Search for Alexander, the exhibition book
Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 4:33 pm
I found a great book on the discovery of the tomb of Vergina, entitled Search for Alexander, the exhibition. Apparently, five years after the discovery of the Tomb of Vergina, an exhibition was held in several national art museums, and this book is a compilation of all the artifacts discovered and for loan. This is not to be confused with a book by Robin Lane Fox with a similar title.Another book I found for children is in comic book form written and drawn by Rob Shone, Rosen Publishing Group. This is a very entertaining book, condensing Alexander's life to a worthwhile effort in comic book style. The cover portrait is a bit aged to my way of thinking for a children's book, but the comic sketches are all fairly youthful, looking like the famous cover on the aforementioned Search book, the exhibition.And finally, a book by Judith Tarr entitled Queen of the Amazons, a spoof on reincarnation, and it is pure fun and fantasy. However, as it is primarily a story taken from the point of view of the latter days of Alexander, it is interesting to read her versions of a charred and burned Persepolis, the beautiful summer palace at Ecbatana, and of course, the hills of Susa. This book is tongue in cheek but speaks well of Alexander. I don't think students of history will particularly like this book, but I find it a bit fun, poking fun at those who make believe that they could have been Alexander. It begins with a child who is without a soul, and naturally, I knew from the start what that would lead to as it is a foregone conclusion that the daughter of a Queen cannot remain forever without a soul. Not wishing to do anything but intrigue, the soulless child hitches herself to Alexander tighter than a tick in a dog, and you can pretty well imagine what happens next.However, I think Judith Tarr has seriously damaged her credibility with Alexanderphiles.