The Virtues of War

A Novel of Alexander the Great

By: Steven Pressfield

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

I have always been a soldier. I have known no other life. So begins Alexander’s extraordinary confession on the eve of his greatest crisis of leadership.

By turns heroic and calculating, compassionate and utterly merciless, Alexander recounts with a warrior’s unflinching eye for detail the blood, the terror, and the tactics of his greatest battlefield victories. Whether surviving his father’s brutal assassination, presiding over a massacre, or weeping at the death of a beloved comrade-in-arms, Alexander never denies the hard realities of the code by which he lives: the virtues of war.

But as much as he was feared by his enemies, he was loved and revered by his friends, his generals, and the men who followed him into battle. Often outnumbered, never outfought, Alexander conquered every enemy the world stood against him - but the one he never saw coming....

©2004 Steven Pressfield (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc.

Fantastic Listen

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book as the narrator brings the test to life. I have learned applicable lessons for my every day from this tome as well as interesting knowledge which I didn't possess before. I highly recommend you listen to this book on Alexander the Great.

On how the emperor was greedy.

I loved on how Alexzander was able to get the best of his men’s respect and kindness.

Concepts of war

I throughly enjoyed Mr. Pressfield's superb ability to introspectively describe the internal conflicts at the foundation of war and conquest.

Simply astonishing

Amazingly written. Perfect detail and level of commitment to no end. I recommend this read to anyone who aspires to be a leader.

STELLAR!

What did you love best about The Virtues of War?

Amazing audio book. Narration is very well done, and the story is very intriguing. If you know even a little about Alexander the Great, you will be very familiar with the subject matter. Talks a lot about his generals, major campaigns, etc.

Author takes a unique approach in that while it is historical, he took some liberties with the some of the characters/events that take place. He states this from the very beginning as well.

Great book!

highly recommended

Pressfield writes a great story around forgotten times. the narrator is very good and keeps you riveted. just wish it was longer.

Great Read and Good Narrator

Steven Pressfield has delivered another military nonfiction that is comparable to that of Gates of Fire.

I was there!

This incredible book is described as a novel, but I see it as an “Unauthorized Autobiography.” Pressfield slid away from creating a biography by fictionalizing the sinews of continuity to the historic facts, birthing a whole Alexander. The new creation writes to us of his worries, his strengths, his thought process and his obsession with victory. We find a man: embracing his errors, to learn from them; weeping for losses for which he feels responsible; redoubling his efforts after victories; and overwhelmed with his duty to fulfill his father’s vision. After all, he was a man, not “part-god” with a preordained destiny to conquer the known world. He was one of us mortals, perhaps imbued with a single-minded purpose, but still a man with all the shortcomings and foibles that entails. But simultaneously we watch him struggle to be loved, anxious to befriend his foes and willing to bend his habits, customs and even religion to understand and fit in with the people he conquered. We find a complex individual struggling to attend to the myriad voices whispering in his head. His father, his mother, his pseudo-socialistic teachers, his heritage, his friends - all influencing his decisions. Just like us. Just like me.
His strategy in battle, peace and life are not monotheistic. This book created a man I know. A person I work with. A neighbor with amazing accomplishments.
If you ever wanted to know a great human, read this book. Your discovery will embiggin* your life.
*Ask a Simpsons” fan, or Goggle it if you don’t know.

Pressfield is #1

Go also watch “kings and generals” on YouTube to see these battle searching the 2 - 3 and 2 hour documentaries. Listen also to Pressfield non-fiction books: “the war of art” “do the work” etc.

Humanity and Strategy

I am stunned at Pressfield's portrayal of Alexander the Great. It shows him as a vicious champion hell bent on victory, but also a man with a strict set of values that he would not let himself or any of his men violate. It shows the relation between passion and charisma. And through detailed (but still very engaging) description of field tactics, it shows the genius of the maneuvers that Alexander performed. Do you want to be a god? Read this book and ask Alexander. This is Pressfield doing what he does best.