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Title: Alexander of Macedon by Harold Lamb ISBN: 0-523-23877-0 Publisher: Pinnacle Books Pub. Date: 01 July, 1976 Format: Paperback List Price(USD): $1.50 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (3 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: His big fat Greek biography
Comment: Harold Lamb's Alexander of Macedon sheds much light on the journey of the man, but little on the man himself....
In comparison to Mary Renault's biography; The Nature of Alexander; which I have also read,....I don't necessary find 'fault' per se, as I don't feel that this book offered much insight into Alexander himself. While Renault romanticized the man; postulating on his actions stemming from decisions made with his heart;.Lamb's treatise on the same subject matter seems devoid of almost all human feeling whatsoever, and seems to paint Alexander as more of a "brat king' and 'barbarian'; forging ahead by knee-jerk reactions to conquer all of the Hellenistic world, instead of leading with his heart or with a higher purpose in mind.
The most lasting impression I think that I get from this book is that it is a "man's man" version of Alexander's life...his same-sex affairs are downplayed to the point of non-existence (typical of the time the book was written in) an explanation of his love of Hephaistion and their friendship is negligible, to say the least, considering his grief upon Hephaistion's death; his choice of Roxanne as his wife is woefully underdeveloped, knowing the reaction it provoked from the Macedonians...all of these key elements of his life are just...missing.
What the book has in abundance is bloody battles, suicide, rape, murder, treachery....with little human feeling.
Relying almost solely on writings from the time, and historical fact, Lamb blazes that trail of the voyage of Alexander following the murder of his father, Phillip of Macedon. And for that I give him high marks. But while the 'story' offers *some* insight into Alexander's early life, it is unfortunately very little. Following the outset of his quest, the glimpse into Alexander's extraordinary and all-too-brief life becomes merely a chronological description of his travels.
There is much to be learned about this man, who at such a young age had so much responsibility thrust upon him. His loves, his losses, his likes and dislikes;...none of this is really explored in a book which bears his name as the title. Alexander seemingly strove to unite the peoples of the Greek lands; but in reality alienated his own, at least according to Lamb. But Lamb does not offer enough insight into Alexander himself to deliver an explanation to the reader.
While I enjoyed the book for the overall insight it gave to the journey itself, it feel flat, for me, in offering any new understanding of Alexander.
Rating: 4
Summary: Approaches "I, Claudius" brilliance
Comment: Alexander of Macedon and Alexander the Great are one of the same. This biographical narrative traces his life and conquests from his youth to his death. The book is further divided into three more books, the first of which shines the most brightly. Lamb's expert prose and brilliant insights lay bare the forces and persons that shape the core of Alexander's being. These first 150 or so pages is the only book I have found to approach the genius of another biographical narrative, "I, Claudius." Unfortunately as Alexander's conquests continue, his motivations become more and more obtuse until it seems he has no reasons at all. I understand Mr. Lamb wanted to rely strictly on historical references which primarily come from fellow officers of Alexander, with no writing of his own, so we cannot know for sure what drove his actions.
Full of action, battles, murders, suicides, robberies, rape, pillages, political alliances and deception it makes for an incredible life and a great read.
Lamb dispells many of the myths of the Alexander legend, but the mystery of Alexander's later internal life remains unsolved.
Rating: 5
Summary: the great!!
Comment: this is a must read. harold lamb is brilliant. i have read other titles by this author and must say this is one of his best. alexander was quite a man.
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Title: Cyrus the Great by Harold Lamb ISBN: 0523239084 Publisher: Pinnacle Books Pub. Date: September, 1976 List Price(USD): $1.50 |
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Title: The Persian Expedition by Xenophon, Rex Warner, George Cawkwell ISBN: 0140440070 Publisher: Viking Press Pub. Date: January, 1970 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Theodora and the Emperor by Harold Lamb ISBN: 0523402007 Publisher: Pinnacle Books Pub. Date: 01 December, 1977 List Price(USD): $1.50 |
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