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lazylys's review against another edition
2.0
This biography makes for a quick and light reading, probably aimed more to a general audience than to readers who already know the topic.
My main issue with it is the lack of a good analysis of the sources, which I feel is a huge point in any attempt to write and analyse Alexander's life. Even worse, Freeman makes almost seems sources are not an issue at all, nor he points out why he picks from one instead of another.
My main issue with it is the lack of a good analysis of the sources, which I feel is a huge point in any attempt to write and analyse Alexander's life. Even worse, Freeman makes almost seems sources are not an issue at all, nor he points out why he picks from one instead of another.
scipio_africanus's review
5.0
Finished up Philip Freeman's biography of Alexander the Great. Has there ever been a general greater than Alexander? What an epic adventure. What would I give to be transported back 2300 years to be one of his soldiers. Incredible story of an army full of incredible men.
sandyjhutti's review
5.0
I wanted a book where I would learn a lot about Alexander the Great, this book delivered. This was not a romanticized version of that either. Alexander the Great was a decent warrior who took risks, he was no leader. Greater man have existed.
adamsw216's review
4.0
Delivering a clear and concise narrative, Philip Freeman assembles a wide variety of sources to provide us with a broad overview of Alexander the Great and his accomplishments. I do feel like a lot of details are glossed over where far deeper stories may exist, but as a general tour of his life and exploits, I think it is understandable. There seems to be a heavily weighted focus on military exploits where I would have enjoyed more details about his personal life and related stories. I'm not sure if this is a limitation on the source materials or a conscious decision by Freeman. In any case, I think this book would make a great introduction to Alexander the Great for anyone curious to know more.
stormhawk's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.25
Really good, quick biography. As a non-academic this was a perfect biography in that it was enough information without being crazy detailed. If I want more depth I can go find it from other sources. Only nitpicks is that I wish the body of the text would have more modern day location references. It was hard to know what part of the world the narrative was taking place without using the glossary.