Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #213884 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-09
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 496 pages

Synopsis
Continuing the epic saga of Alexander the Great. The Sands of Ammon brilliantly describes Alexander's quest to conquer Asia, the limitless domain ruled by the Great King of the Persians. In a seemingly impossible venture, Alexander and his men storm Persian fortresses and harbours, crippling King Daruis' domination of land and sea. Even the legendary Haliacarnassus is defeated by the Macedionan armies. Ruthlessly, Alexander's war machine moves ever onward taking him up into the snow-covered Anatolian highlands, and ever closer to his destiny. But there is much danger ahead. Despite the defeat of Daruis, the Island City of Tyre and the Towers of Gaza prove to be formidable obstacles. Undeterred, Alexander surges forth over land and sea to the mysterious land of Egypt And there, in the sands, lies the Oracle of Ammon, waiting to reveal an amazing truth to Alexander. One that will change his already amazing life

Customer Reviews

The Second in the Series
Few authors can be better equipped to write about the history of ancient Greece and Rome than Valerio Massimo Manfredi. Professor of archaeology at the university of Milan, he has carried out many excavations and expeditions in the Mediterranean region. He has produced many factual books on historical matters, mainly military and has still found the time to write several novels and this is one of the best of them.

This book is the second of a triology about probably the greatest warrior and general who has ever lived, bearing in mind that Alexander died at an age when most men are only just starting to make their mark in life. Alexander is of course one of histories most colourful and well know character. Even people with little or not interest in ancient history will have heard of Alexander, a charismatic and larger than life figure.

In this second novel the author turns his attention to Alexander's Persian campaigns focussing on the battles between Alexander's forces and the rival general Memnon of Rhodes. Alexander knows in his heart that his superior troops will carry the battle but he can't help feeling admiration for his opponents courage.

The sudden death of Memnon from a mystery illness makes for an anticlimactic end to their battles but allows the conqueror to claim Barsine, the beautiful wife of Memnon. Alexander's next challenge is to face the Tyrian navy as they attempt to block his advance into Egypt . . .

Not without detail
After reading the first book in the Alexander trilogy I found this a little harder going but once past the first 50 pages really got into it. This book looks at the lengths Alexander was prepared to go to in order to exoand his already vast empire but also shows us his extrordianarily compassionate side towards those he wanted to lead.

An excellent portrayal of Alexander the Great
This is the second book in the trilogy telling of the life of Alexander the Great - I've bought them all! I bought the first book (Child of a Dream), somewhat by accident. I wasn't sure if this would appeal to me - action books are more my scene. I was blown away, stacks of action, but with a historic context and with plenty of human insight and intrigue.
This book continues where the first left off, Alexander starts his quest to conquer Asia, ruled by the Persians, and we follow his progress all the way to Egypt. In the process, we learn about his most respected adversary Memnon, and Memnon's wife Barsine - later to become Alexander's lover. The story unfolds at breath-taking pace; this is truly a book you won't be able to put down.