one of America’s greatest educational theorist with the land-grant colleges largely owing their existence to his efforts. A few of his theories would be used to create the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), the largest commissioning source for the U.S. Military. In the early 1820s, he wrote a Lecture on Education in which he lays out the faults of the contemporary college system. While Partridge doesn’t specifically reference Stoicism within this text, he draws on many Stoic themes in the creation of his curriculum including the careful use of time and Stoic toughening training. (A copy of this lecture is available for free on Google Books). Click here.
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Ralph Waldo Emerson was one of, if not the greatest, American philosopher. He is credited in leading the Transcendentalist movement. Emerson’s abolitionist work and support for John Brown helped to spark the American Civil War. His works were deeply impacted by Stoic philosophy with Emerson frequently referencing Antoninus (Marcus Aurelius). Emerson wrote numerous essays and gave frequent lectures. Among his most notable works is the essay SelfReliance. The lecture The Man of Letters is also highly recommended as it explicitly calls for all American scholars to be taught both Stoic philosophy and military training. Written during the American Civil War, it is believed that Emerson may have been heavily influenced by the educational theories of Captain Alden Partridge with a recent visit to the United States Military Academy being recorded within this lecture. (Some of Emerson’s work are available in free audiobook form on Librivox.org). Click here.
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Thomas Wentworth Higginson was a Unitarian minister and abolitionist. He was a member of the “Secret Six” that funded John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry. During the American Civil War, he would go on to command the first Union regiment composed of freed slaves. Higginson records his experiences with the First South Carolina Volunteers including his leadership philosophy and approach to equal opportunity in the work Army Life in a Black Regiment. The philosophy he presents in this work could still be used today. It is undoubtable that Higginson was influenced by Stoic philosophy first by being an understudy of Emerson and immediately after the war translating the Works of Epictetus. (Army Life in a Black Regiment is available in free audiobook form on Librivox.org. Wentworth’s Works of Epictetus (1865) is available on Google Books). Click here.
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Victor Frankl spent three years imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps. As a trained psychiatrist prior to the war, Frankl witnessed firsthand the how the interpretation of one’s surrounding could contribute to survival or perishing in this extreme situation. This led Frankl to develop Logotheraphy. While Frankl never claimed to be a Stoic, many aspects of Logotheraphy parallel Stoic principles.
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Lester Tenney was captured by the Japanese Imperial Forces during WWII. He experienced the brutality of the Bataan Death March and 3 ½ years of captivity as a prisoner of war. While Tenney was not a Stoic by training or education, many of the lessons he recounts within this book mirror the teaching of Ancient Stoicism.
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Vice Admiral James Bond “Jim” Stockdale was a naval aviator during the Vietnam War. His A-4 Skyhawk was shot down on 9 September 1965 leading to Stockdale becoming a prisoner of war held and the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” Hỏa Lò Prison. He was held for 7 ½ years before his release. Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot is a collections of essays and lectures by Stockdale including those that recall how he employed Stoic philosophy (Epictetus) to help him endure torture and imprisonment. After the war, it was found that prisoners that were exposed to Stockdale had lower rates of lifetime Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that the average American veteran of the conflict due to the positive influence of Stoic philosophy.
Secondary Sources
Readers should use caution when engaging with secondary sources. It is unfortunate the not all authors in the current Modern Stoicism movement accurately represent the underlying assumptions of Ancient Stoic philosophy. In many cases, modern scholars may use elements of Ancient Stoicism to justify modern ideologies or view Ancient Stoic philosophy through ideologically biased lenses (This may include substituting 19th-21st century ideas into the philosophy without clearly stating the author’s manipulation or making false claims such as Stoicism is incompatible with military service). Below are a list of recommended secondary sources generally free from ideological bias.
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The work of the noted historian Pierre Hadot, The Inner Citadel, provides a contemporary analysis of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. This text is a useful introduction to Stoic philosophy. For obvious reasons, this would be a good text to read just prior to reading the Meditations.
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William Irvine, Professor emeritus, provides a useful introductory book to Stoicism with his The Stoic Challenge. Irvine draws quotes from the Ancient Stoics while providing modern examples and practical suggestions on how Stoic philosophy might be applied. This is an excellent work for someone first exploring Stoic philosophy.
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Gerhard Oestrich explains the evolution and influence of NeoStoic philosophy from the sixteenth century through the Age of Revolution in the work NeoStoicism & the Early Modern State. This book is useful in explain the philosophy and its impacts on war, internal law, and the creation of modern national states. This text is useful for military readers to come to a better understanding of the philosophical base of the “Western way of war” and how this philosophy impacted and continues to impact the conduct of warfare and international relations. Given that military leaders are often not exposed to the larger philosophical schools, this work may assist in further framing and understanding the context of the highly studied 19th century military thinkers such as Carl von Clausewitz, Frederick the Great, etc, that are typically reviewed within military professional education curriculum.
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Donald Robertson is a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist that has written a number of important works on Stoicism. How to Think like a Roman Emperor examines the philosophy within and the events surrounding Marcus Aurelius’ The Meditations. This work is a useful introduction to Stoic philosophy that may be uniquely beneficial to the military audience as it captures the Roman military action that Aurelius was directing while The Meditations was being composed. Additionally, Robertson’s The Philosophy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Stoic Philosophy as Rational and Cognitive Psychotheraphy is highly recommended. In this work, Robertson further examines the influence of Stoic philosophy on modern psychology including the development of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
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Goodman and Soni work Rome’s Last Citizen recall the events of the fall of the Roman Republic including the action of Marcus Porcius Cato the Younger and how this story would shape the founding of the American Republic through Joseph Addison’s play Cato, a Tragedy. This is a great work that details how the American Founding Fathers were influenced by Stoic philosophy.
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Available on Medium.com, or click here, this article records the Stoic toughening practices introduced by Captain Alden Partridge during the early years of the United States Military Academy. While many Stoic toughening exercises are still employed within the U.S. Military, the purpose and intent of inducing physical and mental discomfort are not always understood by participants. This article records some of the history of Stoic toughening training within the U.S. Military and the continued importance in engaging in these activities.
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Robert Harris recorded the life of Marcus Tullius Cicero with a work of historical fiction. The Trilogy (Imperium, Lustrum, Dictator) are told through the perspective of Marcus Tullius Tiro, Cicero’s slave and personal scribe. This compelling novel series provides the history of famous Stoics, such as Cato the Younger, during the fall of the Roman Republic. Those beginning their studies into Stoic philosophy may find this trilogy to be an easier introduction to the fall of the Roman Republic than directly reading primary sources (such as Plutarch).
Stoic Poetry
The Hymn to Zeus by Cleanthes is the only “true” Stoic poet with the list below. However, Stoic themes are often noticed within the various poems on this list.