Books on Alexander

[aretzios]

There is really no ideal biography book on Alexander but a synthesis between the texts by Lane Fox and Peter Green is probably the best. Cartlege's text is very weak and adds very little.Fox's work re-appraises correctly the historical information (although he reaches diametrically opposite conclusions than Hammond in a variety of cases, such as the battle of Granikus). Peter Green's book adds a lot of the political infighting within the Macedonian ranks and the extreme hatred that Alexander engendered among some of his senior officers, who may have murdered him.

[ruthaki]

I just picked up "Alexander the Great" by Nick McCarty which is a nice book for students or those just getting interested in Alexander. Mainly for the beautiful pictures and reasonable simply text. I haven't read it thoroughly as yet but did note a couple of inaccuracies in information, though nothing vital.

[Leonie]

It is indeed very difficult to find A good book about Alexander. For those who not want to dig in dry history books like Plutach's Lives or Arrian's account, why don't you try Mary Renault books: 'Fire from Heaven'; 'The Persian Boy'; and finally 'Alexander's Nature'. They give a captivating and lively view of Alexander's daily life set against the background of his time.

[Leonie]

It is indeed very difficult to find A good book about Alexander. For those who not want to dig in dry history books like Plutach's Lives or Arrian's account, why don't you try Mary Renault books: 'Fire from Heaven'; 'The Persian Boy'; and finally 'Alexander's Nature'. They give a captivating and lively view of Alexander's daily life set against the background of his time.

[Leonie]

It is indeed very difficult to find A good book about Alexander. For those who not want to dig in dry history books like Plutach's Lives or Arrian's account, why don't you try Mary Renault books: 'Fire from Heaven'; 'The Persian Boy'; and finally 'Alexander's Nature'. They give a captivating and lively view of Alexander's daily life set against the background of his time.

[Leonie]

It is indeed very difficult to find A good book about Alexander. For those who not want to dig in dry history books like Plutach's Lives or Arrian's account, why don't you try Mary Renault books: 'Fire from Heaven'; 'The Persian Boy'; and finally 'Alexander's Nature'. They give a captivating and lively view of Alexander's daily life set against the background of his time.

[marcus]

Blimey. I don't know how anyone could call Plutarch 'dry'. (Or Arrian, for that matter, but especially Plutarch)Horses for courses, I suppose.All the bestMarcus

[ruthaki]

Yes Renault's books are fascinating, especially "Fire From Heaven", but remember they are 'fiction' based on history.
I found "Funeral Games" terribly disappointing but I believe it was her last, before she died.
"The Nature of Alexander" is also a good one.
It still think reading the ancient historians such as Plutarch are your best bet for actual history but as I'm a historical-fiction writer myself I totally love Renault's writing and have ALL her books going back to her very first publication in the '30's.