The Genius of Alexander the Great

by N.G.L. Hammond

Book Overview

By the time of his death in 323 B.C., Alexander III of Macedonia had built an empire that stretched from the eastern Mediterranean coast through Asia Minor and into the Indus valley. Even before his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807823503
• ISBN13: 9780807823507
• Release Date: March 1997
• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Mega Alexandros

I have read many books about Alexander and unfortunately most of them misrepresent him as a Tyrannt or whatever the authors feel that can diminish a great personality through exaggeration. However, Hammond has broken away from the micropolitics and has gone one step further and asks the question of why Alexander acted in this way. You could say that the book is an answer to the misinformed scholars about Alexander the Great. In other words, I found that the book is Alexander's "Apology" for his actions. Being of a Greek background, I found that the translations of the sources are accurate and not misinterpreted. Hammond's knowledge of the Ancient Hellenic civilization have helped him understand what we as Greeks know about Alexander and his role in the Ancient Hellenic civiliztion. I recommend this book to serious history readers who don't want distorted facts and events.

Well-Detailed, Highly Entertaining And Informative.

Few figures in the history of the world have attained the mythical status and timeless quality of Alexander The Great. The man and myth continue to fuel the imagination of every new generation. This is no surprise when one reads about the man's achievements and how they changed the world. The lore of the story relies in the classic, epic sense of adventure that courses through it, it is a tale that takes us through various cultures, characters and to the stretches of the known world. N.G.L. Hammond is clearly an admirer of Alexander and tells his story here with the flare of homage and reverence. "The Genius Of Alexander The Great" gives us a story of boldness and the quest for knowledge and truth. Alexander comes off as a highly intelligent, cultured commander who embarks on a quest to defeat a mammoth Persian empire and bring Greek culture into the civilisations of Asia and beyond and to also introduce their cultures to the Greeks and Macedonians. Hammond describes in great detail the battles Alexander wins against Persian king Darius, who is ruler of the world before the Macedonian king steps ashore. The book is also a fascinating exploration of Greek history, taking us deep into the cultural traditions and aspects of Alexander's world. One realizes you cannot judge Alexander by the standards of our time, this is one figure that demands to be judged by the standards of his own time and era. If one takes the book to heart with careful attention, you realize what sets Alexander apart from conquerors like Caesar, Napoleon and Hannibal is that his goal was simply to achieve a sort of greatness in the style of Achilles ("The Iiliad" was a constant companion during the Asiatic campaign). Hammond's book is also a wonderful gallery of characters. The most memorable aside from Alexander would have to be his free-spirited mother Olympias, who here is depicted dancing wildly in Dionysian cults, handling snakes and indulging herself in orgiastic rituals such as the "Bacchae." There is also Alexander's talented, brilliant father Philip, the philosopher Aristotle and others. It's evident that Alexander lived in special times for the history of civilisation and he was simply there to add his mark. And Hammond writes it all with a novelistic style that engrosses the reader and transports you there clearly and vividly. From Macedonia and Persia to Egypt and India, Hammond takes us on a journey to understand how there are daring, epic moments in history that live on forever. A wonderful read and memorable book.

Great book on a great historical figure.

This is the last book written by Prof. Hammond on ATG and it really is a nice piece of work. Some people may claim that he tends to over-glorify Alexander but I don't believe so. His analysis is very balanced and his criticism is not based on 20th Century values and ideals, which is a problem with other authors on the same subject.If you're looking for a good book on Alexander the Great, do start here.

An insightful book on a military genius

Hammond's book is the first book I have read on Alexander and I think it is a great book to read if you know at least some detail about Alexander. From his early day's with Philip to Alexander's brilliant conquest of Persia to his early death, this book is absolutely great. The book is fairly brief, but it incorporates good research. The reader can hardly imagine how such a young figure could conquer the greatest and largest empire in the world up to that time. I have no doubt that Alexander was one of the greatest military figures in world history.

A Enjoyable Read On A Great Historical Figure

This is the most readable biography on Alexander I've ever read. The author gives the layperson instant access to the major events in the life of a very important historical figure. There are a plethora of in-depth historical books on Alexander the Great, but here is a book that you can actually finish without falling asleep. A most enjoyable little tome.