Alexander the Great

By: Arrian

Narrated by: Charlton Griffin

Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's 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....

Lucius Flavius Arrianus, or Arrian (circa A.D. 85 to 90 - circa 146) was born in Nicomedia, a Greek town which at the time was a part of the vast Roman Empire. It is fairly certain that Arrian's ancestors had been citizens for some time because his family was prominent, and he himself seems to have held an important priesthood as a young man. Arrian studied Stoic philosophy with the famous Epictetus and has left us an excellent book on the subject based on his notes. One of his fellow students was the future emperor, Hadrian, whose close friend he remained in later life. Arrian was a wealthy man with a great sense of responsibility. He put his considerable abilities to work on behalf of society and served with distinction as a senator and as a military commander. In fact, he was the first Greek ever to command Roman legions. He later served as governor of Cappadocia. In his spare moments, Arrian wrote many important books, of which his Anabasis of Alexander is by far the most popular.

©2004 Audio Connoisseur (P)2004 Audio Connoisseur

Surprisingly good

I have to admit, I wasn't expecting this book to be as good as it turned out to be but I was definitely pleasantly surprised. It was well written, well done and I really enjoyed the narrator too.

Another great listen!

The unabridged classics from Audio Connoisseur, narrated by Charlton Griffin, are always a joy. Most of us busy 'history buffs' will never pick up this work by Arrian, so why not download this enjoyable audiobook?

Narrator somehow finally grew on me

Classic story. wish it were dramatized. the narrator is tolerable, which for audible means he's the equivalent of Al Pacino. I like to listen to audiobooks when I go to sleep, but sometimes I can't because the reader is bad quality, or breathes too loudly or you can hear him licking his lips or something. Griffin has none of these ticks and does a great job pronouncing ancient Greek and Persian cities and names

Excellent book, just stick with it.

It was so slow to develop that I stopped listening and went on to another audiobook after the first two CDs, but fortunately, I came back later to hear more. As it turns out, the first three Cds were slow, and at times even brutally boring, but the remainder of the book, starting roughly with Alexander's entry into Persia, was outstanding. If you like history, don't miss this book!

This book is a time capsule, a peek into history

This audio book may not be for every one, but I thought it was fantastic. I liked the tone and speech of the narrator, the word usage of the translator and the style of the author. I listened to it several times and most likely will again. It is good history and a great story with very interesting accounts of incredible feats like capturing the Island City of Tyre, which had been unconquerable for centuries. I loved Alexander's response to the request of Darius (the king of Persia) to get his mother released, "If you want your mother, your wife and your children back, stand and fight for them and do not run away." As a leader of men, the only other person I would put in his league is George Washington.

What really stood out to me the most was the words and the way Arrian described Alexander's advance. Through out the book he emphasizes the speed with which Alexander moved from battle to battle. Sentences like "upon hearing this news Alexander was on the march again with greater rapidity than ever." Of the Persians you hear sentences like "when they saw that it was Alexander himself that was upon them, they incontinently fled." This exactly fits the "he goat which came from the west on the face of the whole earth and touched not the ground" of Daniel's vision. "There was no power in the ram (Persia) to stand before him. There was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. Therefore the he goat waxed very strong; and when he was strong, the great horn was broken." Alexander died within a year or two after conquering the world.

The writer of the appendix, much of which I did not agree with, was right in pointing out how Alexander's conquest, by giving the world a common language, prepared it for the introduction and spreading of the good news about God's salvation through Jesus Christ.

How could you not be amazed?

Not Impressed

Would you try another book from Arrian and/or Charlton Griffin?

Probably not. It was hard to stay engaged in the writing style, voice, and overall content

Was Alexander the Great worth the listening time?

Some parts were interesting, but overall I found boring

A treat

A well read, well written history of Alexander. I give it the highest regard; the language used in its presentation is superior to the vast majority of written biographies.

Wonderful !

I enjoy anything about Alexander, and especially excellent books. This one falls into that category. The narrator Charlton Griffin did and excellent job with the interpretation. I also suggest Alexander by Harold Lamb, it is also narrated by Charlton Griffin. If you are into historical fiction I would also recommend The Virtues of War by Steven Pressfield, narrated by John Lee. I have all three in my library and have listened to them more than once. You will not be wasting your points on any of these books. However this one is a MUST.

Enjoyed this stoic historians take on Alexander

Solid bio of Alexander. Enjoyed this stoic historians take on Alexander's life. Arrian was a true historian giving us multiple takes and offering us his educated opinion on which were most likely and which were spurious. Up there with Polybius and Herodotus as far as my favorites go regarding ancient historians.

Alexanders life was epic. Always enjoy reading about it.

Great narration ! Captivating

I have listened to this audio over a dozen times. The description is vivid and the accent of reader is fit for the tale. Highly recommend over other books on Alexander which are sort of boring.