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  • Alexander the Great

  • By: Arrian
  • Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
  • Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (66 ratings)
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Alexander the Great cover art

Alexander the Great

By: Arrian
Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
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Summary

This is the incredible story of the world's greatest conqueror, a man who single handedly changed the course of history...and who was worshipped as a god. There have been many attempts in the 2,300 years since Alexander's death to tell the epic story of this enigmatic soldier. His deeds read like the stuff of legends. Of all the chroniclers of Alexander, and there have been many famous ones, including Plutarch and Ptolemy, none have given us a clearer and truer account than the one by Arrian.

Writing 450 years after Alexander's death, Arrian had the advantage of hindsight and the unique ability to sift through important historical material which is now lost. He was able to judge the motives of many of the detractors of Alexander and to set the record straight in many instances. Alexander's aims have always been a topic of intense debate and this history will tell you what this brilliant tactician was trying to accomplish and why. From his first encounter with the Persians at the Battle of the Granicus to his last battle on the banks of the Indus River, thrill to the extraordinary exploits of Alexander the Great as he turns the ancient world upside down. After his passing, nothing would ever again be the same....

Translated by Aubrey de Sélincourt.

©2004 Audio Connoisseur (P)2004 Audio Connoisseur

What listeners say about Alexander the Great

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A well written and performed story!

Where does Alexander the Great rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Up high

What was one of the most memorable moments of Alexander the Great?

The speech Alexander gives to his men at the end of the story, when his men were upset of adopting Persian dress and culture. He talks about how his father and he had taken the Macedonians from the fields, took them to be the world's greatest armies.

Have you listened to any of Charlton Griffin’s other performances? How does this one compare?

He was so good, I decided to get his narration of Plutarch's lives. Very easy listen.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

One of histories greater conquerors.

Any additional comments?

I first became interested in Alexander the Great watching the BBC TV mini series "In the footsteps of Alexander the Great" where a historian retraces the steps of Alexander the Great on the ground, going to old battle sites and towns. It was here I was introduced to Arrian, even purchasing the book - but I never had the time to read it. So eventually being a long term Audible member, I overcame listening to some of the mundane books on Audible to finally come rest at the foot of this audiobook. I was very much dazzled with the book, in particulars with how it married up with the tv series. As the book went on, I would often Wikipedia or Googled elements of the stories to get a understanding of the people and place of Alexander. I drove my car 2 hrs in total in day, and listened to this book in part, however, and looked up parts of the story as I went along. I highly recommend this book, it was written by a Roman of Greek Origin at least several centuries after Alexander but he had direct access to Ptolemy's book on the history of Alexander, Ptolemy being one of Alexander's general. Unfortunately this book by Ptolemy has not survived. In the book Arrian not only writes, but critically analyses some of the legend of Alexander, reassuring the reader that what we get has some good element of fact on Alexander life story.


I would highly recommend this book to all, but to make the book an easier listen, I would recommend watching the TV series "In the footsteps of Alexander" which u can watch online for free. Then please come to this book, in particular this narrator, who does a fantastic job of capturing the character of the author, Arrian.

I would then recommend only after listening this book, the lectures by Professor Harl on Alexander the great available in Audible, which I am currently listening to.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Epic

Epic story of the greatest campaign and the most memorable general of them all. All the details of even the smallest campaign that we never heard of before. Great!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Speed run of his military campaign

Is very fast paced and gives a nice overview of his personal and military life

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good narration of Alexandra the Great

l loved the strategy used during his war. Seems to honour his fallen soldiers' families

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent in depth, detail. Beautiful read.

Listened to from the start immediately after finishing. So much detail and a must for understanding Alexander the man. Read amazingly well.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable listen!

Enjoyed the narration by Charlton, he has a good way of taking you right into the action and the scene at the time!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Superb

Would you listen to Alexander the Great again? Why?

There was so much to take in

What was one of the most memorable moments of Alexander the Great?

His ironic death

Which scene did you most enjoy?

battle with the egyptians

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Too many to mention

Any additional comments?

Very interesting story

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Disapointing performance

Would you try another book written by Arrian or narrated by Charlton Griffin?

I don't think so

Would you recommend Alexander the Great to your friends? Why or why not?

No, there must be better books to get a feel for the great man

How could the performance have been better?

Les pompous readerless anecdotical detailsWhat is the author trying to achieve?

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No, and i will probably not get to part 2, as my new credit has arrived...

Any additional comments?

It is my mistake I wanted something on Alexander the great and purchased this book without listening to the sample.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

I read this and enjoyed all of it! Alexander was fearless and compleatly driven towards his dreams, very intresting!

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