Alexander the Great cover art

Alexander the Great

The Hunt for a New Past

 Preview
Try for $0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Alexander the Great

Written by: Paul Cartledge
Narrated by: John Lee
Try for $0.00

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $23.35

Buy Now for $23.35

About this listen

 Paul Cartledge, one of the world's foremost scholars of ancient Greece, illuminates the brief but iconic life of Alexander (356-323 B.C.), king of Macedon, conqueror of the Persian Empire, and founder of a new world order. Alexander's legacy has had a major impact on military tacticians, scholars, statesmen, adventurers, authors, and filmmakers.

Cartledge brilliantly evokes Alexander's remarkable political and military accomplishments, cutting through the myths to show why he was such a great leader. He explores our endless fascination with Alexander and gives us insight into his charismatic leadership, his capacity for brutality, and his sophisticated grasp of international politics.

Alexander the Great is an engaging portrait of a fascinating man and a welcome balance to the myths, legends, and skewed history that have obscured the real Alexander.

©2004 Paul Cartledge (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ancient Europe Greece Historical Military Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism Ancient History Ancient Greece Mythology Greek Mythology War Middle East Middle Ages

What the critics say

"May be the most accessible introduction in print....An amazingly solid, balanced, and evocative view of the man." ( Washington Post Book World)
"Readable and engrossing....Immediate, discursive, insightful, and highly engaging." ( Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
"With his usual riveting storytelling, Cartledge...narrates Alexander's life and rise to power. Cartledge's knack for bringing history to life makes for an absorbing new biography of the legendary Greek leader." ( Publishers Weekly)
All stars
Most relevant  
The author here is very frank about the relative lack of reliable sources on one of the most celebrated lives in human history, so he is cautious in his interpretation of Alexander's exploits. This is pleasing, as he separates a lot of probable fact from probable fiction and admits that much detective work and sometimes even speculation is required in order to get to who Alexander was. Good read.

Cautious History

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.