Everitt’s is the latest and one of the most engaging [biographers of Alexander] ... the immediacy of the storytelling, gives Everitt’s account its infectious sense of narrative momentum. Alexander the Great won’t unseat the scholarship of magnificent Alexander biographies like those by Robin Lane Fox or Peter Green. But its energy is unflagging, including the verve with which it tackles that teased final mystery about the specific cause of Alexander’s death. Even readers well-versed in Alexander’s story will be fascinated all over again.
Everitt, an expert storyteller, has written a riveting narrative that restores Alexander to his own context—and takes a whack at solving the remaining mysteries ... [Everitt] takes us on a spirited passage through the ancient world, from the Balkans to South Asia, with effective explanations of battles and sieges and a useful description of the ordinary Greek soldier’s experience ... Everitt is particularly perceptive about the impact of Alexander’s charismatic parents, as well as the snake-pit royal court where he was raised.
Anthony Everitt's understanding of the world of Alexander the Great does better at solving the mystery of the man than in solving his death. The prose does well as education and entertainment although the author acts informal at times, such as some of his terminology and in the chapter headings.
Everitt’s new, no-nonsense presentation of Alexander’s life draws on the same collection of ancient sources all other biographers have consulted and avoids much re-interpretation. What happened is reported; why it happened, not so much. The particular problem for Alexandrian literature—that the conqueror’s father, Philip, is more intriguing—is neither acknowledged nor suppressed. The only complaint some may have is that, sans spin, Everitt’s prose can be demanding.
... enjoyable and highly readable ... Frequent excerpts from classical authors and asides into Hellenic culture provide hooks for beginning readers to explore further. But other details will niggle at more serious readers of the period: Everitt struggles with the difference between xenia (guest-friendship rules enforced by Zeus) and philia (committed love felt between friends) and imputes too much explanatory power to erastes/eromenos relationships (a form of pederasty governed by nuanced social conventions). Yet the only significant flaw is Everitt’s emphasis on speculating about Alexander’s untimely and surprising death, which he considers compellingly, but his conclusions are ultimately neither novel nor substantiated better than those of other biographers, ancient or modern ... This work will appeal to fans of 'Great Men' biographies, initiates in classical studies, and Everitt’s numerous followers.
... a biography that reads as easily as a novel ... In order to provide a full picture of this fascinating figure, the author seamlessly weaves in comments from friends and foes alike ... Everitt has a wealth of anecdotes and two millennia of histories to work with, and he delivers and interprets them flawlessly ... Nearly unparalleled insight into the period and the man make this a story for everyone.
Ancient history expert Everitt attacks the young Macedonian king’s astonishing conquests on three continents—Africa, Asia, and Europe—with relish. He starts off slow, with lots of background on family and context, but kicks things into gear when Alexander starts marching ... Everitt evenhandedly reminds readers of Alexander’s failings, too ... Everitt carefully discusses the controversy surrounding Alexander’s premature death at age 32, including a convincing probable cause. This detailed account of the intriguing ancient military genius will fascinate military history readers eager to learn more about Alexander’s motivation and the lifelong fearlessness that propelled him to near-mythic status.
