Why did I read this book?
I was very reluctant to read any books on history or historical figures. However, when a friend of mine in
here started talking about incredible leaders of history I was inspired to dig further into my favorite ruler
(also I need to vary things up in here, so this was a nice change of pace). Why do I like Alexander the
Great?.it goes back to college when I heard a story about him. Alexander often made comments about
his mother…My favorite being – “Alexander once claimed his mother charged a very high rent for nine
months in the womb.” Not sure why I liked this comment so much, but I thought it was hilarious. I also
liked that he is eccentric (which is a description I love hearing in my leaders or icons). I am not a fan of
huge amounts of death and destruction, but the end I can’t help but admire a man that dared to do the
things he did.
What did I learn from this book?
This book was highly recommended, and it did not disappoint. Freeman writes a biography of Alexander
the Great in the form of a clever factual story. You didn’t need to be an expert in the ancient world of a
Macedonian King. Alexander the Great was by far one of the greatest Military minds of all time. Only a
true genius could have taken the Persian empire (with incredible odds) and fought his way to Asia all the
way to India. Alexander, Son of Phillip was born July of 356 BC in Macedonia. The home of Alexander
lay cut off from Greece by the mountain wall of Olympus and surrounding peaks. He was crowned King
at age 19. He was tutored by Aristotle as a boy. He was crowned king at the age of 19. He was by all
accounts an incredibly brilliant man. His superpower was military strategy. After taking control of his
father’s army, he invaded the Persian empire. He is credited with spreading Greek culture throughout
the ancient world. He was dead by 32. He most likely died of natural causes…. Although some suspect
poison. He had cheated death at least a dozen times. The legacy of Alexander and his powerful
influence over Greek culture spread quickly over Asia, Africa, and Europe. It may be safe to say that
without Alexandre and his conquests, the philosophy, art, and literature of ancient Greece that have so
influenced most of our lives for more than “2000 years,” would have instead only been a single voice is
multitude of ancient civilizations. To truly understand Alexander, we must realize that – perhaps more
than any man in history, he hated to lose. I love that.
How will I use what I have learned?
I flew through this book in less than 2 days. Wow I’m fired up. I am really surprised I liked this book as
much as I did. His story is fascinating. The way he inspired his troops and people over countless
invasions/campaigns is nothing short of brilliant. He reminds me never to be complacent with one’s
position, and to constantly challenge oneself. This book has inspired me to push for the top leadership
role in RDAP. Head of Core (core chairman). At first when I started RDAP I just wanted to do as little as
possible and finish quickly. Ultimately that is not me. I don’t like sitting on the sidelines for anything.
Also, I can do wonders for RDAP, its community, and people in general here. So that is what I am going
to do. I feel like I got lucky with this book…also it helps I am a huge fan of Alexander. But during my
stay at Leavenworth, I am determined to exercise my brain as much as humanly possible. This book was
a nice change of pace.
