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 Excellent yet brief historiography of the West's greatest conqueror October 25, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Paul Cartledge is one of the deans of the historians of the ancient world. He is one of the leading experts - perhaps the leading expert - on the Spartans, and his work both with the written word and PBS has advanced the field of history.
So it was with great anticipation that I dove into Cartledge's book, "Alexander the Great." Alexander may have had more books written about him than any historical figure from antiquity, save perhaps Julius Caesar. This guy has been analyzed from a variety of different perspectives by incredibly talented historians. So what is Cartledge's angle, and how does it fit into the existing bibliography?
First, you have to understand that Cartledge has not written a strict chronological work of history, but rather one that is thematic. Accordingly, this is not the best book to start with if you're just diving into Alexander the Great's world for the first time. Chapters focus on the divinity of Alexander, or his generalship, or his legacies, etc. Cartledge's main focus is to analyze what kind of man Alexander was - just why in the heck did he take the Macedonian army all the way to India, and where would he have ultimately gone if the army hadn't revolted?
Cartledge has also written a historiography of Alexander. Much of the book is given to sifting other sources for accuracy, past bias, and the comparative merits of past works. Again, this makes the book easier to read if you are well-grounded in the field of Alexander. Full disclosure - I studied Alexander and his campaigns in college. I would imagine that if this was your first book on Alexander, you'd wonder why there was such a fuss over the guy because Cartledge is not interested in explaining the Battle of Issus in any great detail or explaining his new theory of how Alexander won at Gaugamela.
But that does not mean that this isn't an important book. Cartledge ultimately decides that Alexander was not motivated by political concerns ("Let's Hellenize those eastern folks!") or a desire to become a god on earth. For Cartledge, Alexander was a thrill-seeking hunter whose greatest joy came from conquest. And he would drive to the ends of the earth to sate his lust for battle.
In addition to 260-plus pages of excellent writing (although it is quite high-brow and littered with British references that I didn't quite get, such as comparing Alexander to a notorious British general who had, shall we say, strikingly unusual hygiene habits), Cartledge includes a detailed glossary, dramatis personae, and most helpfully, an annotated bibliography where he gives his two cents about many of the other sources.
All in all, this is an excellent addition to the library of any historian of the ancient world - professional or amateur. But if you are seeking to put your first toe into the waters of Alexander, you should probably start somewhere else.
 Alexander June 3, 2007
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
Alexander. After 2,328 years who else can be identified by a single name, without a title, and still be almost universally known? Often beloved, or at least highly respected, in the west, almost universally despised in much of the east, very few with knowledge of Alexander have no feelings one way or the other.
Over the years I have read almost every book reasonably available about this remarkable man. Some of these books are highly informative but ponderous in the extreme. Some treat Alexander as the untarnished hero, the darling of the west, while others treat him as a villain and a drunk, unworthy of praise.
It is up to each person to decide who Alexander was or is, but Mr. Cartledge has produced a well-written book, informative, without bias or agenda. It has excellent detail without dragging the reader into the minutea which is of interest only to the professional historian. His discussion covers the noble and the base about this man, who is, unarguably, one of the most important persons in the history of the western and middle-eastern worlds.
Bob
Read This First October 26, 2006
21 out of 23 found this review helpful
Being a history addict and a Soldier has led me to read everything printed in english on Alexander the Great (nuministic and logistical books included). Some biographers depict him as a shining idealized soldier-king, while others as a drunken despot on a self delusional path to deification. Cartledge balances the historical record with fresh interpretations of events and a common sense test of putting the reader in Alexander's shoes at the moment of each event. This leads to a connection with the man and an understanding of his actions that lacks in most biographies of Alexander. The answer, it seems, is that Alexander was a man like any other before and since; brilliant and flawed, just like the rest of us. If you are going to read your first book on Alexander, or only one book ever, this is the one to pick up.
Good Biography October 3, 2006
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I enjoyed reading "Alexander the Great" by Paul Cartledge, Greek History Professor at Cambridge University. Alexander the Great is among (if not) the greatest soldier in recorded history He achieved stunning military and political success in his short life. The book is structured thematically, which I found interesting and has good illustrations of battle lines, maps, glossary, bibliography, among other things.
The author methodically explores the various fascinating aspects of the brilliant and visionary Alexander the great including his leadership style, his divinity, his conquests and how he related to the various countries that he conquered.
After reading this book, I recommend that you also read "Alexander the Great's Art of Strategy". It is a thoughtful and perceptive book that is a joy to read. Another excellent biography of Alexander the great is "The Nature of Alexander" by Mary Renault.
I recommend "Alexander the Great" to anybody that needs to understand the life and times of Alexander the Great as well as his numerous achievements.
What the movie doesn't tell you... September 6, 2006
0 out of 6 found this review helpful
An overview of the military conquests of Alexander the Great whose campaigns spread the influence of Greek culture into modern civilization. This is more of the story that wasn't shown in the 2004 movie. Once you learn more of the real Alexander you will truly wonder why Colin Farrell was cast as him.
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