Books with title Alexander the Great: True Lives

Notwithstanding the briefness of Alexander's career, he ran through, during that short period, a very brilliant series of exploits, which were so bold, so romantic, and which led him into such adventures in scenes of the greatest magnificence and splendor, that all the world looked on with astonishment then, and mankind have continued to read the story since, from age to age, with the greatest interest and attention. Character of Alexander. Mental and physical qualities. The secret of Alexander's success was his character.

Alexander the Great is a towering figure in ancient history because of his legendary conquests throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. He was born in 356 BC to the noble family of Macedon. As such, he was afforded with great luxuries growing up including having Aristotle as his private tutor. After his father was assassinated, he took over the throne and inherited a formidable army which he would put to tremendous use. Alexander was just in his early twenties when he embarked on an ambitious expansion of his territories. Despite his youth, he proved to be a capable military strategist and captured nearly all the kingdoms in his path, often leading the battles himself. Even the mighty Persians who had terrorized the Greek states for centuries had been defeated by his army. He also conquered Egypt, took the title of Pharaoh, and founded the city of Alexandria. His campaigns reached as far as India and could have gone farther if not for his men's refusal to march on due to homesickness. Despite this premature turnaround back to Macedon, he was able to consolidate most of the known world under his rule -- a feat never before achieved. He caught a vicious illness on the way back and died at the age of 32 far away from his home. This book is part of a biography series by brothers Jacob and John Abbott first published in the 1800s with a few updates and revisions. It continues to be one of the best books written on Alexander the Great, his incredible conquests, his eventual downfall, and the aftermath of his death. It is filled with fascinating details and deep insights into that period in history. Alexander's military tactics are still taught the world over and his influence lingers even after thousands of years.

Jacob Abbott (1803-1879) was an American writer of children's books. He was a prolific author, writing juvenile fiction, brief histories, biographies, religious books for the general reader, and a few works in popular science. His Rollo Books, such as Rollo at Work (1837) and Rollo at Play (1837) are the best known of his writings, having as their chief characters a representative boy and his associates. His other works include: The Teacher; or, Moral Influences Employed in the Instruction and Government of the Young (1833), Rollo on the Atlantic (1853), Rollo in Paris (1854), Rollo on the Rhine (1855), Georgie (1855), Rollo in Holland (1856), Rollo in Rome (1858), Rollo in Switzerland (1858), Rollo in the Woods and Peter the Great.

Alexander the Great is part of Makers of History, a 19th century biography series by two brothers, Jacob and John S.C. Abbott. Alexander the Great is by Jacob Abbott. Abbott's account of Alexander's life reads like a Greek tragedy. As in the Bible when Jesus admonished, "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?