Rating: 
Summary: A Brilliant Historical Study
Review: This book is absolutely brilliant--one of the best I've everread on any topic. If this were Siskel and Ebert, it would rate twothumbs, up, way up! To be sure, things get off to a slow start, as the author lays out the setting, introduces a large cast of characters, some of whom had the same name, so it was hard to keep up at times. But after the first several dozen pages, the story just takes off and you can't put the book down. The author does a superb job of putting you right there--I really felt like I was along for the ride clear across Asia to India and back again. But what clearly distinguishes this work is Green's dissection of Alexander. He refutes the traditional description of Alexander as an elightened civilizing force spreading Western culture. It turns out the enemy Persian Empire was a sophisticated, enlightened establishement in its own right--so much so that Greeks in Asia Minor decline to join Alexander's crusade--they've got it good under the Persians. Alexander himself is a ruthless megalomaniac who stamps out anyone he thinks is standing in his way. That said, Green judges him the greatest military commander in history and provides the goods to prove, i.e. wins under every consceivable circumstance. The descriptions of the major operations and battles--Tyre, Issis, Arbela, etc.--are first rate. I also liked the way Green wove in modernist terms (the artillery, the propaganda section, etc.) to show that certain principles and concepts are timeless. In short, this is an absolutely brilliant historical biography. Two thumbs up, way up!
Rating:
Summary: More than Readable; Exciting
Review: This book is great because it is history written for the common man, not history written to impress one's peers. From page one, we are immersed in ancient Macedonian politics and a way of life which was in many ways quite different from our own. There, murder wasn't necessarily shunned as a way to political advancement, (actually, nothing new there) and Green makes a compelling case that Alexander was, if not involved, at least aware of the murderous plot against his father, Philip. How this comes about is remarkable, and intensely readable, with drunkeness and homosexual rape as the precipitating factors in the plot. We then follow the great Alexander as he first subjugates then makes an uneasy peace with Greece, and fights his way into Asia, Egypt, Persia and India. I was always under the impression that he reached India almost as a last gasp--in fact, several huge battles were fought there. Alexander was intensely religious, worshipping and sacrificing to his gods at every turn. The decision to reduce Tyre, in fact, was largely made as the result of the Tyrian's refusal to allow him to worship at their shrine. In what is perhaps the most compelling passage of the book, we read how Alexander built a mole, or bridge, to the walled island fortress, while undergoing regular and sustained attack from the Tyrian navy. After six months of this he was able to get his siege engines into place and bombard the city. Finally, after the mole reached the city, his soldiers were let loose, and Tyre was completely and utterly destroyed. The surviving 30,000 or so were sold into slavery, and 2,000 men and boys of military age were crucified. Crucified! Alexander then marched in, and indignantly worshipped at their shrine. We never lose sight of Alexander the man, who was subject to fits of rage. Cold rage, as the author points out, and God help you, friend or foe, if his rage was directed at you. But Alexander lost sight of himself. After winning his first great battle against the Persians, for example, and commenting on their captured riches, he wryly remarked, "So this is how a king lives, eh?" But soon, after achieving success after success, he began acting the part himself, wearing Persian finery, fancying himself as chosen by the gods, and, most importantly, creating the resentment in his lieutenants that ultimately lead to his fall. Alexander's is a fascinating story to begin with, and is handled expertly by Green. This is history at its most exciting, and I strongly recommend this book, to even those with only the most casual interest in the subject matter.
Rating:
Summary: masterful!
Review: What a fantastic book! Peter Green makes the history of Alexander the Great sing! Not only will he tell you what we know, but also why we know it. His writing style is very good, and he also did a good job of distinguishing fact from hypothesis. Really, really good read. You will come away from this book with a better understanding of ancient mediterranean history, and with a much better of understanding of how scholars piece together that history. GET THIS BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent work of biography and history
Review: This is a truly excellent biography of a near-mythical figure. First of all, this book provides a thorough review of the known history of Alexander the Great - I have no idea how someone could consider this book "fictional," as one reviewer did. What's most impressive is how Green insists on treating Alexander as a human being. An exceptional person, but still a person, motivated by human passions and concerns. Most ancient history treats its subjects like the stone statues seen in museums. But we can't forget that there were people behind the marble, and they acted like, well, people. Alexander may have considered himself chosen by the gods - and by the end, even divine himself - but Green isn't buying it. At every turn, Green insists on interpreting Alexander's actions just as he might interpret a leader's actions today. Green weighs the poltical, military, family and psychological factors that affected Alexander's decisions, and leaves divine will out of it. Some readers may be put off by Green's demythologizing. I think that Green revitalizes Alexander by restoring humanity to his myth.
Rating: 
Summary: A fine book about Alexander's triumphs and life.
Review: I bought this book without knowing much about Alexander's triumphs in the ancient world. I always knew about the legends of Alexander but not the facts. This book describes the facts (as well as modern history knows about the facts) of his triumphs and ultimate death of Alexander. I look forward to reading more about Alexander the Great from various authors but I believe this will be one of the best books about him thus far.
Rating:
Summary: Well-written, well-documented
Review: Cast in the British academic style, this book is well-documented, opinionated, erudite, and witty. Christopher Hitchens' endorsement is telling: if you like Hitchens, you'll like Peter Green. It focuses almost exclusively on Alexander's life (which largely consisted of campaigns across the Persian Empire) and his associates. Hence, unlike some biographies, it does not give an extended overview of the customs, economy, or general conditions of his era. If you strongly prefer social history to military history, this book may not be for you. Two minor criticisms: First, he sometimes warmly recommends the positions set out by other scholars in works not accessible to most readers. A summary of their positions would have been nice. Second, he makes almost no reference to, or use of, non-European sources.
Rating:
Summary: Extensive
Review: It's hard to miss with a biography of this eminently exciting individual's exploits. Green duly traces Alexander's career on its insane march forward with scholarly aplomb, extensive footnoting, and common sense. He has given us the facts stripped of the myth as best they can be reconsructed. I might prefer a few more detailed anecdotes for entertainment value, even ridiculous stories to be dismissed, as well as a bit more description of the countries and cultures through which the army proceeds. But why quibble, this is good stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Detailed, fresh and orginal.
Review: Having just finished a detailed research into Alexnader as a comander I found Green's work very useful. Alot of the work is a rehash of details contain in other works, however the analysis of Alexander on the last chapter and the Apendix are fresh and brilliant. The analysis of the battle of Granicus should be read by any serious historian.
Rating:
Summary: A well written biography that reads like an adventure novel
Review: One of the best biographies and historical books I've read. Makes Alexander's life captivating and what is ancient history feel alive. The book captivates you from the start and makes the facts come alive - I can't recommend it enough!
Rating:
Summary: One of the finest books on Alexander
Review: Anyone interested in Alexander should read this book. It is by far one of the best accounts of Alexander's life and accomplishments. This book is not for the novice historian as the multitude of names can easily confuse the beginner. The book reads well and brings forth the events of Alexander's life in stunning detail. Green applies the correct blend of Alexander's complex personality and astonishing military accomplishments. A great follow on to Arrian's Campaigns of Alexander.
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