Alexander the Great, Killer of Men [Hardcover]

David J. Lonsdale (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 21, 2004

Alexander the Great was the most successful general of the classical era, perhaps in all of human history. His career was an unbroken run of successes from his first campaign as a cavalry commander at the age of sixteen until his death at the age of thirty-three. By the end of his life he controlled an empire that stretched from the Balkans to northern India, where he was worshipped as a god. David Lonsdale, who has studied Alexander's military techniques for more than ten years, explores in detail how Alexander developed and adapted the war machine created by his father, Philip, and shows how Alexander supplemented Greek infantry tactics with the innovative use of the specialist and elite units. Above all, he explains how Alexander perfected the cavalry charge as a battle-winning maneuver, based on relentless discipline and heroic leadership. Essential reading for those interested in the history of warfare, Alexander the Great, Killer of Men reflects the latest understanding of Alexander's strategy and fighting techniques. It describes a moment in time when the Macedonian army was the most important institution on earth and its young, terrifying commander was the fixed point around which the history of the world revolved.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This pedantic and repetitious study of one of history's greatest military leaders by British military historian Lonsdale adds little to our understanding of his success. Examining Alexander the Great's major military campaigns in order to illustrate his strengths as a commander, Lonsdale points out that Alexander inherited a well-disciplined and powerful army from his father, Philip II, which brought out the best in Alexander's command. Alexander's phalanx, or foot soldiers, for example, were so fierce and well trained that their mere presence caused the enemy to flee at the battle of Pelium, securing victory without a fight, says Lonsdale. From his survey of Alexander's tactics and military strategies, Lonsdale concludes that the Greek leader's genius can be attributed to his intellectual ability, moral courage, determination, balanced temperament and understanding of humanity. But Lonsdale's tedious, academic prose ("This study has analyzed") and focus on strategy over narrative make this tough slogging even for the military history enthusiast. Map.
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (December 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786714298
• ISBN-13: 978-0786714292
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #886,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #62 in Books > History > Europe > Macedonia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Book = ok! AMAZON-homepage = awful!, January 4, 2012

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Dr. Hannes Pramer "petrocelli" (Wien) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Alexander the Great, Killer of Men (Hardcover)

Book + handling is good, just the german homepage of AMAZON is really AWFUL! My search got me 2000 or more books, but You have no possibility to narrow Your searches! UNBELIEVABLE is the shipping cost, too: Amazon just shows You the shipping for her country, NOT for the European country the buyer live in. We live in 2012!!! It is unbelievable and AWFUL: AMAZON let You know the real shipping cost when Your order is already DONE!!!!!

6 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New View on a Standard History, March 18, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Alexander the Great, Killer of Men (Hardcover)

The general story of Alexander is well known. After taking over from his dead father at the age of sixteen he gained control of first the rest of Greece, they he defeated the Persian empire on his way to Northern India.

The author is Lecturer in Strategic Studies at the University of Reading, England. He brings an insight to Alexander's battles that is lacking in similar reports from other writers. He is able to look at Alexanders contributions to combined arms operations, to the effective use of non-Greek forces, the use of a navy when required.

During the twelve years Alexander campaigned he fought a wide variety of enemies from fortified cities, calvary, various kinds of infantry with varying combat styles. Alexander was successful against them all. What made him the most successful general of all time?