Envy of the Gods: Alexander the Great's Ill-Fated Journey Across Asia

by John Prevas

By the time Alexander the Great was twenty-six, he had conquered the world's mightiest empire, Persia. He was the envy of every man. But Alexander had a higher aspiration-to be the envy of the gods. And so, Alexander embarked on a long campaign of conquest across Asia. He marched his army through the mountains of Afghanistan to the Indian subcontinent. But as he pushed forward in his wild pursuit of glory and immortality, he grew increasingly unpredictable, sporadically violent, and megalomaniacal. In the end, only seven years after he had conquered Persia, Alexander the Great was defeated not by any external enemy but by himself, unable to control his passions.Writer and intrepid explorer John Prevas informs his "absorbing" ( Raleigh News & Observer ) narrative through a personal retracing of much of Alexander's route through what is now Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The author's research and travels bring brilliantly to life this riveting story of Alexander's decline and fall-in the land where he sought his greatest glory.

Genres: History, Greece, Nonfiction

242 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prevas's dislike for Alexander is palpable. If there's an opportunity to characterize an event in a light that reflects negatively on Alexander, he does so -- by my count, he only misses one, and that's the death of Hephaestion, which Prevas ascribes to a combination of fever and overeating, or poisoning at the hands of Anitpater's clan. In nearly every other event that we know of, Alexander is shown behaving badly. Prevas's Alexander is a megalomaniacal, impulsive, reckless, narcicisstic, vain, sheltered, deluded daydreamer who cares nothing for those around him, and thinks only of his immortality, literally and figuratively.

A fine antidote to some of the hagiography that's developed around Alexander, but Prevas tilts too far in the opposite direction, and isn't measured in his use of the sources.

Oh, and Prevas actually recounts the meeting between the Amazon queen and Alexander. Sure, when he's done telling the story, he notes that scholars think the episode is just a bit of embellishment, but the way he describes the encounter, it's not clear what Prevas thinks. A very odd thing to find in a book that's trying to be a serious attempt at biography/history.

Worth a spin if you've read other books about Alexander, but not recommended for those who are hoping to pick up the definitive biography.

[Corey Butler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I question the author's scholarship. He writes about Alexander meeting the Amazon Queen, Thalestris as if it actually happened, but this event is regarded by reputable historicans as a myth or legend. He also throws in contemporary references (e.g. the Taliban) from time to time, but they add more distraction than depth. The author did a good job describing Alexander's megalomaniac character, however, and the information about Greek ruins and the origin of the Buddha statues (the ones blown up by the Taliban) were interesting. All in all, I think there are better books on the subject so I would give this one a miss.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book about my favorite megalomaniac!