Alexander of Macedonia (also known as Alexander the Great and, by his enemies, as Alexander the Accursed) became a king at the age of twenty. While many thought him too young for the job and perhaps an easy target, he quickly proved his strength and courage.
In the eight years after he was crowned, he lead his army in a quest to conquer the known world. He defeated the Greeks and the Persians, was named Pharaoh of the Egyptians and travelled across India. He lead his army by example, leading the charge into battles and fighting hard, regularly sustaining injury.
Yet, for all his courage, Alexander was also a man of cruelty. He had anyone he considered a traitor or enemy put to death, and in his quest to rule the world left thousands of people dead or enslaved. Was he a great man or a ruthless tyrant?
Alexander the Great: Reckless Conqueror is an excellent exploration of the man, his times and his feats. Author Carole Wilkinson details his exploits with an emphasis on accuracy. She also offers a human insight into Alexander with fictionalised journal entries at the beginning of each chapter. Maps, illustrations and tables aid in understanding Alexander’s feats.
Wilkinson has a talent for making history accessible to young people.This offering will find a deserving home in school libraries and private collections.
Alexander the Great: Reckless Conqueror, by Carole Wilkinson
Black Dog Books, 2004