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Alexander the Great: Journey to the End of the Earth Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 72 ratings
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In this succinct portrait of Alexander the Great, distinguished scholar and historian Norman Cantor draws on the major writings of Alexander's contemporaries, as well as the most recent psychological and cultural studies, to illuminate this most legendary of men - a great figure in the ancient world, whose puzzling personality greatly fueled his military accomplishments.

Cantor describes Alexander's ambiguous relationship with his father, Philip II of Macedon; his oedipal involvement with his mother, the Albanian princess Olympias; and his bisexuality. He traces Alexander's attempts to bridge the East and West, using Achilles, hero of the Trojan War, as his model.

Finally, Cantor explores Alexander's view of himself in relation to the pagan gods of Greece and Egypt. More than a biography, Cantor's Alexander the Great is a psychological rendering of a man of his time.

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  1. Part of series
    Eminent Lives
  2. Listening Length
    4 hours and 20 minutes
  3. Author
    Norman F. Cantor
  4. Narrator
    Bronson Pinchot
  5. Audible release date
    July 18, 2008
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Blackstone Audio, Inc.
  8. ASIN
    B001D066BS
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
  11. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 4 hours and 20 minutes
Author Norman F. Cantor
Narrator Bronson Pinchot
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date July 18, 2008
Publisher Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B001D066BS
Best Sellers Rank #198,247 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#751 in Ancient History (Audible Books & Originals)
#1,256 in Biographies of Politicians
#4,767 in Political Leader Biographies

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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Theodore A. Rushton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read 'Alexander' and weep for the "leaders" of today's world
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a gem, in large because the analysis of the "greatness" of Alexander in the fifth and closing chapter is designed to generate thought, debate and ideas for every student of history.

    "The impact of Alexander on the Mediterranean world has always been a subject for debate," Cantor notes, and proceeds to add provocatively to that debate. Alexander, like Achilles, Caesar, King Arthur, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, embodies the spirit of the times and the people of their eras. Alexander and Achilles were heroic; Caesar and Arthur were innovators; Lincoln and Churchill gave words to enhance the decency of great nations.

    Lincoln, to cite an example, did not invent democracy in America. However, when he defined democracy as government "of the people, by the people, for the people", he greatly sharpened and enhanced already existing attitudes. Alexander did the same in his time; he did not invent war, but he set an ideal seldom matched and thus established the warrior ideal for much of the Mediterannean. King Arthur does the same with his round table; Churchill gives credit to the British people for stopping Hitler.

    Now, consider George Bush with his Texas swagger and flight suit while strutting across the deck of an aircraft carrier to announce "Mission Accomplished" as if he were a warrior. Alexander, in contrast to the coddled and well-protected life of Bush, survived numerous serious wounds acquired while leading his troops from the front. Whether it's Bush or Clinton or Reagan, there's a vast difference between Alexander and the perspiration and spin of today's leaders. As Canton aptly shows, it's why "the Great" title is retired.

    Intended or not, there are numerous subtle parallels between ancient and modern events in the Near and Middle Easts. Alexander was successful because he responded immediately and brilliantly to local events rather than try to rule from afar; instead of being an ideologue, he worshipped every God he met along the route of his conquests.

    Because he was handicapped by "faulty intelligence," when he reached Afghanistan and India he realized it was time to listen to his troops, then "cut and run". Why? To quote Cantor, "One of the old soldiers, a man named Coenis . . . . gave the speech of his life, ending with these words: 'Sir, if there is one thing above all others a successful man should know, it is when to stop'. Instead of trying to stay the course, Cantor says "Alexander sulked for two days but then tried to find a way to make this defeat appear to be a victory."

    Cantor offers an intriguing psychological assessment of Alexander; not only was he "the supreme exemplar of that old pagan world" but he also knew how to sulk and then accept the will of his troops. Perhaps that is why there are no modern Alexanders; today we tend to look at his heroism, courage, strength and vision but overlook his ability to sulk.

    It's a masterful biography, not merely because of what it says about Alexander but also for what it teaches us about ourselves.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Dave G
    4.0 out of 5 stars Cantor again doesn't disappoint
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Once again Mr. Cantor has delivered in one of his works and again some haters on these reviews do not grant him the respect he deserves in regards to his works. This is a brief survey of Alexander, it was not meant to be an extensive biography. It is a shame that Mr. Cantor is no longer with us to further expand our horizons on subjects that are difficult to comprehend and learn when sitting in a college course.
    One person found this helpful
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  • the Old Judge
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great man on a great man.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The man who wrote this work was an eminently able scholar. This short work gives a concise interpretation of the evidence we have on Alexander with able insights that will enhance the general readers insight and probably, for whatever reason, tick off the more advanced reader who is likely looking for more of the same old same old. You know, self confirmation. Cantor did know how to make history speak to the present. No dust here. As for the production quality and the reader, excellent.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Michael Lewyn
    3.0 out of 5 stars a mixed bag
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024
    This book is mostly a collection of legends about Alexander, with a chapter at the end summarizing his character. On the positive side, I certainly got a broader view about Greek civilization: Greeks included not just philosopher-kings and aesthetes, but brutal, drunken, men of action like Alexander.

    However, this book is sort of tainted for me by Cantor's apparent ignorance about Judaism. In discussing Greco-Jewish philosopher Philo, Cantor describes Philo as "what we would today call a Reform Jew" and describes his Alexandria community as "the great center of Reform Judaism." this suggests that Cantor either doesn't know much about Philo or doesn't know much about Reform Judaism. Reform Jews treat traditional Jewish law as optional, and often believe that the Torah is not Divine Revelation. Philo believed in the Divinity of the Torah and its binding nature just as much as any Orthodox rabbi today, even if his community's traditions were not identical to those of the Talmud. If the author isn't untrustworthy about Judaism, how can I trust his discussion of Greece?
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  • Ashanti
    5.0 out of 5 stars It’s almost brand new
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    It’s basically brand new! The cover has little smudges on it but the pages are nice and crisp. I am very satisfied.
    Customer image
    Ashanti
    5.0 out of 5 stars It’s almost brand new
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2020
    It’s basically brand new! The cover has little smudges on it but the pages are nice and crisp. I am very satisfied.
    Images in this review
    Customer image Customer image
    Customer imageCustomer image
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  • B. R. Muldoon
    2.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money
    Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Book/ CD provided little details.
    Overly focused on Alexander/! Macedonians sexuality. Provided apt no detail of Central Asia n conquests or organization of army/ Empire

    Is like a graphic novel/ comic book
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  • Donald W. Carter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Very well pleased. Thanks--Good work
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  • pgoods7247
    4.0 out of 5 stars It is worth the risk.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    The book was just as described. Great find. The bookstore charges $15 for this book. Shipped promptly and worth the money.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kevlar
    3.0 out of 5 stars Too short.
    Reviewed in Canada on November 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Despite its concise delivery it is very well written and a great introduction to one of histories most infamous warlords.
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