I Just Invented a Proverb

[amyntoros]

Yes, Heinrich, I saw the introductory chapter of Holt's book online a while ago and it's all about comparisons with modern day Afghanistan. In truth, it made me not want to buy the book, much as I love his other work. You see, when I buy a book on Alexander I want to read comments on the history, not what is going on today - that I can find in a good newspaper. There may be "lessons that we can learn" from Alexander but that's not what I'm looking for. Still, if that's what people want here then I won't comment any more if threads get political. :-)Surely it's just the introduction in Holt's book though? He doesn't go on like that for the entire book, does he? I was about to change my mind and purchase it, but now I'm not so sure. Marcus, didn't you read it recently?Best regards,Amyntoros

[marcus]

Yep, I've read Holt's book.No, he doesn't go on about the modern situation, but he does draw some parallels; he also draws parallels with the Russian invasion, and the British invasions of the 19th Century. I thought they were appropriate parallels, and he didn't do it too often (others might disagree, but that's what I thought, anyway). As it happens I *am* interested in the current situation (and the earlier ones) - had Holt used his book as a polemic against (or indeed for) the recent 'allied' invasion, I wouldn't have been happy, though; but it worked for me.If anything, the warning I would give about the book is that Holt doesn't really say anything he didn't say in "Alexander the Great and Bactria" ... so there are no new ideas in "Land of Bones".ATBMarcus

[amyntoros]

I'm not "uninterested" in what is happening in Afghanistan today (or the other invasions). I just don't particularly want to read about it in the context of a book purportedly about Alexander's travels and travails. When I read about Alexander I like to disassociate from the present and become immersed in the past - as much as is possible, anyway. The better the writer, the easier it is, and Holt's previous Bactria book certainly worked for me.Looks like I'll find out for myself about his new one after all. I did a flurry of used book buying online a couple of weeks ago and ordered about a dozen books from various sites. Seems I forgot that I'd bought a reviewer's copy of Into the Land of Bones. It arrived in the mail today! :-)Best regards,Amyntoros

[marcus]

Sorry, Linda Ann, I didn't mean to imply that you were uninterested in the current situation (or previous ones). It's just that the parallels were of particular interest to me - I can totally understand what you mean about wanting to immerse yourself in A's history/period. As I say, I wouldn't have been happy had Holt used the new book as an anti-Bush polemic, but he doesn't do that - and the number of mentions of the current invasion, the Russian invasion, or the British invasions are really few and far between, really! (Honest!)Still, you can judge for yourself, now! :-)ATBMarcus

[marcus]

Clarify: I didn't mean to imply ... but on re-reading my post I most certainly *did* imply! Soz.M