This book, as a standalone topic, would not be as interesting if you haven't studied Holiday's other works. The philosophy should be studied before the people who relayed it. For me, this book skimmed the lives, simply because there aren't many records going back that far. It did go into enough of these people's lives to give them color, texture, and feel for how the stoic philosophy was developed and executed (pun intended with eventual end of so many). It's a great read and well worth your time and money.