Customer Reviews

In the Footsteps of Alexander The Great: A Journey from Greece to Asia

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Michael Woods is a journalist and historian, who in past works has shown an aptitude in taking history out of the books and conveying rather pedantic research to the average person without insulting intelligence nor overwhelming with a wealth of detail (something a lot of historians, this one included, sometimes do). He does another stellar job with this work. Mr Woods example is one worth emulating for would-be historic tour guides. History is NOT dates and names; it's people, geography and events. By literally following "in the footsteps of Alexander the Great" he not only takes the viewer/reader to the actual sites of some of the most famous places in western history-Mr Woods also gives Westerners a glimpse of vibrant, ancient, and colorful societies in Syria, Iran, and Afghanistan. Places that the Western media usually stereotype as raving Islamic lunatics. These glimpses into societies where Alexander ("Iskander") is still a folk hero/devil, are fascinating, and worth the price of the book/video alone. The trip itself was historical research in that it contributed answers to some of the mysteries regarding Alexander's campaigns. Mr Woods is also an excellent writer, the prose is lively and reflects the author's enthusiasm for the subject. Is the work an exhaustive, authoritative history? Probably not and that's why I gave four instead of five stars. As another reviewer aptly put it don't use this as your only source. But, it is an excellent introduction and secondary source to a man who literally changed western (and middle eastern) civilization by the age of 33. Highly recommended.

Wood's book is problematic in a variety of ways, but it's predominant flaw is that it examines the actions and personality of a man who lived 2300 years ago through the prism of a thoroughly contemporary morality. Wood is fond of passing judgement, and does so with all the political correctness (and all the ancestral guilt) of a 21st century Anglo-Saxon man. To impose our world view on the world of Alexander and on the man himself is to disfigure them both. Behavior that seems odd, irrational or morally reprehensible to us had a completely different significance in Macedonian society (and Persian society) at that period in history. Alexander was acting within his reality -- he was a man of his time, and to lose sight of this leads Wood to misinterpret. He enjoys it rather too much for the account to feel balanced.

The depth of his research one cannot vouch for, but however extensive it might have been, the story he presents to the reader is incomplete and his exploration of the material is shallow. The 'facts' he presents are sometimes incorrect, and when they are events whose truth remains in doubt, he fails to mention it unless it suits his agenda. He dispatches significant events in Alexander's life in a sentence or two, yet spends entire paragraphs on his own feelings about the journey and in freely imagining for the reader what a man from another culture was feeling and thinking over 2000 years ago. He takes account of biases in the source material rather selectively, and often does not even identify his sources.

I have read better researched and better considered books on this subject. The photographs that accompany the book are excellent, and the maps quite good and easy to follow, but the content is best passed over.

Sloppy, inaccurate, sensationalist, poorly researched, biased, oversimplified, and hysterical; I could go on for some time in this vein. Quite simply, Woods' effort is awful. More often than not he takes Alexander out of context, and uses his sources with a selectivity that belies belief. Worst still are his glaring falsehoods. For example (and I will confine myself to only one), he speaks of the route in Egypt that he, Woods, followed from Siwah oasis to that of Bahariya (historians aren't too sure whether A himself took this path, but it seems likely that he did). He claims that the trip took twelve hours, that the 'track' is easily lost, that after 150 kms of the 450km route there is no more water to be found, and that he passed no other vehicle all day. I know the route very well indeed, and all of Woods' claims are factually incorrect. The trip takes seven hours; the 'barely visible track' is, in fact, a road and is only obscure at one point for a distance of less than two to three km; there are six military checkpoints, each located eighty to ninety km along from the previous (a fact which our intrepid danger loving explorer does not point out), and all of them have water available; four of these checkpoints are vehicled. Finally, he seems to think that he is traversing "The Great Sand Sea." He is not; that particular portion of the Sahara lies some distance to the South of his route.So much for any attempt to present the public with some facts as opposed to this self aggrandising Indiana Jones type rubbish. I need not point out to any person of intelligence that if Michael Woods can make such colossal errors when he has actually experienced that which he is writing about, his historical expertise must be even more suspect. And it is.This is tabloid journalism brought to bear on ancient history. The result is predictably twisted and distorted. He dismisses sources when they speak well of Alexander but later thinks them quite infallible when they treat of his negative aspects. The fascination with Alexander lies in the fact that beside his flaws he also has virtues - and they are not just militaristic. Woods has failed to notice this. It is obviously impossible for any modern to access with totality the mindset of the Ancients but one should at least try, if only in an effort to understand their motives. Sadly this never even occurs to Woods. He presents facts as fiction when he finds them disagreeable, and does the reverse with uncorroborated rumours when it might make for a good headline. He persistently judges ancient events and actions with his own modern ethics and, not surprisingly, creates a monster. Not content with this, he vividly colours his picture with such exaggerations as 'drunken orgies.' No source whatsoever mentions any such thing. Drink yes; orgies never. And this is only one of over a hundred stark discrepancies that I found, with increasing exasparation, before I stopped counting! One realises, of course, that he is not setting out to create the definitive last word on the Macedonian, but nonetheless this is atrocious stuff - far too selective and personalised to make for an informative account, let alone good history.If his publication has anything to offer at all, it is its illustrations which are many and, without exception, excellent. Full credit to the team who accompanied him. Hopefully, their next expedition will be headed by a person of broader and more informed abilities! Buy this travesty only if you like pictures. Otherwise, if you wish to know about Alexander's routes, I would refer you to Engels' work "The Logistics of the Macedonian Army," available on this site.

I have to admit I read this book with great expectations. I thoroughly enjoy reading about ancient history. I was to be greatly disappointed. The only reason I give this book a "3" rating is because of the interesting commentary on the terrain Mr. Wood & co. went over to retrace Alexander's steps and the wonderful photographs. The author seems to have a decidedly "Persian" or "non-Greek" view. He accepts without hesitation the views of the indigenous peoples from the regions Alexander conquered and any greek accounts of Alexander that are negative, while being 'a priori' suspicious of any pro-Alexander view given. Mr. Wood calls these first-hand reports propaganda, dismissing them outright. I would recommend anyone wanting a balanced view of the great general Alexander to read "Alexander the Great and His Time" by Agnes Savill. I would also suggest that Mr. Wood read it as well.

This is an outstanding book that covers the DVD of the same title.The pictures are wonderful.The reading itself is fascinating.It is divided into several sections that takes us step by step through Alexander's conquests, with ancient cities and today's actual names.
Mr.Wood is a natural in writing ancient history.I hope he continues exploring and taking us with him,in places we cannot go.

The story of Alexander The Great remains just as relevant today as it did when the "Alexander Romance" was published many centuries ago, consider that many of the areas he conquered such as Iraq and Iran are still international hot spots today when it comes to the current state of the world. Michael Wood's "In The Footsteps Of Alexander The Great" is an entertaining read because it plays like a cultural travelogue, documenting how the story of Alexander is still passed down from generation to generation in Greece and the Middle East. In some places he is a heroe, in others a ruthless barbarian, even a devil. Woods writes about his journey down Alexander's trek with vivid details, providing fascinating insights into other corners of the globe and the customs found therein. For readers who enjoy learning and reading about other countries and their traditions this will prove to be a fascinating trip. However, the only thing that makes Woods' book not the gem it should be is that in his actual writing of Alexander's history he subscribes to much of what has already been dismissed as propaganda by historians like Robin Lane Fox and authors like Mary Renault. It is no surprise that since Woods is after all making a TV program here, he indulges in the more wild, ear-catching legends surrounding Alexander such as the burning of a temple for the sake of doing something fun when drunk (eventhough Alexander, as was common in Macedon and Greece, enjoyed wine to excessive lengths) and the killing of Betis by dragging him from a chariot to imitate Achilles (this is ridiculous considering Alexander always honored opponents who fought bravely). Woods apparently likes using information gathered from writers like Cleitarchus, who is notorious for writing fictitous accounts with exaggerated numbers, events and even Socrates made fun of the guy for his flights of fancy. Luckily Woods is not writing a biography here but an account of the current state of the lands Alexander conquered and it's peoples. As a journey through these areas and as a look at how potent the image and story of Alexander are today there is no better book. But for an actual reading of the life and times of Alexander The Great, I recommend "Alexander The Great" by Robin Lane Fox and "The Nature Of Alexander" by Mary Renault, two others who write with a more serious sense of scholarship.

Michael Woods and his team have done an outstanding job at presenting the conquests of Alexander the Great and his impact on his short-lived empire. Obviously, a lot of effort has gone into researching the intricate details of Alexander's life, and the areas which he visited (then and now) and the reader is the one who ultimately benefits from this.

Granted that the team had to rely on ancient Greek sources and local lore in piecing together Alexander's story,I wonder if the work could have been made more complete with more information on the Greek High Command eg. Craterus, Parmenio etc as well as the logistics planning that was required for the creation of empire. Also, information on Greece in Alexander's absence would have been useful in giving the reader understanding of the domestic situation.

The book is commendable for its photographs and great attempts at historical accuracy. Strongly recommended for anyone interested in Greek history.

Very interesting and detailed look at the routes taken, the acts, and influences left behind by this historically powerful figure who left such and indelible mark. He also died at only age 33.

Although brutal, he was an adventurous traveler and enjoyed the many delights of wine, women & song. Michael Wood provides and ample supply of photos and maps to detail the routes he and Alexander took. I am not a historian, so I can't corroborate all the details for accuracy. As a history laymen I can say I enjoyed what I read and I admit my lack of knowledge in this area. For those interested in the area, I think you may find it worth reading, and then you can take what you want from that point on.

I'll keep this as brief as possible. The book is a well conceived mixture of the history Alexander the Great's Asian conquests and the story of author Michael Wood's quest to follow Alexander's voyage throughout Asia and film it all for a BBC miniseries. He not only draws on the traditional sources such as Arrian and Plutarch, but also on local legends in the areas Alexander captured. The photographs are beautiful, and the maps help give a geographical perspective to the reader. An easy, interesting read, the book can be read in one evening by devoting full attention to the book.
The only criticism I have is one that is unavoidable by Wood. There are parts that tend to drag a bit, by giving casualty estimates and exact military strategies that would most likely not appeal to the average reader. The best aspect, however, is how Michael Wood gives insight to a brutal, raging alcoholic treated all too kindly by Arrian. It is worth the money to someone genuinely interested in history, but don't waste your time if you're not willing to give the attention this book deserves.

I have to say that this is great work. I feel more younger people should read this (and watch the video series) and get a better understanding of the size of Alexander's expedition and accomplishments.

.... The ancient Greeks did consider the Macedonians as a Greek tribe. Some people like to point to Demosthenes' Phillipic speeches as proof of the "barbarian" attitude of the Greeks toward the Macedonians. That's misleading. Demosthenes was deathly afraid of the loss of Athenian supremacy and power if Phillip became the leader of the unified Greek states. Other Athenian politicians did not see him that way. Political rivalries were not anything new to the politically independent ancient Greeks. A closer look at Arrian and Plutarch indicates very well how these ancient historians viewed the Macedonians as Greek.

Anyway, this is good work. Bravo to Mr. Wood.