From the prospective of an undergrad this is definitely a new way of looking a Socrates. I'm not sure I agree or am qualified to disagree with a lot of what is said but it is very different from my preconceptions on the subject. Contra the party line about Socrates and what he stood for, McPherran presents evidence for an extra-rational Socrates. Understandably this tweaks those who hold S to be the champion of reason and self doubt in the face of mysticism (me, before this book). What was of most value to me was that McPherran shows how this is not really an either or proposition. The Socrates of this book cannot be simply placed on one side or the other of the religion v. reason debate. Good reading for anyone that is interested in the life of Socrates.