Alexander the Great

Book Categories: Alexander, Death, His Father, Fiction, Ancient Sources, Analysis of Sources, Military, His World, Wall Map, Macedonia, Greece, Children's Books, DVDs

Alexander the Great Biographies

Alexander the Great: Legacy of a Conqueror by Winthrop Lindsay Adams. Biography.

Alexander the Great: Journey to the End of the Earth by Norman F. Cantor. This biography draws from the writings of Alexander's contemporaries and recent psychological studies to show Alexander as he was -- a great figure whose puzzling personality fueled his military accomplishments.

Alexander the Great: The Hunt for a New Past by Paul Cartledge. Tells Alexander's life story and explains explains why he is endlessly fascinating.

Alexander the Great by Nigel Cawthorne. Biography featuring a chronology, full index, and striking color illustrations.

Alexander the Great by Lewis V. Cummings. Comprehensive biography of a brilliant and tyrannical leader.

Alexander: The Conqueror: The Epic Story of the Warrior King by Laura Foreman. Introduces Alexander's family, the personalities of his generals, and the lands he conquered. Examines Alexander as student, friend, lover, military genius, and emperor, and explores unsolved mysteries about his life. Illustrated.

Alexander the Great by Robin Lane Fox. Biography that focuses on the real, living Alexander, an impatient man of passionate ambitions.

Alexander of Macedon 356-323 B.C.: A Historical Biography by Peter Green. Examines Alexander as both a great general and a complex individual.

Alexander the Great: King, Commander and Statesman by N.G.L. Hammond. Biography of a man who changed the face of the world in just 13 years.

Alexander: The Ambiguity of Greatness by Guy MacLean Rogers. In his day he was revered as a god; in our day he has been reviled as a mass murderer. This biography sifts through history and myth to uncover the truth about this complex genius.

Alexander the Great: The Invisible Enemy by John Maxwell O'Brien. A biography which presents Alexander as an alcoholic whose drinking had a profound impact on his life.

The Nature of Alexander by Mary Renault. A biography that examines Alexander's character and motives.

Alexander the Great: Man and God by Ian Worthington. Account of Alexander's colorful but ultimately destructive life.

Alexander: Invincible King of Macedonia by Peter G. Tsouras. Biography from the Brassey's Military Profiles series.

Alexander the Great by Ulrich Wilcken. A study of Alexander the Great as a conqueror. Focuses on Alexander's achievements and influence.

Alexander the Great: Son of the Gods by Alan Fildes and Joann Fletcher. A biography based on the latest theories and discoveries about the Macedonian king. Among the topics covered are Alexander's relationship with his father, the influence of his mother, his brilliant leadership, and his daily life. Illustrated. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

Alexander the Great by William W. Tarn. Classic biography, published in 1948. From Alibris.

Alexander the Great: Volume 2, Sources and Studies by W. W. Tarn. Detailed analysis of the sources and discussion of Alexander's life.

Alexander the Great: A Life in Legend by Richard Stoneman. Drawing on earlier biographies and newly unearthed evidence, this book reveals Alexander as a brilliant and ruthless commander who came to believe in his own myth.

More Books About Alexander

Conquest and Empire: The Reign of Alexander the Great by A. B. Bosworth. Explores the process and consequences of Alexander's campaigns, focusing on the effect of his monarchy upon the world.

Alexander the Great Failure: The Collapse of the Macedonian Empire by John D. Grainger. According to the author, Alexander's arrogance caused his own premature death and the destruction of his empire.

Alexander the Great: A New History edited by Waldemar Heckel and Lawrence A. Tritle. Experts look at Alexander's religious views, sexuality, legacy, and portrayals in Hollywood films.

Envy of the Gods: Alexander the Great's Ill-Fated Journey Across Asia by John Prevas. Few people know the full story of Alexander's decline and fall as he sought to bring the most remote areas of the Persian empire under his control. The author personally retraced of much of Alexander's route through what is now Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Alexander's Tomb: The Two-Thousand Year Obsession to Find the Lost Conquerer by Nicholas Saunders. Despite the popular fascination with Alexander the Great, we have no idea where he is buried. The search for his tomb began soon after his untimely death in 323 BC and continues even today.

Alexander the Great in Fact and Fiction edited by A. B. Bosworth and E. J. Baynham. Ten essays by leading scholars in the field of Alexander studies.

Alexander the Great and the Mystery of the Elephant Medallions by Frank L. Holt. Explores how Alexander promoted the perception that he enjoyed divine favor and commanded even the forces of nature against his enemies.

In the Absence of Alexander: Harpalus and the Failure of of Macedonian Authority by Christopher Blackwell. Harpalus was a childhood friend of Alexander who became the king's treasurer. He embezzeled from the treasury and fled to Greece, where he was eventually murdered.

The Legend of Alexander the Great on Greek and Roman Coins by Karsten Dahmen. Examines portraits and representations of Alexander on ancient Greek and Roman coins (c.320 BC to AD 400).

The Wisdom of Alexander The Great: Enduring Leadership Lessons From the Man Who Created an Empire by Lance B. Kurke.

The Life of Alexander the Great As Narrated by King Alfonso X, edited by Joseph Abraham Levi. Biography of Alexander by a Spanish king.

Alexander the Great: The Man Who Brought the World to Its Knees by Michael Alvear. Humorous account of Alexander the Great, his boyfriends, his tendency to sulk, and his drama queen inclinations. Filled with examples from Alexander's life to show Alexander in a new light.

The Death of Alexander

Death of Alexander the Great: What or Who Really Killed the Young Conqueror of the Known World? by Paul Doherty. Did Alexander die of alcoholism, a hideous bout of malaria, or were other factors involved?

Alexander the Great: Murder in Babylon by Graham Phillips. Presents forensic evidence that Alexander was poisoned by a member of his court. The author discusses eight prime suspects, uncovering a maze of sexual intrigue and tragedy.

The Lost Tomb of Alexander the Great by Andrew Chugg. The disappearance of the tomb of Alexander the Great is a tantalizing mystery. This book combines a detailed chronological account of the tomb's history with new discoveries. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

Books About Philip of Macedon

Philip II of Macedonia by Ian Worthington. Biography of Alexander the Great's accomplished father, whose stormy relationship with his son may have ended in murder.

Bloodline of Kings: A Novel of Philip of Macedon by Thomas Sundell. Novel about Alexander the Great's father.

More Books About Philip of Macedon

Novels About Alexander the Great

Fire From Heaven by Mary Renault. A novel about Alexander's youth by a talented, entertaining, and meticulously accurate writer. Definitely worth reading.

The Persian Boy by Mary Renault. Novel about the adult Alexander's relationship with a eunuch who was his servant.

Funeral Games by Mary Renault. Novel about what happened after Alexander's death. His heirs were two unborn sons and a simpleton half-brother. Wives, distant relatives, and generals vied for the loyalty of the Macedonian army.

Empire of Ashes: A Novel of Alexander the Great by Nicolas Nicastro. The great Alexander is dead. Machon - the late emperor's friend - is being scapegoated for his downfall. On trial for his life, Machon tells his accusers the tragic truth behind Alexander's rise and fall.

Alexander: Child of a Dream by Valerio Massimo Manfredi, translated by Iain Halliday. First novel in a trilogy about Alexander's life. Followed by the sequels Alexander: The Sands of Ammon and Alexander: The Ends of the Earth.

The Virtues of War: A Novel of Alexander the Great by Steven Pressfield. Plunges the reader into battle with Alexander the Great, providing a glimpse into the mind of history's greatest conqueror, and plenty of authentic detail about ancient warfare. Little attention is given to Alexander's life off the battlefield, but this book is a treat for fans of military fiction.

The Afghan Campaign: A Novel by Steven Pressfield. Military fiction. Matthias, a young infantryman in the army of Alexander the Great, tells the story of Alexander's invasion of the Afghan kingdoms in 330 B.C.

The Conqueror by Judith E. French. A romance novel about Alexander the Great and his bride Roxanne.

Bring Down the Sun by Judith Tarr. Fantasy novel based on the life of Olympias, mother of Alexander the Great.

The Godless Man by P. C. Doherty. Alexander the Great's personal physician solves a murder mystery.

A Murder in Macedon: A Mystery of Alexander the Great by Anna Apostolou. A novel in which Alexander investigates his father's death. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

Ancient Writings About Alexander

Alexander the Great: The Brief Life and Towering Exploits of History's Greatest Conqueror edited by Tania Gergel. Selections from the writings of Alexander's original biographers -- Arrian, Plutarch, and Quintus Curtius Rufus -- with an introduction on Alexander's legacy by Michael Wood.

The Campaigns of Alexander by Arrian, translated by Aubrey De Selincourt. Arrian was a second century Greek historian whose work about Alexander, Anabasis, was based on the writings of two of Alexander's generals.

The History of Alexander by Quintus Curtius Rufus, translated by John Yardley, is a classic account of Alexander's life.

Justin: Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus: Books 11-12: Alexander the Great by Marcus Junianus Justinus, translated by John Yardley. The first authoritative English translation and scholarly commentary on a little known but important ancient historical source: the second/third century Roman historian Justin's abridged version of the Philippic History by Pompeius Trogus (27 BC-AD 14). This book covers books 11-12 and represents one of the five major sources for historians on the life and times of Alexander the Great.

Plutarch's Lives: Demosthenes and Cicero, Alexander and Caesar by Plutarch. Plutarch was born around 46 A.D. His work Parallel Lives contrasts the lives of great Greeks and Romans. This volume contains his biography of Alexander, whom he compares to Caesar.

The History of Alexander the Great by C. A. Robinson provides translations of the extant historians bound with the ephemerides of Alexander's expedition.

Alexander the Great: Historical Texts in Translation by Waldemar Heckel and J. C. Yardley. New translations of the most important ancient writings on Alexander, arranged so that the reader can compare different reports of the same events.

Analysis of Ancient Sources

Alexander the Great: The Unique History of Quintus Curtius by Elizabeth Baynham explores the motivations of ancient writers about Alexander.

From Arrian to Alexander: Studies in Historical Interpretation by A.B. Bosworth. Bosworth is also the author of A Historical Commentary on Arrian's History of Alexander (Volume 1), and A Historical Commentary on Arrian's History of Alexander (Volume 2).

Alexander the Great: A Reader edited by Ian Worthington. A guide for undergraduates showing the problems of the ancient source material on Alexander. The 11 thematic chapters contain a broad selection of the most significant published articles, and translate a substantial number of the more inaccessible primary sources.

Three Historians of Alexander the Great by N. G. L. Hammond. Provides an in-depth study of the three earliest accounts of Alexander the Great, showing that the authors used multiple and varied sources.

Sources for Alexander the Great: An Analysis of Plutarch's Life and Arrian's Analasis Alexandrou by N.G.L. Hammond.

Books About Alexander as a Military Leader

Alexander: A History of the Origin and Growth of the Art of War from the Earliest Times to the Battle of Ipsus, 301 BC by Theodore Ayrault Dodge. A classic of military history.

Alexander the Great and the Logistics of the Macedonian Army by Donald W. Engels.

The Generalship of Alexander the Great by J. F. C. Fuller.

Alexander the Great, Killer of Men by David J. Lonsdale. Explores Alexander's military strategy and fighting techniques.

The Conquests of Alexander the Great by Waldemar Heckel. Emphasizes the aims and impact of Alexander's military expeditions, as well as the political consequences.

Alexander the Great at War: His Army - His Battles - His Enemies by Ruth Sheppard. Examines all of Alexander's campaigns, describing his armies, generalship, and tactics. With numerous maps, photographs, and full-color artwork.

Alexander the Great at the Battle of Granicus: A Campaign in Context by Rupert Matthews. Alexander was just 20 when he led his army into battle at Granicus. This book explain the events of the battle and the context in which it took place.

The Army of Alexander the Great by Nick Sekunda. With artwork, maps, and diagrams.

Alexander 334-323 BC: Conquest of the Persian Empire by John Warry.

The Macedonian Empire: The Era of Warfare Under Philip II and Alexander the Great, 359-323 B.C by James R. Ashley. Examines the 11 great armies and three great navies of the era, along with some of their operations and logistics, and each campaign and significant battle fought by Phillip and Alexander. (This review © Amazon.com.)

Into the Land of Bones: Alexander the Great in Afghanistan by Frank L. Holt. Alexander led the most sophisticated army of its day into the treacherous world of Afghanistan's tribal warlords. This book describes those grueling campaigns and the impact they had on Alexander, his generals, their troops, and the world.

Books About Alexander's World

Alexander the Great in His World by Carol G. Thomas. Places Alexander within the context of his time, place, culture, and ancestry to discover what influences shaped his life and career.

Who's Who in the Age of Alexander the Great: Prosopography of Alexander's Empire by Waldemar Heckel. Contains over 800 concise biographies, from leading commanders in Alexander's army to the nobles and regional leaders of the Persian empire.

Cities of Alexander the Great by P. M. Fraser. Alexander founded a great many cities, including Alexandria in northern Egypt.

In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great: A Journey from Greece to Asia by Michael Wood. Filmmaker and journalist Michael Wood has retraced Alexander's journey - by car, on horseback and camel, by boat, and on foot. The documentary is also available.

Books About Macedonia
Books About Ancient Iran (Persia)

Children's Books About Alexander the Great

For Ages 4 to 8

Alexander the Great by Penny Worms, illustrated by Anthony Lewis.

For Ages 9 to 12

The Life and Times of Alexander the Great by John Bankston. Biography of a king who spread democracy.

The Conquests of Alexander the Great by Alison Behnke. Includes a timeline and glossary.

Alexander the Great: World Conqueror by Michael Burgan. Biography.

Alexander the Great by Fiona MacDonald. Describes the world as it was in Alexander's time.

Alexander the Great by Robert Green. A biography.

Alexander the Great: Ancient King & Conqueror by Katie Marsico.

Alexander the Great: Conqueror of the Ancient World by Tom McGowen. Biography.

The Story of Alexander the Great by Sofia Zarabouka. Biography that combines stories from history and legend.

Alexander the Great: Master of the Ancient World by Doug Wilhelm. Biography from the "Wicked History" series for readers age 9 to 12.

Philip II and Alexander the Great Unify Greece in World History by Don Nardo.

Alexander the Great: A Novel by Nikos Kazantzakis. Fiction for young readers.

Alexander the Great: The Life of a King and Conqueror by Rob Shone, Anita Ganeri, Chris Odgers. A graphic novel for children ages 9 to 12.

You Wouldn't Want to Be in Alexander the Great's Army: Miles You'd Rather Not March by Jacqueline Morley, illustrated by David Antram. For children ages 9 to 12.

For Young Adults

Alexander the Great by Samuel Willard Crompton. Describes Alexander's life and accomplishments.

Alexander the Great: Conqueror of the Known World by Don Nardo. Biography for young adult readers.

Empire of Alexander the Great by Pamela Dell and Debra Skelton.

Alexander the Great by John Gunther. Biography.

I Am the Great Horse by Katherine Roberts. Novel for young adult readers about Bucephalus, famous horse of Alexander the Great.

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Movies & Documentaries

These DVDs are formatted for North American audiences.

The True Story of Alexander the Great. This History Channel documentary takes viewers to the Greek locations of Alexander's youth and the battlefields where he fought. Alexander's signature battle plans are demonstrated using re-enactors and state-of-the art computer graphics.

Alexander. Colin Farrell plays Alexander the Great and Angelina Jolie plays his mother(!) in this 2004 movie directed by Oliver Stone.

Alexander the Great: Battle of Issus. Re-enactment of the battle. Sometimes available at Amazon.

Alexander the Great. 1956 movie starring Richard Burton, Frederic March, and Claire Bloom.

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