The sequel to "Aristotle and Poetic Justice, " this picks up the story in the summer of 330 BC, when Athenians are feeling threatened by followers of Alexander the Great, whom they call foreigners. Aristotle must flee Athens, so he travels with young Stephanos overseas to the sacred island of Delos and as far east as Kos and Asia Minor. A colorful cast of travelers joins them on a brilliantly described voyage but only Aristotle s wisdom saves them from sea storms, conspirators and pirates. At one point the great philosopher engineers a brilliant escape from pirates by poisoning their stew and throwing octopi on their faces.It s all witty, erudite, often bloody, occasionally salacious fun.