Fine editions of Plutarch’s Lives

Hello, I am new to this forum and was wondering if anyone here knows where I can find a fine edition of the lives by Plutarch. I have had a look at the FS set but that uses the Dryden translation, which is outdated. I was originally going to get all the Loeb editions, however they are quite small and are printed terribly. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

>1 oiajz:

If I were you I'd start by searching Abe Books for Plutarch's Lives with the name of your preferred translator as the keyword.

If you don’t want dated (and twice translated) I suppose the Limited Editions Club eight-volume set won’t please you either.:.

>1 oiajz: LEC (8v.)/ HP (2v.)?
https://georgemacyimagery.wordpress.com/2012/06/10/limited-editions-club-plutarc...

>1 oiajz: not Folio Society, but you might be interested in this conversation:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/337668

It sounds like you want a recent translation, which might have no fine or quality options. Perhaps looking at scholarly editions published 30-50 years ago might be a sweet spot (higher chance of recent translation, higher chance of decent construction quality).

Personally, I prefer the North translation due to the Shakespeare connection and broader influence it has had, whether or not it is the most true to Plutarch (who in any case was something of a gossip as I understand it).

(And my personal edition of choice for Plutarch is the LEC, though note the binding on that is very plain.)

I'm extremely happy with the 1928 Shakespeare Head edition in eight volumes, but it would probably appeal even less than the LEC to >1 oiajz: as it retains the orthography of 1579. Howard Devoto wasn't wrong, some will pay for what others pay to avoid.

>1 oiajz:

Depends on your definition. The Nonesuch Press Plutarch is great, but it's the old North translation. I would add that I used to own an early printing of the North translation (17th century) which was only slightly more expensive than the 20th century Nonesuch edition with the standard engraved title page, baroque decorations, etc. But that was before inflation ruined all that. I'm sure it's unaffordable now like everything.

The Folio Society Plutarch is my favorite, partly for the illustrations but also because I prefer the Dryden translation which is modern enough (for me).

I've noticed a ton of posts recently looking for fine editions of this or that... and of course nothing wrong with that in principle. Although, most of these seem to be just rehashing of older posts -- it's good to do a search! That said, I also noticed this:



Does make one wonder...

>9 astropi: curiouser and curiouser

>5 abysswalker:

Gossip, much like our modern historians. History books are infected with the same human element as all other writing. I'll take my chances with someone interested in compelling thought, rather than an attention seeking socialist crackpot who claims seeking power is the point of life... psychopaths have labeled many ancient historians, but we're no better. I agree with the North translation.