Alexander the Great: Son of the Gods

by Alan Fildes and Joann Fletcher

Book Overview

Famous for more than two millennia for the amazing deeds that he accomplished in his short life of thirty-two years, King Alexander III of Macedon is the most celebrated figure of classical antiquity.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892366788
• ISBN13: 9780892366781
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 1.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 10.3" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

All the Salient Points

I gave this book 5 stars for it's concise approach, beautiful photographs, and chronological narrative that gives even a complete Greek historical novice a valuable insight into this incredible man. I found the book very easy to read, absorbing, and never felt weighed down with pages and pages of ancient descriptive text. If you want to find out about Alexander, this book is by no means an all encompassing reference but it does give you the chief salient points, as a companion to the movie, or a documentary you may have watched, and makes for fascinating reading. As you try and imagine yourself in 340BC, just stop and think as you read, and the exploits and achievements made by Alexander and his army have probably never been equaled to this day. Another thing I love about this book, is a lot of map referencing. It's easy to wax on about Sogdia and Sewa without knowing where there are on a map today, seeing the geography of today in comparison, only widens the sense of wonder, but does help put the history in even more perspective. Highly recommended book. 5 Stars

Fascinating

I found this book to be a little like a text book. Yet after having my DNA done it was most relative to me. I found Alexander to be an incredible human being. Everything in this book is worth reading,,it is spellbinding even if it only touches the surface of his life. The information given the most relevant,his crusades and family. If you saw the movie about him it will be more enjoyable. Records were kept of him from infancy to conversations with his soldiers, to Aristotle. He was a brilliant tactician and a warrior his soldiers followed to the end. He mesmerized his enemies and people around him. His belief that he was the son of Zeus created his own belief in the divine. This book shows the true strength of Alexander, such a book is well worth the read.

Sumptuous, measured, comprehensive, and concise

Two classical scholars have collaborated, using the resources of the Getty Museum of Los Angeles, to provide in a short compass a stunning presentation of the present state of knowledge of the life and times of the greatest general in the history of the world. Full-color illustrations, with informative identifications, accompany every page. The treatment of sources is short but exemplary: the reader is informed to what extent sources disagree and who wrote them. Most impressively the archeological work of the last few decades is incorporated into the traditional story seamlessly and with great authority. It is unfortunate that the maps are by no means adequate to convey the meaning of the text: places, provinces, battlefields are mentioned and described but absent from the rudimentary maps. The reference value of this beautiful work of art is enough to justify its purchase.

A Best Seller

This is a fantastic book and certain gives a valuable insite into Alexander the Great and Ancient Greece. You can tell from the level of detail within the book that the authors have tried to give the read as much information about Alexander and his life as one of the worlds greatest conquers.A must read!!

Alexander -- A Soldier's Soldier

Alexander was, first and foremost, a soldier's soldier. No armchair general, he; he led from the front, and this during an age of warfare when being "in front" was hazardous in the extreme. He was, of course, a brilliant strategist and tactician, but he never forgot his soldiers who carried the fight to his enemy. When they were on campaign, he shared their lot -- food, quarters, hardships, and all -- entirely. And, for this, they gave him their undying loyalty. Discipline, courage, fortitude, vision -- these, and many more -- are the characteristics that made Alexander III truly great.This book captures the sense of Alexander, his relationships and his achievements extremely well. Never ponderous, it nevertheless completely describes his singular achievements. This is also a very "visual" reading experience. The illustrations, maps and photographs complement the reading and enhance the reader's understanding very well. This is a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.