Alexander The Great

What makes this biography different – 1. The writing style is very smooth. 2. It talks about the tactics and wars fought by Alexander. 3. It’s not boring at all. The long review - Alexander has always been an intriguing historical figure for me. Ever since I was a child, I've had a peculiar interest in knowing about alexander, but I couldn't find any books on him, which were either easy to read or aren't boring historical textbooks. This book by Philip Freeman is the one of the best accounts of Alexander ever written. The writing style is very balanced and intriguing. Most books on Alexander are boring to read and they have way too many author's opinions defining the character of Alexander as good or bad. But this book doesn't dwell on the niceness of Alexander, it doesn't state whether he's good or evil but just presents the facts and leaves it for us to decide the character of Alexander. The book presents the life of alexander in a very detailed manner, but the writing is not boring at all. The descriptions of the countries, the wars, the history, and the battle tactics of Alexander were explained in a seamless manner. Not even at one part did I find the text to be boring. The book chronicles the life of Alexander right from his birth till his mysterious death. It talks not only about all the wars he fought and all the regions he conquered but also talks about his administrative prowess and the ways he spread culture around Asia. Alexander is a man who deserves to be read and studied, because what he's accomplished, conquering most of Asia before celebrating his 30th birthday, is nothing short of astounding. And no other book captures the essence of Alexander than this book by Philip Freeman.

If you don't know anything about Alexander the great and want to know what he achieved and his chronological life, this is one of the best book to read. The language used by the author is simple and the way he narrated the story is racy. The author also talks about the contradictions of ancient sources and leave the judgment to the readers. Not only about Alexander, the author gives brief introduction to previous kings of his kingdom and the conquered lands so it pretty much covers everything you want to know about Alexander the great and what happened after his death. HIGHLY RECOMMENDABLE book

Through anecdotes and deductions from historical evidences the author has spun a tale that is not only fascinating but also gripping till the very end. That the character about whom the author decides to write is none other than the charismatic Alexander does not, in anyway, take away any credit from the writer regarding his efforts to keep the narrative spellbinding. Perspectives of different historians have been quoted with justifications making the contents of the book credible to laymen of history, like me. This is the second book about Alexander that I have read and therefore I would like to venture a bit more to add that this book sticks more to basic facts and does an exceedingly good job at optimising between presenting historical facts in the right perspective and dramatisation of the same for sake of increasing the appeal. What made this book that extra bit more interesting to me was the information about the period post Alexander's death, the break up of the Macedonian empire, the apparent views of the Romans including Julius Ceaser about Alexander and his strategies and also the establishment of the apparent connect between Alexander and the legendary Cleopatra... facts that I was not aware of.

Lucid writing. Keeps you engrossed.

The most insightful and lucidly written work of history about the man who not only envisioned a future but also executed it with sheer determination and drive.. Leaving behind an unparalleled legacy, which very few have been able to achieve. He inspired, used guile and guise, manipulated and at times persecuted his army to achieve the unachieveable .Which brings us to the question is success always moral.. I guess not as a leader u have to have the pulse of the people under you to bring out the best in them. All in all a good read.

Philip Freeman has effectively given a life history of Alwxander of Macedonia. The fact that it is written in a novel style rather than a compendium of historical facts helps an individual to go through the book pretty easily. It would be recommended to go through a more thorough book if one has to gain a deep insight into Alexander, but surely it is a book for anyone who is looking to start their journey sbout knowing him.

I'm a person who likes to read before dozing off to sleep. This book served this purpose perfectly. It is not a 600+pages exhaustive commentary on Alexander's exploits but rather an easygoing narrative. The book is written in easy language with a lot of anecdotes which make for entertaining reading. Alexander's story from his birth to his death is written in a manner for which I give full credit to Mr Freeman. The book is engrossing to say the least and will stay on my bed stand for frequent re-reads. You should buy this book if this kind of history interests you.

Excellent portrayal of the life of the great king. This is a must read for those who want to learn about the king Alexander the great. Loved the book. Awesome...

It seems to me that if Alexander somehow had access to this book during his glory days he would be very pleased. He would probably give author Philip Freeman a big box full of gold coins, for Alexander was well known for lavishing gifts on his loyal soldiers and supporters. He would likely grant Freeman high rank as court historian. Freeman's Alexander is a heroic figure, on the scale of Alexander's personal hero, Achilles. Freeman's Alexander is keenly intelligent, capable of quick, decisive action, and brave to the point of recklessness. He was also very knowledgeable. Aristotle was his tutor. Alexander himself had mastered such works as Homer's epic poems, Euripides, and Herodotus. He made it a point to carefully study anything that might help him prevail. He eagerly tapped the minds of the many experts he brought with him. He had a brilliant grasp of human nature. Alexander's soldiers, particularly his fellow Macedonians, adored him and would fight to the death for him. Unlike Achilles, he was not one to sit and pout in his tent as his soldiers died. His soldiers had often seen him lead cavalry charges at massive enemy forces, scale walls in the face of spears and arrows, kill scores of hostile soldiers on the battlefield, and suffer alongside his soldiers from exhaustion, thirst, and extremes of heat and cold. He endured the crossing of mountains, deserts, and raging rivers. He led his armies in an incredible twelve-year campaign that extended his rule from Macedonia and Greece to include the vast Persian empire and regions far beyond. He came to control, after fierce fighting, a substantial portion of India. Freeman describes many epic battles in a highly readable manner. No dry battle tactics here. Freeman has clearly mastered a vast array of sources, but feels no need to throw in arcane bits here and there. The book includes such diverse topics as Alexander's brutally ambitious mother Olympias, his beloved horse Bucephalas, and the death of Cleitus, Alexander's loyal lieutenant who had once saved him in battle. Alexander also emerges as a man who could be quite cruel, sanctioning the slaughter and enslavement of many thousands of men, women, and children associated with those who dared to defy him and made his soldiers suffer. Yet, he could be forgiving and very generous. As he extended his rule over a vast realm, he kept many Persian and other native officials in power, if they submitted to his rule. He also respected local customs and religious beliefs. There is an extensive glossary and an annotated bibliography. In large part, Freeman looked at sources such as Plutarch and Arrian, which have been thoroughly raked over before. But he builds a lively narrative that reads like an exciting adventure. I knew quite well how Alexander's quest for "world" conquest would end, but I remained enthralled to the end.

very interesting and written in an enjoyable narrative manner

Amazing read. Highly recommended a pleasure to read it does read like a novel very enjoyable so can strongly recommend.

Interesting read for history lovers

The author wrote in a way the readers can read it like a novel. I enjoyed the book and learned a lot as well.