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Alexander at the End of the World: The Forgotten Final Years of Alexander the Great Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Rachel Kousser (Author), Robert Petkoff (Narrator), HarperAudio (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 114 ratings
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“A heart-pounding, mind-bending adventure.”—Ilyon Woo

A riveting biography of Alexander the Great’s final years, when the leader’s insatiable desire to conquer the world set him off on an exhilarating, harrowing journey that would define his legacy.

By 330 B.C.E., Alexander the Great had reached the pinnacle of success. Or so it seemed. He had defeated the Persian ruler Darius III and seized the capital city of Persepolis. His exhausted and traumatized soldiers were ready to return home to Macedonia. Yet Alexander had other plans. He was determined to continue heading east to Afghanistan in search of his ultimate goal: to reach the end of the world.

Alexander’s unrelenting desire to press on resulted in a perilous seven-year journey through the unknown eastern borderlands of the Persian empire that would test the great conqueror’s physical and mental limits. He faced challenges from the natural world, moving through deadly monsoons and extreme temperatures; from a rotating cast of well-matched adversaries, who conspired against him at every turn; and even from his own men, who questioned his motives and distrusted the very beliefson which Alexander built his empire. This incredible sweep of time, culminating with his death in 323 BC at the age of 32, would come to determine Alexander’s legacy and shape the empire he left behind.

In Alexander at the End of the World, renowned classicist and art history professor Rachel Kousser vividly brings to life Alexander’s labyrinthine, treacherous final years, weaving together a brilliant series of epic battles, stunning landscapes, and nearly insurmountable obstacles. Meticulously researched and grippingly written, Kousser’s narrative is an unforgettable tale of daring and adventure, an inspiring portrait of grit and ambition, and a powerful meditation on the ability to learn from failure.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

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  1. Listening Length
    11 hours and 15 minutes
  2. Author
    Rachel Kousser
  3. Narrator
    Robert Petkoff
  4. Audible release date
    July 16, 2024
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    HarperAudio
  7. ASIN
    B0C6FNX8GX
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 11 hours and 15 minutes
Author Rachel Kousser
Narrator Robert Petkoff
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date July 16, 2024
Publisher HarperAudio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0C6FNX8GX
Best Sellers Rank #35,872 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#16 in Historical Greece Biographies
#17 in Ancient & Classical Greek History
#21 in Greek History

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
114 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and informative about one of history's greatest leaders. They describe it as a great read with fantastic research that provides a nuanced view of Alexander. The book offers a detailed account of his campaigns and strategies for expansion.

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5 customers mention "Insight"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and informative about Alexander the Great. They appreciate the fantastic research and engaging storytelling. The author weaves his own insights and opinions skillfully into the story. Overall, readers find the book thought-provoking and refreshing.

"...Alexander at the End of the World is a wonderful, thought-provoking book." Read more

"Wonderful and informative on the last campaigns of Alex The Great (as he's known in our house)...." Read more

"...Fantastic research to generate the views in this wonderful work. Much appreciated- I learned a lot from it. Strong recommendation for this book." Read more

"...The author’s own insights and opinions were also weaved in skilfully. There was appropriate colour, backed up by deep research. Highly recommend." Read more

5 customers mention "Value for money"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They say it's worth their time and money.

"...Hero and anti-hero. Alexander at the End of the World is a wonderful, thought-provoking book." Read more

"Wonderful and informative on the last campaigns of Alex The Great (as he's known in our house)...." Read more

"...Fantastic research to generate the views in this wonderful work. Much appreciated- I learned a lot from it. Strong recommendation for this book." Read more

"The book is well worth your time and money. It's so well written that sometimes I felt as though I was reading fiction." Read more

3 customers mention "Depth"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's depth. They find it offers a nuanced view of their Macedonian hero and provides insights into the man, parts of the world, and Alexander's campaigns and strategies for expansion.

"The book provided information and insights into a man, parts of the world, and a period of history that I knew little about...." Read more

"...Her analysis offers a new, more nuanced view of my Macedonian hero. Generous and brutal. Blind and far-seeing. Hero and anti-hero...." Read more

"Kousser presents a detailed and nuanced account of Alexander’s campaigns and strategies for the expansion of his realm in the East - Afghanistan in..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The book provided information and insights into a man, parts of the world, and a period of history that I knew little about. I enjoyed and learned a lot from it.
    Helpful
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  • Bill Thompson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pothos me!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I don’t write many book reviews, but this one by Rachel Kousser deserves one. I have read many biographies of Alexander and primary sources (and my thesis for my Masters degree in Greek history was on 4th century Greece). Kousser’s examination of Alexander’s last years is excellent! Her analysis offers a new, more nuanced view of my Macedonian hero. Generous and brutal. Blind and far-seeing. Hero and anti-hero. Alexander at the End of the World is a wonderful, thought-provoking book.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Barry For Good Government
    4.0 out of 5 stars Deep Into History of Amazing King Alexander
    Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Fine volume, with--perhaps--to much detail but covers final decades of brilliant exploits of Alexander-the-Great!
    One person found this helpful
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  • John White
    3.0 out of 5 stars Ok
    Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    300 pages of large print story, then 100 pages of notes. Nothing new. Save time and watch the movie instead.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Cita
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and informative!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Wonderful and informative on the last campaigns of Alex The Great (as he's known in our house). Maps might have been improved a bit: towns mentioned in text sometimes not visible on maps.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Neil P. Reid
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding insight to one of history’s greatest leaders.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Outstanding and refreshing insight on Alexander the Great. Fantastic research to generate the views in this wonderful work. Much appreciated- I learned a lot from it. Strong recommendation for this book.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • gingblack@aol.com
    5.0 out of 5 stars unexpectedly good
    Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I have read many books about Alexander the Great. Some good and some not so good. I took a chance on this book by and author I didn’t know. It was very good and insightful with some info i didn’t know. Very engaging.
    Helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Liked It
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2024
    By 330 B.C.E., Alexander the Great had reached the pinnacle of success. Or so it seemed. He had defeated the Persian ruler Darius III and seized the capital city of Persepolis. His exhausted and traumatized soldiers were ready to return home to Macedonia. Yet Alexander had other plans. He was determined to continue heading east to Afghanistan in search of his ultimate goal: to reach the end of the world.

    Alexander’s unrelenting desire to press on resulted in a perilous seven-year journey through the unknown eastern borderlands of the Persian empire that would test the great conqueror’s physical and mental limits. He faced challenges from the natural world, moving through deadly monsoons and extreme temperatures; from a rotating cast of well-matched adversaries, who conspired against him at every turn; and even from his own men, who questioned his motives and distrusted the very beliefs on which Alexander built his empire. This incredible sweep of time, culminating with his death in 323 BC at the age of 32, would come to determine Alexander’s legacy and shape the empire he left behind.

    Better than a textbook, but not similar to Erik Larson or David Grann. Rachel Kousser writes very vivid and thoroughly researched histories. There is very limited, if any, potential dialogue. There is a focus on Alexander’s empire, with focuses on the tension that Alexander caused in many areas. Alexander was clearly someone who thought the world was not enough.

    Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Christina Brotto
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read
    Reviewed in Canada on October 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I've always been fascinated with the history of ancient civilizations, such as Egypt, Rome and Greece. I also find Alexander the Great an intriguing historical figure. Kousser brilliantly captures the final years of his life and provides a fresh perspective of not just Alexander's successes, but his failures as well. It is the failures that we really get to see how Alexander grows as a person and as a ruler at his time. In essence, he truly was a brilliant man who always thought outside of the box and was well ahead of his time. What is striking was how he tried to integrate the different cultures he conquered, attempting a multicultural empire, much to the Macedonians' chagrin. The challenges he faced at his time are challenges that we still even face today.

    I also love how this book doesn't read like a typical history textbook but instead like a story. It was easy to follow (even though there were names in there I wouldn't be able to pronounce lol) and reading it felt like going through an epic (and at times brutal and harrowing) adventure. I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially to ancient history enthusiasts like myself.

    To Rachel Kousser, I want to say well done and thank you for giving us a fresh and more updated perspective of one of history's most significant rulers of all time.
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  • Ronald W Olesen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched and written.
    Reviewed in Australia on November 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I thought the book brought to life Alexanders time and later campaigns in Asia and India. Put some meat on the bones of History.
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  • FN
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rachel Kousser a historian par excellence
    Reviewed in Canada on July 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Rachel has done a fantastic job in recreating the the achievements and failures of Alexander, a very complex character in the annals of history. Highly recommended.
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  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars History of this storied warrior
    Reviewed in Canada on December 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
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