Alexander the Great

Advantages: Good story, Loads of factual information
Disadvantages: Nearly 3 hours long!

...Stretch Story: Alexander follows the true story of Macedonian conquerer Alexander the great and his rise to power over the Persian army which led him famously to controling 90% of the known world with an empire that spread 22,000 miles all the way from Greece to India before the age of 25. The story begins as Alexanders father king Philip is murdered leaving Alexander to take the throne at the young age of 20 and continue in his fathers crusade to crush the persian army. His first battle is with the mighty Darius commander of the Persian army and the man Alexander suspects of funding his fathers murder, Though being greatly outnumbered with his 40,000 troops to the 200,000 strong Persian slave army he rises to victory and forces Darius into exile proving he has his fathers leadership skills and winning over his army's loyalty... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: great story telling, great pictures
Disadvantages: probably too light for the serious student

...Michael Wood is the everyman of history in the media; casual and charismatic, TV friendly and a fantastic story teller. The book is a companion to the TV series as is the usual format for Woods work. To travel the path taken by Alexander the Great is no small undertaking. The research alone to re-kindle footsteps taken over 2000 years ago is an admirable project, to actually re-travel the route is an amazing task which can not fail to make a great story. The book works on two levels. At the same time as explaining the reasons and routes behind Alexanders advance, Wood is able to look for evidence still visable in the modern landscape. From buildiings and physical geography to stories still told and the people themselves help bring the story to life and turn the dusty pages of history into a beautiful joining of past and present... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: better to watch only once
Disadvantages: many

...It was directed by Oliver Stone. The film is based mostly on the book Alexander the Great, written in the 1970s by historian Robin Lane Fox, who gave up his screen credit in return for being allowed to take part in the epic cavalry charge during the film's recreation of the Battle of Gaugamela. The film proved controversial. It was critically derided upon its release and failed at the American box office, grossing only US$34 million domestically, while costing $155 million to produce. It did better internationally, however, grossing a total of $133 million in overseas revenue. This film give ssome controvercy about india and indian culture so it was opposed initially. This film potrays great zeal of that hero to concqure the whole world.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful