Although Arrian is not always reliable, he's what we have. He brought to together a number of sources to write this account which goes more or less linearly through all of Alexander's major battles, the rebellions, and his death.

The text sometimes includes dialogue that is almost certainly made up but is also quite fun. Likewise the descriptions of the battles and the numbers of troops on each side. Arrian doesn't omit the legends either, like the 'untying' of the Gordian knot.

This translation is magnificent. It is accurate and utterly readable, with minimal but effective notes. If you have great interest in Alexander this is the book to read. This is what all the historians base their accounts on and it is sure to be the basis for the upcoming films.

I thoroughly enjoyed Arrian's account of Alexander, which I found to be lively and readable in this translation by De Selincourt. I think this book should be read in more courses on "Greek Thought and Literature" and "Western Civ." and the like, both because Arrian shows how the tradition of fine Greek historiography stayed alive well into the second century A.D., and also because his very thorough account proves to be a natural continuation of the stories told by Herodotus and Thucydides. This book completes the historical narrative of the rise of Greek civilization, so that the era of Athenian hegemony can be connected with the beginning of the Hellenistic period in the 4th century B.C. -- the true triumph Greek civilization, in my opinion.

After all, if not for Alexander, would we care nearly so much about the Greeks? Alexander subdued the world from Illycrium to the Indus valley, bringing Greece to the East and the East to the Greeks. Without his conquests, the Greek language and culture would never have become so widespread or influential. He paved the way for the Romans, and ultimately, for the Christians after him. This brilliant General-King was therefore the creator of the history, not only of his own times, but also of the times which followed him.

Towards the beginning of the book, Arrian laments on behalf of Alexander that this greatest conquerer of all time had yet to have his deeds written down in a manner which was suited to his magnificence. Achilles had his Homer, but Alexander's exploits remained unsung. Arrian therefore boldly and boastfully steps forward, confident that his literary talents are a match for his subject. Let the reader judge Arrian's (or De Selincourt's) poetic gifts as he may, but the story itself guarantees its greatness.

Arrian gives us a picture of the "total" Alexander. Though he constantly praises his every virtue he never forgets to detail his faults. Slow going and a bit bewildering at first but moves to a fast paced and exciting end. Highly recommended.

To review a book on such a great man and great book takes an open mind, to some alexander was a god and to others he was a kin to Hitler. This book was translated from Greek and roman authors but mainly by the greek historian Arrian. Born some four hundred years after the death of alexander arrian spent his life"s work writing account of alexander"s campaigns. Arrian refers to the Royal diaries of alexander, they tell of of a man of divine descent, a god, decendent of heracles, a brave man, a king who would fight with his men in battle. Alexander was born in Maceddonia in 356 B.C. and came to the throne on the murder of his father Philip in 336 B.C. What he did then was to conquer somethink like two million square miles, covering over eleven thousand miles in eight years. This book tells us how we took the persian empire and defeating Darius at the battle of Issus out numberd seven to one. Nearly thirteen years later this same young man, still only thirty-three years old died at babylon, in the heart of the persian empire. Brave to the point of rashness, passionate to the point of murder, a military genius, administrator and empire builder, but above all am inspiring leader of men.