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The Nature of Alexander
by Mary Renault
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$13.00 |
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$10.14 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
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$2.86 (22%) |
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Paperback
Publisher: Pantheon
ISBN13: 9780394738253
Condition: NEW
Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
The acclaimed biography of Alexander the Great.
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| Amazing Guy |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Where is Alexander when we need him...now!
After reading the big-long bio of Howard Hughes I'm thinking he may have been a reincarnation of Alexander.
Too bad the real story of this phenomenal person is not taught in schools, youth of today would be much inspired by the philosophy and life of Alexander. He was certainly one-of-a-kind. Compared to the vapid, lying, greedy "leaders" of today he truly was a "god".
After reading the the two novels about him, also by Mary Renault, this was a fitting end to my quest to know more about the Alexander that piqued my interest when I happened on Oliver Stone's interview talking about making the movie.
PS - anyone who sees the movie should watch the 'special feature' with Mr. Stone first, to really appreciate the scope of his endeavor and the importance of Alexander. Oh yeah...and read M.R.'s books too.
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| Fire from Heaven |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This is one of the many outstanding books written by Ms.Renault.She depicted Alexander as all of us would imagine him.Handsome, loving, fierce,mercyful and great.Although so many books have been written about Alexander,all in all we will never know if as a person he really indeed was that Great.
Nadia
Maryland.
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| Mary Renaults's Pet Alex |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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Mary Renault has always had a thing for Alexander. With her lesbian background in mid-century UK I guess this is not surprising. We have her to thank for much of the current fascination with Alexander's alleged homosexualty and such. This is a compelling work nonetheless, and while the bias and emphasis are obvious and perhaps a bit annoying at times, we can forgive Ms. Renault for being a bit over zealous in her passions. What she tries to do is provide a rationale for some of Alexander's actions. Sometimes she can be faulted for reading too much into what limited information we have on him. Still, this is a passionate look at the man and his times. There are many Alexander's for us to ponder. Perhaps because he was so many things to so many different people, and because of the limited documentation many scholars are free to pursue their own views on what he might have been. Mary Renault is no exception in this regard. To me Alexander is primarily the Great Captain of history. He was never defeated in battle, his conquests ranged far and wide, and his tactical abilities were supreme. He should be remembered for this brilliance as opposed to his sexual proclivities which are important only for those who have certain aggendas to pursue. True Alexander had many different sides to his character it seems, and his short but full life is packed with all sorts of fascinating events. His conquests can be divided into many distinct phases toward his character. Was Alexander a liberalizing influnence who spread Hellenism for the benefit of mankind, or just a thuggish tyrant who ran amok in the decadent Persian Empire. The verdict shall remain open on this and many other questions involving his life. For sure this is a very pro-Alex bio. Renault can see little wrong with even some of his most controversial actions. But her writing style is grand and elegant, and even if slanted, is perhaps no more so than some of the revivisionist bios we encounter today. Alexander shall forever suffer from extreme view points. The nature of his life and achievements seems to make this so even in our own time. Renault is good at possibly reading into his thought processes at certain key moments of his life, and she paints a compelling portrait of his sense of mystery and pathos which ultimately contributed to his demise as much as anything else might have in the end.
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| Very enjoyable read... |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I'm one of the fortunate ones who have a hardback edition with the 4 page fold-out full color map of Alexander's travels (hehe).
Mary Reneaul has Alexander down pat, as far as I'm concerned. I admit I'm an Alexander enthusiast (pro-Alexander as opposed to, say, Bosworth's or Green's anti-Alexander). If you're from the anti- camp, you won't enjoy this book.
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| Bivouacked Atop Babylon |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Tanks, personnel carriers and backhoes are destroying the Palace where Alexander lay dying while his general's fought the "richest" sword fight in history. The outcome produced the Ptolometric reign in Egypt ending with Cleopatra and the Roman Empire.
No one can properly understand history without reading this book or one like it; Bucephalus, the Gordian Knot, Oracles, Mythology and a mud hut propped up outside the palace wall with Airistotle as a teacher of Engineering and Medicine. A young student with the "world" on his mind and an army trained with the descipline of the Phalanxs Movement, today's "Dress Right Dress," order and courage.
I don't know another book like it! To many, one of the top ten books read in their life time.
My hat is off to Mary Renault.
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