Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #669764 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Synopsis
As he lay siege to the world Alexander harboured the belief he was the son of God and desired everlasting glory by conquering all to the ends of the earth. The Death of Alexander analyses this outstanding figure who achieved so much before his premature end. He was an enigma, a man who wanted to be a god, a Greek who wanted to be Persian, a defender of liberties who spent most of his life taking away the liberties of others, and a king who could be compassionate yet ruthlessly wipe out an ancient city like Tyre and crucify 3,000 of its defenders along the seashore. The Death of Alexander also scrutinizes the circumstances surrounding the young king's death in the summer palace of the Persian kings. Did Alexander die of alcohol poisoning? Or where there other, more sinister factors involved? Alexander had been warned not to enter Babylon. The holy man, Calanus of India, before he had climbed on his own funeral pyre, warned Alexander he would meet him in Babylon. So was his death there so predictable? The great general had surrounded himself with outstanding captains of war. Did these aggressive, violent and ambitious men have a hand in Alexander's death?

Were they tired of Alexander's desire to march to the rim of the world? Were they becoming increasingly disturbed by their leader's growing despotic tendencies as they realized more of their colleagues appeared to die by accident or illness than at the pitched battles at the Granicus, Gaugemela, or Issus? And was it they who ultimately made a decision to bring this young god's life to a violent, untimely end?

Customer Reviews

The death of Europe's greatest conqueror
Rather than concentrate on the life of Alexander the Great this book looks at the cause and circumstances around his death. The book starts by setting the scene, detailing the death of Alexander's farther and the events leading up to Alexander's own death. The book is generally well written, although I do feel the author does have a tendency to repeat facts he feels are important a bit too much. In order to study the events Paul Doherty has brought together many sources and although I may not agree with many of the conclusions he has drawn from these sources, I cannot fault his thorough research. Anyone interested in the life of Alexander would find this book rather lacking as it doesn't go into much detail on any other aspect of Alexander other than the events that lead to his death but for those interested in his death this book would be perfect.

One of History's Greatest Men
Paul Doherty is the consummate professional when it comes to writing historical novels. I for one do not know how he can be so prolific with his offering of books and yet make sure that each of them is well researched. Whether they be 13th, 14th, or fifteenth century they are always true to the period. He also writes about Ancient Egypt and now he has taken to writing about Alexander the Great. Paul Doherty has the rare talent of making you feel as though you are there, be it medieval England, or battling with Alexander. The sounds and smells of the period seem to waft from the pages of his books.

With this non-fiction book Doherty proves that he is much more than just a story-teller, but uses his scholarly background to good advantage. In this book he attempt to unravel some of the mystery surrounding Alexander's death a the extremely young age of 33, in the month of May in 323 BC. Alexander complained of feeling ill while in Babylon. Within 10 days he was dead. A military genius and master tactician who had swept all before him.

But how did he die. Paul Doherty looks at the circumstances and scans the possibilities of the great man's death. Some say he was poisoned. It is written in the history books that he lay sweating beside a pool in the palace of the Persian Kings. Had he suffered a heart attack or an overwhelming attacking of malaria. Was he a drunk and an alcoholic? All these things are possibilities. What about the warning Alexander received not to enter Babylon? The author recounts the last days before Alexander's death.

It does what it says on the tin
This book was based soley around the life and ultimately the death of Alexander the great. If you want to read about Alexanders conquests and millitary feats then this book is not for you. All the book is based around is who Alexander was as a person and ultimately how he "may" have met his maker, his relationships with his armies, families and friends and how he treated all of these. The book is worth a read, however if like me you wanted to read about his military side this book is a little disappointing and not for you, but if you want to understand who Alexander was then give it a go.