Well, whether it is a respected work or not, the first part is just 3 men sitting around discussing the problems of the time. It really is almost painful to read at this part. But the 2nd part does improve, but all it is is a giant, detailed description of a perfect society that in my opinion would never work because perfect societies come from perfect people, which people are not. So if your looking for a plot, storyline, or protagonist, DO NOT READ!!!!- 15 year old AP European History student