By Being, It Is: The Thesis of Parmenides offers a meticulous discussion of one of the most puzzling theses in the history of philosophy: "It is necessary to say and to think that in being, it is, for it is possible to be and nothing is not" (Parmenides, Fr. 6).

Leading scholar Néstor Luis Cordero explores new details concerning the transmission of Parmenides' Poem and the meaning of its basic thesis. After a careful inspection of manuscripts, the author proposes some attractive emendations and conjectures to the Poem's text that will indeed help to better understand Parmenides' thought.

Cordero explains Parmenides' thesis by focusing on topics such as the reconstitution of the Poem, its form and content, the allegoric presentation of the Poem's content, the grammar of the verb "to be", the fact that thought is expressed on account of being, and so forth. Some other important issues treated in this book are related to the analysis of Parmenidean doxa and the defense of the thesis that doxa is not appearance.

This is a highly challenging piece of work from a philosophical viewpoint, an outstanding model of philological work, and a contribution that causes anyone interested in philosophical matters to reflect. It is also a very well balanced combination of philological and philosophical scholarship.

This book covers a wide range of interests, and will be welcomed by philosophers in general, "Ancient philosophers" in particular, metaphysicians or students of metaphysics, and students of Classics alike.

I would say without hesitation that this book is an outstanding contribution to the field; by analyzing the evidence, the author has shed light on many dark and difficult points. His viewpoints and theses are strongly argued and the examination of the Ancient texts and the secondary bibliography display an impressive knowledge of the theme.

The edition of the Greek text of Parmenides' Poem, along with the English translation offered, will be of interest not only to philologists but also to philosophers. Cordero's thesis is original and will contribute to a better understanding of Parmenides' thought; What is more, it will generate further philosophical discussion.