In defence of Steve Pressfield: He states very clearly in the forward that he has skewed some of the historical facts. Pressfield is not a Classical scholar. He is a historical FICTION writer. His interpretation of Alexander is as he visualizes.
Sure we historical fiction writers should try and get the real 'facts' straight, but in doing research there are often so many varying ones that the fiction writer chooses what they want to make a good story. He's a story teller, not a History professor. I enjoyed the book in particular, I enjoy Pressfield's writing style. A lot of people here have panned his "Tides of War" too and yet I am completely absorbed in it. I'm paying attention to his writing style, his 'voice', and the way he portrays the ancient characters. I'm sure when my novel hits the market there'll be just as many brick-bats thrown at it as there are compliments. That's the way is for writers. Can't please everyone, and it's certainly hard to please all the Classical Scholars. I might add, that Mr. Pressfield has been courteous and interested enough to reply to emails and give me a lot of encouragement with my own writing. For this, I have a lot of respect for the man, and admiration as a fellow writer who is not a historian, but who researchs and writes the subjects he chooses because of a sincere depth of interest.
Steven Pressfield's Research
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