Blind judge Sir John Fielding and his protg Jeremy Proctor arrive in the seaside town of Deal to question the town magistrate, accused of complicity in illegal smuggling. But just as their investigation begins, the smugglers turn murderous. Sir John believes he and Jeremy are facing some powerful enemies who not only control Smuggler's Beach, but the law as well

Presented in the form of a dialogue between Socrates and three different interlocutors, it is an inquiry into the notion of a perfect community and the ideal individual within it. During the conversation other questions are raised: what is goodness; what is reality; what is knowledge? The Republic also addresses the purpose of education and the role of both women and men as "guardians" of the people. With remarkable lucidity and deft use of allegory,...