HomeGroupsTalkMoreZeitgeist
Search Site
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.

Results from Google Books

Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.

Loading...

Alexander the Great (1953)

by John Gunther

Other authors: Isa Barnett (Illustrator)

Series: World Landmark Books (W-2)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingConversations
398563,136 (3.53)None
Some say he was the greatest warrior in history, building an empire that extended from Europe to Africa and on to India and Central Asia. In a stirring narrative, famed historian John Gunther tells the story of Alexander the Great who, at only age 21, became King of Macedonia and set off on a 12-year journey to conquer the known world and extend the boundaries of Greek civilization. Gunther takes us from Alexander’s boyhood to his victory over the Persian Empire, and, in vivid detail, describes Alexander’s battles, as well as the palace intrigues that surrounded him. … (more)
Loading...

Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.

No current Talk conversations about this book.

Showing 5 of 5
This is an older book targeted to an upper-elementary reading level. Although the topic was complex, the narrative was easy to follow. Both Alexander's strengths and weaknesses were acknowledged, as well as the stark contrasts between his behavior at different points throughout his life. However, what may have been an effort to make Alexander easier to understand ended up being somewhat stylistically jarring. The author often made sweeping generalizations ("like all" and "of course") and occasionally drew comparisons to other historical figures and events, which a young reader may not be familiar with yet. Despite its faults, it was still an interesting read.

Excerpts from the book:

"Alexander's end was that of a man who, for good reasons or bad, had conquered almost the entire world, but who had never been able to conquer himself. The conquest of self is the greatest victory of all, but Alexander, even when he was at the height of his power, had never been able to achieve it." (p 170)

"There are plenty of black marks to be placed against Alexander, and the list of his cruelties is long. But he was certainly, beyond doubt, one of the most extraordinary young men who ever lived. Whether or not he actually thought in terms of a world state, of the unity of all mankind as brothers under a single government, hardly matters. What does matter that, whether he planned it that way or not, he did more to unify the known world than any human being who had ever lived." (p 176-177) ( )
  buddingnaturalist | Apr 18, 2021 |
Alexander the Great was one of the greatest conquers in the world. When he was a little boy conquering was all that he thought of. Even as a boy he proved to be very special, he tamed a wild horse when he realized that the horse was scared of its own shadow. He rode it every, even when the horse was weak and old. Alexander's father was tired of Alexander's mother, so he married someone else. The mother was extremely mad. Alexander loved both his mom and his dad, but his mother turned Alexander against his father. Later on he was eventually murdered by one of his own men and Alexander became king.
When he was an adult he left home and conquered almost all of Europe, India, and some of Asia. He never returned home. At Asia he was injured badly, only two of his men were with him and they were on their way home. His army lost its motivation, they've been away for so long that they wanted to go home and not fight any more. He lost a lot of his friends and he just turned cruel and mad. One night he ended up drinking too much and got sick. He got better, ate meat, and got worse. He kept going back and forth until he eventually died. At his last few breaths he claimed he wanted to be born at the strongest of his cities. ( )
  AlexanderL.B4 | Oct 24, 2018 |
I really liked Alexander the Great before reading this book. But this author couldn't seem to make up his mind what Alexander was really like, continuously contradicting himself and saying how 'merciful' and 'bloodthirsty' Alexander was. While I'm sure it has real information, this book is just badly written. At least it doesn't take long to read. ( )
  BrynDahlquis | Nov 28, 2011 |
This is an old school book that I acquired from my grandparents (I think). While it introduces the history of Alexander the Great in a wonderful young adult novel fashion, I was suprised at the moral lessons that included. The book clear state that certain personality traits were "evil" or "wrong" and others were "ideal", In one instance they even pointed out that drunk people have boring conversation. Not only did I learn a little about Alexander's life, I had a few chuckles along the way. ( )
  jasmyn9 | Feb 27, 2010 |
356-323 BC
  wellreadkid | May 13, 2017 |
Showing 5 of 5
no reviews | add a review

» Add other authors

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
John Guntherprimary authorall editionscalculated
Barnett, IsaIllustratorsecondary authorall editionsconfirmed

Belongs to Series

You must log in to edit Common Knowledge data.
For more help see the Common Knowledge help page.
Canonical title
Original title
Alternative titles
Original publication date
People/Characters
Important places
Important events
Related movies
Epigraph
Dedication
First words
The boy stood out there in the hot sun.
Quotations
Wars are always tragedies, even if you win them.
Last words
Disambiguation notice
Publisher's editors
Blurbers
Original language
Canonical DDC/MDS
Canonical LCC

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English

None

Some say he was the greatest warrior in history, building an empire that extended from Europe to Africa and on to India and Central Asia. In a stirring narrative, famed historian John Gunther tells the story of Alexander the Great who, at only age 21, became King of Macedonia and set off on a 12-year journey to conquer the known world and extend the boundaries of Greek civilization. Gunther takes us from Alexander’s boyhood to his victory over the Persian Empire, and, in vivid detail, describes Alexander’s battles, as well as the palace intrigues that surrounded him. 

No library descriptions found.

Book description
Haiku summary

Current Discussions

None

Popular covers

Quick Links

Rating

Average: (3.53)
0.5
1 1
1.5
2 1
2.5 1
3 5
3.5
4 4
4.5
5 4

Is this you?

Become a LibraryThing Author.

 

About | Contact | Privacy/Terms | Help/FAQs | Blog | Store | APIs | TinyCat | Legacy Libraries | Early Reviewers | Common Knowledge | 203,203,161 books! | Top bar: Always visible