Sokrates and the Hermit is an amusing and energetic introduction to real life characters from Greek history as well as fictional characters from Greek mythology, notably Herakles, the greatest of the Greek heros. This is the first book on a series loosely based on the classical twelve labours of Herakles and it combines the physical adventures of Herakles in parallel with the philosophical labours of the boy Sokrates who is on a quest to find the answer to the supreme question: 'what is goodness?'

He has been sent on this quest by the goddess Athena who is in a contest with the god Poseidon for the soul of Athens. If Poseidon wins he will destroy the city, so it is imperative that Sokrates succeeds in order to save his home city.

Athena sends Sokrates to the hermit of Nemea who lives on Mount Tretus far from Athens. Along the way Sokrates meets the shepherd Molorchus and his daughter Xanthippe who agree to help him. Sokrates builds a friendship with both characters and in particular with Xanthippe. She is an all-action girl who complements his philosophical approach to life, and they both learn from each other.