The Campaigns of Alexander

Customer Reviews

• Arrian the flatterer

  A very important source on Alexander the Great. His book is just so comprehensive - it details everything you would need to know - the only problem is that it's quite biased in Alexander's favour. At times Arrian does describe Alexander as if he was a god. So yeah, lots of detailed accounts of battles and other interesting moments, and therefore a good starting point for researching Alexander, however you should also check out Curtius Rufus.

• Great historical original

  Such books are very rare. They are written by almost contemporary to that ancient time historians. Other modern books and movies are based on that original information which such books like this have. It's very interesting to read this book. I had a feeling as if I was in those ancient times while I was reading it. I am so glad that such masterpieces survived all those thousands years of different civilizations.

• The defining ancient biography of Alexander

  When I review translations of works I rate them on the importance of the work and the relative quality of translation. I deduct points if there are better translations available.
  
  The quality of translation here is outstanding. The work is accessible and the general tone found in other Greek historiographies is left intact. The book is very readable and worthy of study. I am not aware of any better translation or edition than this one.
  
  This work also is of great importance. Arrian's biography used the sources available to the author and fashioned a careful account of Alexander's conquests. The attention to detail is very good and Arrian discusses conflicts of the sources honestly. His work here has become the single most important ancient account of Alexander's campaigns to survive to the modern era. Its importance in its field cannot be overestimated.
  
  Highly recommended.

• Alexander, what more needs to be said?

  Arrian was a Roman official and military man. He had access to many of the original documents pertaining to Alexander, documents now long gone.
  
  In may ways Arrian is an appologist for Alexander and it is clear that he had great admiration for him. Like all men Alexander had flaws and Arrian is probably less willing to discuss those flaws than some other writiers might have been. Nevertheless, this is THE reference on Alexander and those of us who are fascianted by this man are going to want to read Arrians writings. Arrian writes a very readable book and this translation is, so far as my limited Greek can ascertain, very well done. This is not only history but an adventure book, and being written by one so close to the actual events is in itself a historical document, one that many readers will find difficult to put down. It is history without ponderousness and deserves the highest praise.
  
  I recommend that anyone who has a yearn for adventure pick up this book and go with Alexander to Persia. You won't want to miss the trip.
  
  Kindest Regards,
  Bob

• Great Resource

  I have been using this as a source for a class I am taking on Alexander. It is remarkably accessible and I am very pleased with it.