Alexander the Great, Son of the Gods by Alan Fildes and Joann Fletcher

A pleasure for the eye is what first comes to mind after reading Alexander the Great, Son of the Gods by Alan Fildes and Joann Fletcher (ISBN 0-89236-783-0).

Much care is given to the presentation, print, paper and illustrations. The edge of the pages is color-coded to match each of the five chapters: The Prince of Macedon; Conqueror of the East; The Great King; To the Endless Ocean; and, Return to Babylon. The fact that this book is published by Getty Trust Publications, J. Paul Getty Museum stands for quality, of course.

Portions of Alexander’s eventful life are served in small comprehensive bites, often filling two pages for a subject which is always started with a summary insert to keep the story flowing. Comprehensive maps cover selected areas, yet each map is connecting chronologically to the next. On top of all that, there are inserts on pertinent subjects like, His Father’s Son; Alexander’s Men; Coins for a New Empire; Crowns and Caps, Hats and Headcloths; Military Engineering; Medical Care; and plenty of other details.

This book makes easy and interesting reading. It is ideal for those who are looking for a solid overview of Alexander’s personality and campaigns without getting lost in too many details.