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.

incredible book!

I really enjoyed this book. there are chapters where I highlighted and made notes on every page. the worst part of listening to this book on audible was I kept having to pull over to highlight in the kindle version.

There are lessons in here I learned as an NCO in the Army, and notes I plan to pass onto the next generation of Soldiers. I couldn't help but notice the parallels between Alexander's army and our own in Afghanistan.

Few books have made me stop and think as much as this one.

Fantastic book

Listening to this has inspired me to research more about this man and his accomplishments.

Presfield’s books also never disappoint in their composition.

Combining a superb author and a captivating story make for hours of enjoyment.

Highly recommend!

Heroic.

This story stirs in me a feeling I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s beautiful.

Perfect

You would be hard pressed to find not only a well written book, by an author who's works are equal to their task in title, but also have someone read them in such a way fitting to their content.

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.