• The War That Killed Achilles

  • The True Story of Homer's Iliad and the Trojan War
  • By: Caroline Alexander
  • Narrated by: Michael Page
  • Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (213 ratings)

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The War That Killed Achilles

By: Caroline Alexander
Narrated by: Michael Page
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Publisher's summary

Few warriors, in life or literature, have challenged their commanding officer and the rationale of the war they fought as fiercely as did Homer's hero Achilles. Today, the Iliad is celebrated as one of the greatest works in literature, the epic of all epics; many have forgotten that the subject of this ancient poem was war - not merely the poetical romance of the war at Troy, but War, in all its enduring devastation.

Using the legend of the Trojan War, the Iliad addresses the central questions defining the war experience of every age. Is a warrior ever justified in challenging his commander? Must he sacrifice his life for someone else's cause? Giving his life for his country, does a man betray his family? How is a catastrophic war ever allowed to start - and why, if all parties wish it over, can it not be ended?

As she did with The Endurance and The Bounty, Caroline Alexander lets us see why a familiar story has had such an impact on us for centuries, revealing what Homer really meant. Written with the authority of a scholar and the vigor of a best-selling narrative historian, The War That Killed Achilles is a superb and utterly timely presentation of one of the timeless stories of our civilization.
©2009 Caroline Alexander (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about The War That Killed Achilles

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Everything is more beautiful because we are doomed

“Everything is more beautiful because we are doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again.”
― Homer, The Iliad

I KNOW that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight I do not hate
Those that I guard I do not love;
― W.B. Yeats, An Irish Airman foresees his Death

This was a nice look into the details of war using Homer's epic as a glass to explore. It is one of those books that is difficult to shelve. It isn't a history of the Trojan War. It isn't exactly an examination of the Iliad. It was like examining the corpse of a classic to better understand what killed the poem. I've read the Iliad a couple times now, but Alexander's skill is showing the reader just how modern this ancient epic was. Homer wasn't satisfied in providing another heroic epic tale. He subverted this form a bit. His hero wasn't interested in fighting, killing, or war (although there was probably none better at all of these things). Achilles wanted life, home, and family. This book moves through this tragic epic and allows Homer's words room to bang and bite. It wasn't a perfect book, but it was interesting and rather novel in its approach.

Having family that fought and returned different from war, it is valuable for me to read anything that will give me a glimpse or hint at the motives and nuances of those who fight, those who die, and those who return from battle. When I see politicians pimp war, I think of King Agamemnon. When I think of men broken, numbed by the loss of comrades, changed by the face of battle, I think of Achilles. And that is probably the biggest fault of this book. Alexander is clumsy in her modern war parallels. She tries to link Homer's take on the Trojan War and tragedy of Achilles to the Great War, Vietnam, and Iraq. These links and passages are clumsy and unnecessary. Any reader who is mildly aware of Iraq and Afghanistan will find their own links to Homer's great work.

There are certain classics that well deserve their place in the pantheon of great books and written art. Homer's poetry certainly belongs among the noble books written by both gods and men. Alexander's book is a worthy exploration of that great epic poem.

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27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Full of Surprises

Alexander has done a great service to those of us who struggled with The Iliad years ago in high school or college. Here she provides an interpretation which will leave everyone who reads it (or listens for that matter) wondering why our teachers did not make this work so interesting. Perhaps it is maturity that has caused me to return to this volume and this fine book orienting us to it.

The writing is good, the reading good, and the content well worth the effort.

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15 people found this helpful

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Less History, More Literary Extrapolation

Exactly as my title announces, there is less history to be had in this work than there is literary extrapolation. Some of it is very much historical, as this extrapolation comes from earlier tribes and traditions, keeping in mind there are hundreds of years between the Trojan War and Homer's Iliad. If you're looking for pure history, you won't find it here. There is history to be had, but it's more breakdown of the characters and themes that make The Iliad the great work that it is. As a literary analysis, this book is a home run. Having read both prose and poetic verse translations of the classic epic, this book operates more like a college thesis on Homer's tale. For the scholastically-inclined, this isn't a bad thing. I might even suggest that for those who couldn't finish The Iliad (you know who you are), this book might be the catalyst for higher appreciation that's needed.

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Recommended to Any and ALL Ancient History Lovers

Wow! I just finished listening to this book. I can't believe how much I learned about Homer's Iliad and the Trojan War.

This is a Five Star book. It is well worth the credit.

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8 people found this helpful

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Completely Brilliant!! Fresh and thrilling POV!

I am so blown away that someone could make this age-old story fresh and new!! Caroline Alexander has written an extraordinary book, with an in-depth look at the actual events of Homer's Iliad. Not the historicity of the events, though it is discussed, but she focuses on the importance and meaning of the language, characters and events in this epic story. I've studied it in high school, college, and have read innumerable books that look at every aspect of the Iliad. However, this author makes it all seem brand new! Setting each scene in the context of the contemporary meaning, Alexander's interpretation opens a whole new enchanting world to readers, reviving this tired tale to its intended glory! Anyone with a passing interest of ancient history will enjoy this audiobook.
I must admit when I think of the Iliad, I roll my eyes. I'm bored by the thought of Homer. I believed, until now, that I had heard all there was to say about the Trojan War and Achilles. But I was Completely Wrong! I will not roll my eyes again to anything written by this author! She is quite brilliant and fascinating! I think she could make the phone book seem interesting. :)

Michael Page is the PERFECT narrator. Making it a must buy!! I'm thrilled that decided to listen to this! A great surprise find!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Simply Excellent

This book is so informative and easy to listen to. A must buy for any fan of Greek History.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A good overview

If you have never read the Iliad this is a great introduction. But please do yourself a service and read the original.

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Great Narration; Poignant Evaluation of the Trojan War

There is nothing to dislike in this wonderful book or in the narration. You shan’t be disappointed.

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Brilliantly written, well-read

This book, an essay on the main theme of the Iliad provides an excellent summary of that poem. However, the author writes so well and so lovingly about the poem that I am now determined to read her translation of the whole Iliad. I hope dearly that I enjoy it as much as I enjoyed this book. If I do, I am in for a real treat.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

a bit dry

it was a bit dry and academic. I was hoping for more of a story.

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