Product Description

Granicus River was Alexander's first great victory over the Persians, where he demonstrated the heroic style of active and decisive leadership that was the hallmark of his career. In the initial engagement, Alexander's 5,000 cavalry, supported by archers and javelin men, routed a force of 20,000 Persian cavalry This convincing victory was the springboard for the subjugation of the coastal cities, the neutralisation of the Persian navy and ultimately the conquest of the Persian Empire. Exploring the courageous leadership of one of the world's most inspirational yet ruthless leaders, this book provides a detailed analysis of the battle, strategy and tactics of the forces engaged.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #451184 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

Review
The figure of Alexander the Great has undoubtedly held a great deal of fascination for many. His enigmatic personality, vast but fleeting empire, long list of his military victories and early death make him one of the greatest figures of the Ancient World. There is no doubt that the King of Macedon was able to emulate his Homeric hero Achilles. Although it was not his first military success, his decisive victory over the Persians was the hallmark of his career. Alexander the Great began to forge his long-lasting legacy at Granicus. This new Osprey title narrates the Battle of the Granicus River where Alexander routed a Persian army which greatly outnumbered him - the Persian force is said to have had around 20,000 men...although considering the fact that the literary sources are Greek or Roman, the numbers were most likely exaggerated. Thompson does a great job at recounting the events that led up to the encounter with Persia. He also explains the organization of the vying forces (especially the Macedonian Army) and narrates the battle sequence. Richard Hook's illustrations are a nice addition, though it's a pity there are so few. --Wargames: Soldier and Strategy

About the Author
Michael Thompson has a Masters Degree in ancient history from Oxford, where he wrote a thesis on the political and military career of the Hellenistic monarch Demetrius Poliorcetes (the 'Besieger'). He also has degrees in philosophy from universities in the United States. He has had a long interest in military history, including academic work, archaeology and gaming. He currently lives in Oxford, UK.

Customer Reviews

Honest book, although poorly illustrated, mainly for Osprey Campaign fans
First, to get everything straight, I collect Osprey Campaign titles and currently I have them all. Now, this title is quite honest and I enjoyed reading it, but I do not recommend it, except if you are a collector, like me. And here is why.
This book gives quite a lot information about the beginning of the great adventure of Alexander the Great in Asia, but you can find the same information easily spending one hour on internet. You just put Alexander the Great, phalange, Granicus, etc. in your Google and just in wikipedia you will find the same stuff - for free. I know you can do it, because I did it.
Now, Osprey Campaigns are short (96 pages in all) and more and more it is possible to get the same things on the web. What gives the edge to the Campaigns books are usually the maps and especially the colour plates. Here the maps are honest, but let's face it, you can find them easily also on the web. It leaves the colour plates - and here is the bad news: there are only two colour plates instead of three, and they are poor. The first one shows the cavalry fight in which Alexander almost lost his life (he was saved by Kleitos), and this one is honest, not great, but acceptable. The second one, showing the desperate fight of Greek mercenaries against the Macedonian phalange, is ridiculous, gray, lacking details and is in fact just a waste of two pages. Short message for the Osprey editors: "People, what makes the success of your books always was the colour plates - if you mess them up, you mess the reason why people are buying them".
Conclusion - if you are a Campaigns fan and collector, buy it. Otherwise, go on the web and save some money.