The Virtues of War: A Novel of Alexander the Great

"The Virtues of War" written in the first-person voice of Alexander the Great, provides an engaging perspective on his journey from ascending the throne of Macedon to conquering empires before his untimely death at the age of thirty-three. Steven Pressfield's deep understanding of warfare, leadership, and the complexities of human emotion shines through the pages of this historical fiction.Drawing from his own Marine Corps background, Pressfield masterfully delves into the motivations that drive soldiers. The notion that soldiers are bound by their love of glory and their will to fight resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced the call of arms. The training scene with Telamon and the wolf pack metaphor powerfully illustrate the essence of being a soldier, capturing the sense of duty, sacrifice, and unity that soldiers share.Moreover, the novel does not shy away from the brutal realities of war. The description of battles, the blood, heat, and terror of the battlefield, and the deep emotional impact on both soldiers and leaders reflect Pressfield's profound knowledge of warfare. The book also explores the moral complexities of warfare, the understanding that the enemy is made up of men with families and dreams, forcing us to confront the grim truth behind the glory.As a Marine who values the principles of honor, discipline, and self-command, I appreciated the emphasis on virtue and leadership showcased through the character of Memnon. His mastery of strategy, understanding of politics, and unwavering commitment to his men serve as a poignant example of a well-rounded leader."The Virtues of War" is not just a novel; it's a journey into the heart and mind of a soldier-king. Pressfield's brilliant writing brings history to life, transporting readers to ancient battlefields and into the psyche of a leader who dared to reshape the world. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, leadership, and the complex emotions that drive soldiers to achieve greatness. Just as Alexander's legacy lives on, so too will the impact of this exceptional literary work.

In the light of the current world environment, you need to read this book. While Mr. Pressfield played on Sun Tzu's title in his 2002 take-control-of-your-life manual, The War of Art, he goes right to the heart of the matter in Virtues: this book is Alexander the Great's Art of War. Where previous Pressfield novels detailed what the individual combatant was thinking and feeling, Virtues focuses on the leader, the man in charge of it all, logistics, material, tactics, strategy, morale and every other aspect of war.In six short years since the publication of his classic Gates of Fire, Steven Pressfield has set a new standard for historical fiction and sits firmly entrenched at the top of a list of talented writers in that genre. The master's attention to detail through diligent research is without equal. As importantly to his readers, Mr. Pressfield weaves a tale that keeps us hooked on his work from first to last page. His details do not detract or bog down the telling of the tale but serve it. Like it's predecessors, The Virtues of War left me satiated if not emotionally drained when I read its final words:"The sarissa's song is a sad songHe pipes it soft and low.I would ply a gentler trade, says he,But war is all I know.The wind rose in that moment, lifting the corner of Alexander's cloak. I saw his heel tap Corona's flank. He reined-about and started for the camp, surrounded by his officers."All of the Pressfield Greek Histories as I've come to call them are narrated. In his previous work, Last of the Amazons, Mr. Pressfield took a big chance and told much of the story through the words of a woman, no small task for a man who did spend time in the U.S. Marine Corps. In Virtues, Pressfield walks the plank again; the risk: for the first time, his tale is told by a real historical figure -- not a fictitious one -- and by none other than the Great One himself, Alexander. Once again, Pressfield has re-invented himself, this time through Alexander the Great.Not far into the book, I truly felt that I was not reading a novel, rather that I was privileged to sit in the King's own tent, just he and I while I listened to his recollections of things past, most notably his major victories: Chaeronea, Granicus, Issus, Gaugamela, the guerilla war in Afghanistan and Hydaspes. Alexander explained to me the complexities of leadership and I listened closely. The book is written from such a deep, personal level that I recalled the early scene in "Patton" where the General and Omar Bradley stand at the Kasserine Pass in North Africa as Patton recollects the details of the battle waged between the Carthaginians and the Roman Legions. "I was there," Patton comments. I can't help but think Steven Pressfield immersed himself so deeply into his narrator that in a very real sense, 'he was there!'But this is not a book about the battles that often come to the forefront in the other Pressfield novels. Virtues rarely visits the hand-to-hand combat of Gates of Fire and Tides of War or the detailed massacres in Amazons. No, this book is about leadership. Alexander's first real taste of combat was at Chaeronea in 338 BC under the tutelage of his father, Philip of Macedon. Fifteen years later he when died at 32-years-old, he had conquered the known world. In Alexander's words, Mr. Pressfield explores the decision-making process all leaders confront, and he does not overlook the doubts that are certain to plague a leader and his army as they trek over 11,000 miles on foreign soil for over a decade.The reader will find himself drawing comparisons between what happened on Alexander's campaign with what is currently happening in that part of the world. How could Alexander conquer Babylon and Baghdad and move on with the certainty that his rear position was in no danger from those he had vanquished? So often we believe that guerilla warfare is an invention of modern man, but Mr. Pressfield shows us how Alexander dealt with the guerilla war in Afghanistan. True, things are much different 2,000 years later, but if history does indeed repeat itself, there are lessons to be learned from the experiences of arguably the most successful General in the history of warfare.You won't find 'blood and guts' in this story; you will not take the battlefield with GI Joe. You will enter the mind of a man who mastered generalship through all his doubts, trials and tribulations. You may complete this book with a new outlook on current affairs and you may pose many "What if?" questions by super-imposing Alexander the Great onto the world stage as it exists today. You'll enjoy Virtues of War just for the story; you'll appreciate it more for its relevancy.

Sem muito o que dizer, quem não o conhece passe a conhecer. Tem uma palestra sobre A Guerra da Arte na Nova Acrópole.

A great rollicking story of one man's leadership, destiny and drive. The lifestyles and motivations of Alexander's era are brought to life with an enticing take on that moment in time.

I first read Mr Pressfield's book, Gates of Fire. This is written to the same high standard. This author can make the reader feel he writes having been present as an observer in Alexander's inner circle. It is nothing short of an excellent read. (One small point only would I quibble over and that was his description of Hephaestion as "a good friend", when a majority of academics can concur he was all of that and in all likelihood, far more). Further, the author's description of the passing of Hephaestion and his subsequent funeral was passed off in more or less one paragraph! If any one event affected Alexander in his life more than any other, it was the death of his "good friend". It devastated Alexander & diminished him. So deeply tragic and despite this young king's faults, only the coldest of hearts would not even now reach out to him in his grief and hurt and loneliness.Nonetheless, very highly recommended.

For those who appreciate the wonder and ultimate brilliance of Alexander, this is a must read. It reaches out and pulls you into the world of Alexander as he likely viewed it. A masterpiece. It makes love to your senses.

Wie in seinen anderen Romanen auch (Antike:  Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae , Zweiter Weltkrieg:  Killing Rommel , Zukunft:  The Profession: A Thriller ) erzählt Steven Pressfield vom Krieg. Obwohl Feldherr Alexander persönlich die Geschichte seiner Eroberungen schildert, spürt man beim Lesen Leben und Leiden seiner Soldaten. Die Schlachten auf dem Weg Alexanders nach Indien werden detailliert nachgezeichnet. Immer wieder geht Pressfield auf Strategien und Waffen ein, auf Taktiken und Abwägungen.Alexanders außergewöhnliche Fähigkeiten werden in Pressfields Buch in den größeren Rahmen ihrer Zeit gesetzt. Die technischen Weiterentwicklungen (etwa die lange Sarissa und die Rolle der Kavallerie) und die strategischen Winkelzüge auf dem Schlachtfeld werden mit so viel Enthusiasmus geschildert, dass man selbst als Pazifist interessiert am Ball bleibt. Die dreckigen, blutenden und sterbenden Infanteristen und Pferde geben der Geschichte eine Authentizität, die mit Sandalenfilmen von anno dazumal nichts gemein hat. Das Buch ist flüssig geschrieben. Die Kampfszenen fesseln.Auch wenn er damit nicht zufrieden wäre: Mehr als drei Sterne kann ich "Alexander" leider nicht geben. Abzüge erhält der Roman, weil er an vielen dann doch zu langatmig geraten ist. Für meinen Geschmack hätte Pressfield an der einen oder anderen Stelle eine Schlacht etwas kürzer und dafür einen Gedanken, ein Gespräch oder ein Motiv Alexanders etwas ausführlicher schildern können. Mir gefiel auch nicht, dass es keine Wechsel in der Perspektive gab, der mir einen Überblick über die Gesamtsituation hätte geben können. Trotzdem ist der Roman in einigen Bereichen ausgesprochen gelungen. Besonders an Kriegsführung, Strategie und antiken Waffengattungen Interessierte sollten unbedingt Pressfield lesen. Wer allerdings ein etwas breiteres Feld inklusive politischer Entwicklungen, persönlicher Geschichten und vielleicht Romantik möchte, ist da aufgehoben, wo Alexander Zeit seines Lebens hin wollte: woanders. Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of ThermopylaeKilling RommelThe Profession: A Thriller