Very good - in it's own way

(I give a good book 3 stars out of 5, so 4 out of 5 means very good!)

This book isn't quite what I expected, but it is still well worth a listen.

What it's not is historical fiction in the more traditional format - the narrative moves around quite a bit, and unless you are already familiar with Alexander's battles and wider story, you'll struggle to keep pace.

But I don't think it's trying to be that type of historical fiction. What it is - and does very well - is re-create the main battles that he fought and won. Each account lasts well over an hour, really drawing the listener in to the action. The rest of the book is more like a first person diary of key moments in Alexander's life, and why he made the decisions he did. There are several speeches included - I'm not sure how closely they resemble what we already know, but they certainly felt atmospheric.

A very minor criticism would be that the narrator - whilst giving good pace to the story and keeping the listener engaged throughout - pronounced one or two names very differently to the recognised format. Perhaps there's no way of knowing how these should sound! But it did throw me a bit....

Overall, it's excellent at re-creating the military aspects of Alexander's conquests, and explaining what drove him ever further forward. Highly recommended if you are already familiar with the Alexander story.

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3 people found this helpful

Any virtue followed to its extreme becomes a vice

I came from this from Gates of Fire and really appreciate the entertaining history fiction alongside some real life events. It's a little weird he goes into so much detail about battles without any basis in history (ie the exact names, position, size and formation of units which aren't detailed anywhere).

The philosophical core that is added is intriguing contrasting knightly virtue against the reality of war and Alexander grows into almost a domestic abuser (why won't Tyre let me show my generosity, now I must hurt them) because any virtue (eg chivalry) followed to the extreme becomes a vice.

It's given me a good blueprint to read other historical accounts of Alexander although I did have to read it twice back to back as I poorly followed the Greek names and relationships the first time (although Pressfield alleviates this somewhat with nicknames).

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Brilliant

A wonderfully written and read book. An inspiration for any man seeking to change the world, or meerly to change the world within his mind.

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Thrilling

I have listened to this book over and over and over again....magnificent!

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4 people found this helpful

Grand story wonderfully written full of knowledge

The way Alexander tells his story from his point of view through Steven Pressfield's talented writing brings you back to that time. I am now more than ever interested in all the events of that time, and how those have formed the western society and philosophy of which we build upon today. This is a book I will return to, and one that honors its title, as it is filled with principles and virtues one can learn from and apply to today's life. There is much knowledge and psychology intertwined in the story and its characters. Characters I have grown affection and respect for.
I look forward to reading and learning from other books by Steven. Thank you.

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simply superb

steven knocks it out the park again and the narrator proves excellent at conveying the various emotions of alexander whether wrath ambition pride magnanimity etc. Definitely recommend.

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Hugely insightful and thought provoking.

Strangely written in the present tense, the events of which have to be imagined in the past tense; a curious choice. But such is the insightful empathy of the author for the subject matter, that it actually matters not. The ending is beautifully imagined and poignant.
The narration was very good indeed, near faultless. My only quibble, and it is only a quibble, is that it did not sound like the voice of a young man from the provinces, albeit an immensely educated one.
A must listen for all gamers of war and anyone interested in ancient history and philosophy: Mick the Hick

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