Rating: 
Summary: A fine character study of Alexander the Great
Review: After seeing the excruciatingly tedious and mangled film about Alexander the Great by Oliver Stone recently, I decided to find a biography that would better capture the character and achievements of the man. Many years ago, I read Mary Renault's wonderful novel, The King Must Die, so when I found this biographical study (written in 1975), it was a "no-brainer" to read it.
In it, Renault examined the writings about Alexander, much of it by his comrades and by historians who lived a relatively short time after he did (and who had access to primary sources in ancient libraries). When the writers were in conflict about his actions and motives, Renault followed the path that is most logical. For example, she dismissed much of the negative writings about Alexander as propaganda, which was disseminated by the tyrannical Athenian Demosthenes, but also by Alexander's generals after his death. It is a studious and thoughtful approach.
We get a good sense of the man, who became king at 20, but was a leader in battle as a teenager (under his father, Phillip). Renault clearly had a high opinion of Alexander, but did not neglect to relate to us instances of misjudgment and cruelty by him. She also gave us the facts--as best she could--about the momentous battles against the Persians, Indians, and others, as well as his feats in building cities and gaining the support of different ethnic groups.
I have not read her three novels about Alexander. Frankly, I do not have the time right now, but I am satisfied that this 265-page, non-fiction work has given me a good understanding of this influential leader. My few criticisms are that it was a bit hard to "get into" the book at first, that his father, Philip, is not given enough credit for building up the army, and that there are no maps of Alexander's long journey. However, I still can recommend Renault's book, which is enlightening and interesting, in general.
Rating:
Summary: The Nature of Alexander
Review: Fascinating, even if his fame is known. Produces thoughts on the nature of greatness, the power of personality, the value of allowing others to keep their dignity and mores, and the
amazing accomplishments that a human being is capable of when personality, nature, opportunity and ability are conjoined. Most currently useful quote (Kipling): When you're wounded an' left on Afghanistan's plains,
An' the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle an' blow out your brains...
Rating: 
Summary: The best explanation on Alexander The Great's character
Review: How does one begin to understand the nature of one of the most famous figures in world history? What is the reason for the enduring fame of this western conquerer in Asia and the rest of the world? Who is Alexander The Great?Read Mary Renault's The Nature Of Alexander. Mary Renaultdoes more to explain Alexander and the reasons for whathe did in her book than all the scholars in their academicworks. And she does it very entertainingly too.You'd think you're reading another of her historical romances butthis one is true. Anyone who is remotely interested inancient Greece and Alexander in particular should makethis a must-read item in their booklist. This book also comes with a brief chronology of Macedoniankings. The opening chapter of this book is unforgetabble -- it tells of Alexander's death and of how his body was movedto Eygpt. Ms Renault's eye for historical details transports you tothe place so much so you feel you're witnessing the incidents yourself.Her canny reading of Alexander's character makes youbeleive the often held belief that Ms Renault had somehow transcendedtime and managed to get in touch with his spirit. Simplybrilliant!
Rating: 
Summary: Most Boring Tiresome book I ever read
Review: I hate this book. My school asigned this book. It is an extreamly diffcult book to read. It is not a book, it is like a history text book!
Rating: 
Summary: her fiction is better
Review: i suppose my title says pretty much all i want to say. having read both this book and her fictional accounts of alexander's life, it is clear that mary renault captures something more of alexander, and especially the alexander she wants to describe, with her fiction. 'the persian boy' is a much better book about alexander. unlike a lot of alexander's biographers, renault meaningfully conveys alexander's charisma, the sheer physical force of his attraction, the will-to-power that must have been to pull thousands of men thousands of miles from home. renault makes a follower out of me; i'm as ready to follow him to the indus as the macedonian next to me, but she does it oh-so-much better in fiction. nothing wrong with this book, but do not read it without also reading her fictional accounts of alexander's life.
Rating:
Summary: her fiction is better
Review: i suppose my title says pretty much all i want to say. having read both this book and her fictional accounts of alexander's life, it is clear that mary renault captures something more of alexander, and especially the alexander she wants to describe, with her fiction. 'the persian boy' is a much better book about alexander. unlike a lot of alexander's biographers, renault meaningfully conveys alexander's charisma, the sheer physical force of his attraction, the will-to-power that must have been to pull thousands of men thousands of miles from home. renault makes a follower out of me; i'm as ready to follow him to the indus as the macedonian next to me, but she does it oh-so-much better in fiction. nothing wrong with this book, but do not read it without also reading her fictional accounts of alexander's life.
Rating:
Summary: A romantic view of Alexander the Great
Review: In her study of the nature of Alexander the Great, clearly the greatest of generals and conquerors, Mary Renault has contributed a much-needed chapter to the study of the man. Most biographies simply focus on his achievements, while "The Nature of Alexander" has eschewed those facts, largely, to tell of his "nature," what made him do what he did, referring to pitched battles and skirmishes in only the most necessary detail. Other books (like Arrian's work), describe in full detail the battles. Mary Renault has given us what, in my opinion, is much more valuable: insights into the great man's personality. It is clear from this work that Alexander would have achieved greatness in any walk of life. Where it errs is on the side of romanticism. She does, however, an admirable job in presenting his character as free from this as any have ever done. Astounding.
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Summary: Alexander revisited
Review: Last October, I read and reviewed Peter Green's biography of Alexander the Great, ALEXANDER OF MACEDON, 356-323 B.C., to which I gave five stars. It was subsequently suggested to me that Green's book was a "hatchet job", and that I should read Mary Renault's THE NATURE OF ALEXANDER for a more balanced view. Renault's volume is very readable. In factual substance, it seems to my unscholarly eyes to be pretty much the same as Green's. I certainly didn't learn significantly more about Alexander from the former than the latter, though that portion of Renault's narrative concerning Alexander's death was fleshed out a bit more. Renault, however, strikes me as a much more sympathetic biographer. Whether this adds more truth to her version is, and will remain, indeterminable by me. In balance, I think I would choose and recommend Green's biography for the simple reason that he includes over a dozen route maps and battle plans that help the reader put Alexander's accomplishments in better perspective. Renault provides none at all, and the absence of such is a significant omission, in my opinion. Alexander led his Macedonians from the north of Greece to the western border of the Indian subcontinent - the edge of his known world - and almost all the way back again. Twenty-five thousand miles in eleven years! It isn't until you see this plotted on a map of the region that the remarkable accomplishment can be appreciated. THE NATURE OF ALEXANDER reinforced my opinion that Alexander was the greatest military commander of all time and the most charismatic and successful leader of men who's ever lived. At one point, just prior to marching homeward from India, Alexander was gravely wounded by an arrow that penetrated his lung. The rumor spread through the army that he was dead, and he felt it necessary to show himself. Renault quotes Nearchus: "... he ordered a horse to be fetched him. And when he mounted it ... the whole army clapped their hands repeatedly, and the banks and the river glades threw back the sound. (Near his tent he dismounted), so that the army could see him walking. They all ran to him from every side, some touching his hands, some his knees, some his clothing ..." What an experience it must have been to march to the ends of the earth with such a King!
Rating:
Summary: Solid sometimes sentimental bio of Alexander the Great
Review: Make no mistake, this author loved Alexander the Great. The author shows excellent historical knowledge of ancient greek civilization (as her many excellent historical novels will attest) and she presents interesting theories on why Alexander did what he did, from his perspective. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Alexander the Great. This is the third book on Alexander written by Renault, the first being Fire from Heaven on his unknown early life, and the Persian Boy, which covers him up until his death from a eunuch's perspective.
Rating:
Summary: The Nature of Alexander
Review: Mary Renault does a marvelous job once again. This is a must read !
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