
The Virtues of War
A Novel of Alexander the Great
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Narrated by:
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John Lee
About this listen
Told by Alexander the Great himself, this “sharp and colorful” (Washington Post Book World) novel presents a stunningly intimate account of the battles, the loves, the triumphs, and the tragedy of a man who conquered the world, from the best-selling author of Gates of Fire.
“Simply superb . . . Its expert pace, its vivid detail, its bone-crushing action, and its occasional piercing insights of sad eloquence make [The Virtues of War] an absolutely gripping read.”—Seattle Times
I have always been a soldier. I have known no other life.
So begins Alexander’s extraordinary confession on the eve of his greatest crisis of leadership. By turns heroic and calculating, compassionate and utterly merciless, Alexander recounts with a warrior’s unflinching eye for detail the blood, the terror, and the tactics of his greatest battlefield victories. Whether surviving his father’s brutal assassination, presiding over a massacre, or weeping at the death of a beloved comrade-in-arms, Alexander never denies the hard realities of the code by which he lives: the virtues of war.
But as much as he was feared by his enemies, he was loved and revered by his friends, his generals, and the men who followed him into battle. Often outnumbered, never outfought, Alexander conquered every enemy the world stood against him—except the one he never saw coming....
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The Virtues of War
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There are lessons in here I learned as an NCO in the Army, and notes I plan to pass onto the next generation of Soldiers. I couldn't help but notice the parallels between Alexander's army and our own in Afghanistan.
Few books have made me stop and think as much as this one.
incredible book!
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Presfield’s books also never disappoint in their composition.
Combining a superb author and a captivating story make for hours of enjoyment.
Highly recommend!
Fantastic book
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Heroic.
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Perfect
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One of the best war stories I have ever heard
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The narration was excellent and kept me engaged, although there were (very) few instances of confusion in conversions between characters due to not enough variance in voices. Again though, the narration was excellent otherwise. Will definitely read/listen again!
Epic Descriptive Talent
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the virtues of Steven Pressfield
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The magic, of course, is mostly in Pressfield's pen and imagination. He manages to detail some of the most epic battles in history, full of action and gore and triumph, but also delve into the moral and intellectual concerns which Alexander struggled with during his life, what Pressfield seems to posit as the qualities that truly made Alexander "great."
I was blown away by this book.
Considerable depth
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Excellently written and read. One of my favorites!
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I highly recommend this and other novels by Pressfield if you are a student of battle, business, or the mind; or even of you just live to read.
As good as expected.
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