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Alexander the Great: Makers of History
Alexander the Great Makers of History
Author: Jacob Abbott
"Abbott’s account of Alexander’s life reads like a Greek tragedy. We are reminded of Jesus’ admonition, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mt. 16:26a). Alexander gained the world, but at what cost? — Abbott’s book is an easy but fascinating read, providi...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781591280583
ISBN-10: 1591280583
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 198
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 1

3.5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Canon Press
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
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stacyo avatar reviewed Alexander the Great: Makers of History on + 15 more book reviews
Jacob Abbotts Alexander the Great was first printed in 1849 as a biography targeting young adults. It details Alexanders youth to his death, highly focusing on the deterioration of his character.

Although it targets young adults, todays audience would probably find it an ambitious study. The sentences and paragraphs are complex. Often a paragraph will be composed of only one sentence or a page of only one or two paragraphs. This particular edition of Alexander the Great provides no credentials for Abbott, no bibliography, and Abbott includes very few in-text citations.

Abbotts version of Alexanders life is entertaining and loaded with information. Abbott takes time throughout the book to depict the scenery around Alexander as he travels. Sometimes he will also pause to tell an anecdote related to an event, whether relating the Iliad in a nutshell or summarizing Josephuss account of Alexander visiting Jerusalem.

For those interested in reading a biography of Alexander the Great, this one follows his life in some detail and provides some of Abbotts own subtle commentary. The book would be more functional, however, if it had a bibliography.


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