Here are some suggestions for books, biographies, and travel guides if you would like to read up on Alexander the Great. The books are in no particular recommended order.
This is not supposed to be a full and comprehensive list, just a selection of the best or most interesting works available. They are not required reading!
UK visitors interested in purchasing these books, may click on the main title or picture links. US visitors wishing to buy, please click on ‘In USA’
Alexander’s Path: from Caria to Cilicia In USA Freya Stark. 1958 Stark travels along the south coast of Turkey in Alexander’s footsteps.
Alexander the Great. The Hunt for a New Past In USA Paul Cartledge. 2004. Probably the best of the recent books, an up to date biog.
In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great : A Journey from Greece to Asia In USA Michael Wood. 1997 Well illustrated and written companion to Wood’s documentary series.
Alexander the Great In USA Robin Lane Fox. 1973 Popular and accessible biography, by the academic who served as the consultant on Oliver Stone’s movie.
The Genius of Alexander the Great In USA N. G. L. Hammond. 1997 A defence of Alexander’s character and greatness, against "detractors" by one of the leading Alexander scholars.
Alexander the Great: Man of Action, Man of Spirit In USA Pierre Briant 1994 A pocket guide to Alexander. Colourful and well illustrated.
Alexander the Great In USA Richard Stoneman. 1997. Excellent and small introduction.
Alexander of Macedon, 356-323 B.C. A Historical Biography In USA Peter Green. 1992 Comprehensive and by an eminent scholar.
Conquest and Empire: The Reign of Alexander the Great
In USA A. B.Bosworth. 1988. Perhaps the most authoritative scholar currently working on Alexander, and the leading proponent of the "realist" (as opposed to "romantic") interpretation of Alexander.
The Nature of Alexander In USA Mary Renault.1975 A popular, illustrated biography, by the celebrated Alexander novelist.
Alexander the Great In USA Nicholas Sekunda, John Warry, Angus McBride (Illustrator) 2004 Part of the Osprey military history series, useful maps and illustrations.
The Generalship of Alexander the Great In USA J. F. C. Fuller, 1958 reprinted Da Capo Press, paperback edition, 1989. The classic account of Alexander’s military campaigns, by a British general and military historian.
ANCIENT SOURCES
There are five major surviving primary sources on Alexander.
English-language translations of Arrian, Plutarch, and
Quintus Curtius Rufus are widely available.
Arrian’s The Campaigns of Alexander In USA is considered the most sober, accurate, but apologetic source.
Quintus Curtius Rufus’ The History of Alexander In USA is considered the racy, sensational more tabloid account.
The biographer of many of Greece and Rome’s leading lights, Plutarch’s Life of Alexander In USA is full of fascinating stories and insights into his own time as much as Alexander’s character.
Justin is available in a paperback translation (Books 7-12 cover the reigns of Philip and Alexander) by J.C. Yardley, see Justin. Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus In USA
The only translation of Diodorus Siculus’s Library of History In USA covering the whole of Alexander’s campaigns is in the Loeb Classical Library vol.8.
GENERAL BOOKS ON TURKEY
For suggested books on Turkey, its history and culture, please see one of our regional reading lists such as Carian Turkey reading list
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