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11th out of 86 books
—
28 voters
The Nature of Alexander
by
Mary Renault
The acclaimed biography of Alexander the Great.
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
November 12th 1979
by Pantheon
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Simply the best Alexander book I've read. Renault wrote brilliant historical fiction, but realized the facts would suffice to make a great story here. I got this book as a consolation prize after an horrific scholarship interview in high school (it was for Pitt so that's fine. I wouldn't shame my ancestors by going there anyway). Renault was the first I read to discuss Alexander's probably homosexuality- she really just touches on the facts we know, like how he kept turning down marriage possibi...more
This is one of those books that I read to become an informed person and about which I will later remember only three to five things. In no particular order I predict that those three to five things will be: Bucephalas, Hephaestion, Darius, Roxane, and Olympias. This is, of course not how I will remember: the Horsey, the Boyfriend, the Cowardly Enemy, the Evil!Wife, and the Conniving Clingy Mother.
I am being glib because I am not really familiar with this period in history. I honestly will forge...more
I am being glib because I am not really familiar with this period in history. I honestly will forge...more
I'm just a big fan of Alexander the Great. I've read this book and a lot more about him, but I just can't recall titles and authors except for Renault. I'm reminded of Renault because I read her trilogy of historical fiction on Alexander. She also wrote this book which is more nonfiction or rater a collection of observations and opinions, legends, etc. on Alexander the Great told by the various cultures he touched, and influenced.
Who knows what Alexander the Great was truely like, but I've enjoy...more
Who knows what Alexander the Great was truely like, but I've enjoy...more
Nov 10, 2008
El
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Josiah, Clovis
Shelves:
cultural-studies-and-other
Focusing a great deal of her attention on Alexander the Great's psychological evolution, Mary Renault here writes a different sort of historical biography. She is clearly well-read in all things Alexander, and even more clear is her absolute bias towards him. She leaves little room for argument, though there are several throughout. She uses much of the histories of Arrian, Ptolemy, Xenophon and others but at times puts her imagination to good use by filling in the blanks. While not a poorly writ...more
I really wavered between two and three stars here, but considering how long it took me to get through I guess two is more appropriate. Reading this was a decent primer on the life of Alexander the Great, but you get the feeling historical-novelist Mary Renault is WAY too enamored of her material. While she does succeed in portraying Alexander as a psychologically complex individual, the whole thing dips into hagiography once too often, and at every juncture where Alexander's motives are question...more
A biography of Alexander the Great. M. Renault loves her Alexander and makes no attempt to be impartial. She rejects his faults as depicted in some of the Greek and Roman biographies as (Athenian and Kassandros') propaganda. She presents some of her ideas and opinions on Alexander as if they were facts. Still, it's a compelling read.
Alexander the Great is one of my favourite historical characters, that is why I bought this book. As a bonus, it made me discover wonderful mary Renault. This is a non fiction book but you can appreciate her simple, beautiful and powerful prose in telling the life of a character she also loved.
Mary Renault is an academic and author who really knows her stuff. Her fiction (The King Must Die, Bull from the Sea) is credible and highly enjoyable.
Her historical writing is well researched and brings a violent, disturbed hero to life.
Well worth comparing with Robin Lane Fox's treatment.
Her historical writing is well researched and brings a violent, disturbed hero to life.
Well worth comparing with Robin Lane Fox's treatment.
A super good alexander primer. The story comes to life. It surprised me how much this little book hammered so many important themes home much more effectively than much bigger books on the subject. Well worth the effort.
Hero Worship. But not that bad... A world conquering megalomaniac has never been made so appealing. Recommended for classical newbs, clean lively style, just don't buy everything Renault tries to sell you.
Apr 21, 2013
J. Michael Schmidt
added it
I listened to the audio books, some years back, and absolutely fell in love with her storytelling. I felt I came to know Alexander, a legend, as a really person, and yet a living God.
The best read on Alexander that I've encountered. I appreciate him and his accomplishments more. This volume is on my 'to reread list'. Would recommend to any ancient-history buff or motivational student.
A nice companion to her well-written fiction books about Alexander. Probably only an interesting book for someone as strangely obsessed with Alexander the Great as myself.
This is a very good biography of Alexander IV, "The Great" The book is historical as well as an attempt to get into Alexanders head. Well worth a read.
Fascinating account of Alexander the Great. I have a new respect for certain aspects of his character (though certainly not all).
I don't generally read non-fiction books, but this biography is so well-written that you can almost forget that it is factual.
Jan 24, 2011
Susan Alt
added it
This is monumental....the best book I've read so far about Alexnder!
A good general account f Alexander.
Accomplished writer Mary Renault creates a vivid portrait of one the most fascinating people in history. While sadly all primary sources on Alexander's life have been lost, she makes use of all the important secondary sources that remain, but always regarding them with a critical eye instead of taking everything at face value. Her style of writing, while giving a wealth of information, is never dry. I have rarely enjoyed reading a non-fiction book this much.
This book was a great look into the life of one of the most enigmatic figures in history. This book is easy to read and understand. The author did a really good job of keeping the story moving and not bogging the story down. The only complaint that I had is that the author would just bring in a concept out of nowhere and never really explain what was going on. But for the most part this was a well written biography.
A fascinating look at Alexander the Great. Renault, with her long history of historical fiction writing, tackles the subject of Alexander's personality and motivations rather than merely telling of famous battles and historical events. Although her portrayal can often be too sympathetic (take her opinions with a grain of salt -- she clearly loves the guy!), the project itself is engaging and enlightening.
Leí éste después de haberme leído la trilogía de esta autora sobre la vida de Alejandro y recuerdo que me embargó un profunda tristeza, no porque hubiera terminado la saga, sino porqué me había maravillado tanto con el personaje y como en los cuatro libros asistí tantas veces a su muerte, pues la última la sentí como si alguien a quien yo conociera y quisiera mucho hubiera muerto.
This was the second time for this book. It's a easy, quick read. There are some interesting thoughts, and the bibliography is useful, but it's highly speculative and some of her conclusions are unconvincing. She must know as much about Alexander as anyone but the text too often strays into grey areas.
Oh my God, I finally got my hands on this book!!!!!! Loving it so far. It's like the erudite extended DVD commentary of her Alexander novels, which are some of my favourite books in the world.
Will post a proper review once I'm done.
Will post a proper review once I'm done.
While much contested in the academic world for years, recently much of conculsions and method has been vindicated. Green & Reames may vociferously desent but still quite worth reading.
El más grande conquistador de todos los tiempos no tuvo jamás la mínima intención de gobernar nada. A él, sin embargo, lo gobernaron algunas poderosas pasiones.
I just enjoy books about ancient history that talk about how people used to live. Interesting insight into the ancient Greeks/Macedonians.
I learned that when Alexander's true love, Hephaestion, died, Alexander lay on his dead body for a day and a half.
Oct 29, 2008
Linda
added it
A lot to know about ancient history!
Muy buena biografía del Magno
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Mary Renault
AKA Eileen Mary Challans
Born: 4-Sep-1905
Birthplace: London, England
Died: 13-Dec-1983
Location of death: Cape Town, South Africa
Father: Frank Challans (physician)
Mother: Clementine Newsome Baxter
Sister: Joyce
Girlfriend: Julie Mullard (life-long companion)
High School: Clifton Girls School, Bristol, England
University: BA, St. Hugh's College, Oxford University (1928)
Medical School: Radcl...more
More about Mary Renault...
AKA Eileen Mary Challans
Born: 4-Sep-1905
Birthplace: London, England
Died: 13-Dec-1983
Location of death: Cape Town, South Africa
Father: Frank Challans (physician)
Mother: Clementine Newsome Baxter
Sister: Joyce
Girlfriend: Julie Mullard (life-long companion)
High School: Clifton Girls School, Bristol, England
University: BA, St. Hugh's College, Oxford University (1928)
Medical School: Radcl...more
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Jul 07, 2009 03:58pm