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Philip and Alexander

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Philip and Alexander

By: Adrian Goldsworthy
Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
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About this listen

A joint biography that investigates how, during their lifetimes, Philip and Alexander transformed Macedon from a weak kingdom into a globe-spanning empire.

During his short life Alexander the Great carved out an empire stretching from the Balkans to Central India, re-drawing the map of the ancient world. Yet Alexander represents only half of the story, for his success was not just the product of his own genius, restless energy and ambition, but was built on decades of effort by his father. History has portrayed Philip II of Macedon as an old man, one-eyed and limping, whose convenient assassination allowed Alexander the Great to come to power. But there was far more to him than this. Through decades of hard fighting, clever diplomacy and sheer determination, Philip unified his country and conquered Greece.

As authoritative as it is accessible, Philip and Alexander is the latest in a much-praised sequence of essential histories of the ancient world from a master historian.

©2020 Adrian Goldsworthy (P)2020 W F Howes Ancient Historical Military Ancient History Ancient Greece Biography

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All stars
Most relevant
I found it very interesting for amount of knowledge regarding Philip of Macedonian.
He made the point that without Philip and his reshaping the army Alexander would not have been titled the great.

Philip

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Well narrated and very well written this is the best resource on Philip and Alexander I have come across.

Everything is explained in great detail without feeling tedious and the narration is very clear and calm. Regardless of how much you might know about the two, or if you are new to Greek history this is a great listen and a must for any history fan in my opinion.

What Makedonia managed was a product of the two and their man, and this book will show you how and to some extent, why.

I certainly congratulate Adrian Goldsworthy for it and Barnaby Edwards for the narration.


Best book on Philip and Alexander

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I’ve always been interested in Alexander the Great. From reading about him as a child to watching Oliver Stones movie I loved everything about him. However, recently I had forgotten my interest until I watch the new Netflix show, which in fairness is not great, but it inspired me to pick up another Alexander the Great book. I’m really glad I chose this one.

I really like how this book delved into not only Alexander but Philip. It really changes the way you perceive Alexander when you see Philip’s achievements first. I enjoyed finding out about both men and this books was really knowledgeable as well as being written excessively for people who aren’t historians.

I would say that is your aren’t one for historical battles and formation this one might not be for you but personally I really like that sort of thing. I also liked how this book portrayed both men fairly. I have often read previous works where Philip is portrayed as a drunken invalid and his achievements forgotten to make Alexander even more impressive. This book does not do that. Moreover, the last months of Alexander’s life are often portrayed as him becoming a deranged drunkard. While this book mentioned this I think it deals with the idea of hyper fixation on these events due to his death very well. Lastly, I liked the way Alexander’s relationship with Hephaestion was acknowledged and the possibilities discussed. Too often it is either ignored all together.

Overall I’d give this book a 4 there are a few times this book can become a bit of a slog but it’s well worth getting through to further your understanding of two great men.

A very insightful and interesting book!

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One of the best books I’ve ever read / listened to. Balanced, detailed but not boring, this books tells the epic story of Philip and Alexander in a gripping way. I was hooked from the start.

The reader is also amazing, even at 1.2x speed

Unmissable

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Who would have thought that over 20 hours of a recording full of unfamilar names and much military detail would hold my attention and be so engaging. The enjoyment s greated aded by the excellent narrator.

Surprisingly engaging

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