Apologizing for Socrates examines some of Plato's and Xenophon's Socratic writings, specifically those that address well-known controversiese concerning the life and death of Socrates. Gabriel Danzig argues that the effort to defend Socrates from a variety of contemporary charges helps explain some of the central philosophical arguments and literary features that appear in these works. Concentrating on the two Apologies, Crito, Euthyphro, Xenophon's Symposium and Memorabilia, Lysis, and Oeconommicus, Danzig argues that the apologetic efforts were essential for rebuilding the community of Socratic friends and companions, which was devastated by the trial and death of Socrates. The Socratic writings are not merely literary or philosophical endeavors, but also political acts of great competence.

"Exciting, scholarly and partly convincing....the book should be urgent reading for all serious students of Socrates." - Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"Apologizing for Socrates: How Plato and Xenophon Created our Socrates complements such existing approaches as the assumption that Socrates adapts his argumentative style to his interlocutor or the assumption that Plato’s thinking changed during his career.... Apologizing for Socrates is well worth reading for anyone interested in the historical Socrates or the authorial agendas of Plato and Xenophon." - The Journal of Hellenic Studies