Who Was Alexander the Great?

Who Was . . . ? Series

by Robin Waterfield, Kathryn Waterfield, Andrew Thomson (Illustrations)

Alexander the Great conquers the New York Times best-selling Who Was...? series!

When Alexander was a boy in ancient Macedon, he already had grand ambitions. He complained that his father, the great king of Macedon, wasn't leaving anything for him to conquer! This, of course, was not the case. King Alexander went on to control most of the known world of the time. His victories won him many supporters, but they also earned him enemies. This easy-to-read biography offers a fascinating look at the life of Alexander and the world he lived in.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Childrens, Ancient History, Ancient, Education

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2016

About the author

Robin Anthony Herschel Waterfield is a British classical scholar, translator, editor, and writer of children's fiction.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings the fearless man - Alexander the Great - who conquered most of the known world, and became known as one of the greatest generals ever.

Alexander was born in 356 BC in Macedon, north of ancient Greece. He received a fine education, and grew up with a belief that he could conquer the world.

At the time, the Persians had the greatest empire in the world. They conquered many Greek cities. It was Alexander’s goal to free those Greeks from Persian rule.

Alexander was twenty when his father was killed. He became King Alexander III of Macedon.

Now, as a king, he carried his goal of conquering Persia. After the fights, he visited the hospital tent where he visited the wounded soldiers and thanked them for their bravery. The soldiers loved him for his caring nature.

After conquering Persia, the soldiers thought of going back home, but Alexander wanted to conquer more lands. And he did, but it all came to an end on June 10, 323 BC. He was thirty-two when he died. It is not known if it was poisoning as some officers were plotting against him as there was no end to his conquests or if it was possibly due to complications from previous wound.

He fought for twelve years, became known as Alexander the Great, because he did so much and so quickly. But after his death there was no one to lead all the lands he conquered. His generals began to fight for power. At the end, three leaders became kings.

This biography demonstrates a man who was a true victor, who from young age knew that he wanted to conquer the world.

Most of the story is about his conquests. He was such a smart man. One of his teachers was Aristotle. It would be interesting to learn more about his schooling time and how it shaped him.

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Be Ambitious

https://biopurposeland.blogspot.com/

[Tim Baumgartner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just gave a lecture on the resurrection of Jesus and I used Alexander the Great as an example for how [most] people don't question the authenticity of the records of his life that came 400 years after his death, but with Jesus, a LOT of people do, although our records of Jesus' life are less than 50 years [within the lifetime of eyewitnesses].

Why is this?

I keep hearing things like:

"So much is at stake."
"Jesus is claiming to be God."
"Alexander the Great didn't make the claims Jesus made."

As you can [hopefully] tell, there isn't too much logic in these arguments--these assessors of history are not utilizing the evidence in consistent ways.

Now, I'm not trying to say I'm perfect or all-knowing [Ha! FAR from it!!!], but I admit I have some reading to do. I am interested in why Muslims claim Alexander the Great is considered a prophet. Now, I realize he went to Babylon and took a wife there, but prophethood is something entirely different. If you know, let ME know! : )

Anyways, ever since I started studying history [for REAL], in college, I heard about how he paved the way for the Gospel of Jesus to be spread MUCH easier across the Koine Greek-speaking world [the "English" of their day]. I thought that was pretty cool--even though I was JUST learning about Christianity. It made it seem that God was somehow involved in HIS-STORY.

Anyways, this was an easy read that included the reminder that power corrupts [I WAS impressed by how he tried to check on his soldiers and people in the beginning, but, again, it seemed he let the power get to his head at some point.]

I was also surprised to see he used the phrase "King of kings" as a self-proclamation. Interesting, Dear Watson. Very interesting...

[Essa Elmasry · Rating 4 out of 5]

جميل يقول كل حاجة لأكن بدون تفاصيل

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot and have mentally planned to read an adult biography of Alexander the Great. I had no idea that Alexander had actually conquered some of northern India. I hadn’t read the story of Bucephalus before either. I would bet that he noticed that the horse was afraid of his shadow as a result of Aristotle’s teaching! Definitely recommended!

[Pumkin pie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75. This is another solid addition to this series and it gives a solid overview of Alexander. I think it is perfect for students or people who want a quick idea of the massive influence of Alexander. The book was a little too focused on his strengths and kind of glossed over some of his deficiencies. It felt a little bit like the author was bowing down before the alter of Alexander, which would have brought a smile to the self proclaimed King of Kings.

[Kristi Clemow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting facts in this book like how Alexander used elephants in war. Weird. He was certainly obsessed with power. And no facial hair? Weird again.

[Jeremy Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we've been homeschooling this past year due to Covid-19, we've wound up reading a number of the "Who Was/What is/Where was" books as part of our history studies. I have been pretty impressed with them overall. They do a really good job of introducing a historical topic and having it be accessible for kids. At least I know that my kids have really enjoyed the books.

This one is on Alexander the Great and tells the general arc of his life. It starts with him as the son of King Philip II of Macedon and some stories from his youth. It then continues on to the assassination of his father and his own rise to the throne. It then tells of Alexander's battles and conquests as he creates one of the largest empires up to that point in history. I felt like it did a really good job giving the overview of Alexander's life.

Now again these are set of books for kids and I'm sure there are aspects of Alexander's life they don't touch. Either because it's more complicated, historically debated, or simply not kid friendly; but I felt like they gave enough to give the kids a good handle on who Alexander the Great was, and honestly anyone who didn't already know about him. I even found myself learning a thing or two from the book, even though I knew a fair amount of his story already.

As I've said I've really enjoyed this series of books and really recommend them for kids who love history or for wanting to introduce your kids to some of the major places, events, or (as in this book) person of history.

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This another great addition to this high-interest low-reading level biography series. The short chapters are perfect for kids reading at a 3rd-4th grade level, but the sophisticated ink illustrations are appealing to older kids and even adults.

Some picky geography details annoyed me. Most of the places are referred to by the 21st century names, like India, Afghanistan, Syria, ect. This isn't so much of a problem, since I guess these modern names help kid readers relate. But the author calls Alexander a European and makes a big deal about him conquering "Asia". I find that narrative slant very 19th Century colonial. The last pages where the story sums up what makes him great says: "he brought Europeans deep into Asia" and "He changed the world forever". What he really did was bring Greek culture, language and religion into the Middle East, replacing Farsi/Persian influence.

My sons wanted more clarity about what made him "Great". Was he a great king? No, he died too early. Wikipedia said that he was great because he never lost a battle. The text of this bio definitely shows readers the intensity of ancient battles, and the odds he was up against.

The informative side boxes are awesome, as always. We would have liked one about Alexander's child by Rhoxana. Was it a boy or a girl? Did the child become a ruler? I guess the petty fighting that led to his son's assassination would have been too much of a downer.

[Elise Haroldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great, simple biography in the WHOHQ series. I really didn't know much about Alexander the Great going into this book. (Long story, but I didn't take World History in High School due to a scheduling conflict - and I only studied U.S. History and AP U.S. History.) I *knew* of him but really didn't realize how much he affected world history as we know it and how widespread his war campaign had reached.

Even more fascinating was to read this book about Alexander the Great and then have his name come up in a church sermon (We are going through the prophecies of Zechariah - and there is a section foretelling the fall of Tyre - a city that thought it was invincible - and this book highlighted Alexander's military genius at how he conquered the famous city!)

I mainly was reading this book as research for my own fictional series - and I think I may look up an even more detailed account of Alexander's life now.

Things I love about these books: the comprehensive timelines, helpful maps, and the historical "bunny trail" tidbits they tie in. I also appreciated how they highlighted some of his character flaws. They didn't condemn or glorify his actions and choices (Which, of course, were horrible!), but presented the facts as they happened.

Great books for kids and adults!

[Rob Chappell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides an accurate yet concise overview of the life and legacy of Alexander the Great, perhaps the most celebrated conqueror of the ancient world. Starting with his childhood in the Macedonian royal court, highlighting his achievements on many fronts, and concluding with his untimely death at Babylon, the authors provide helpful sidebar articles along the way, and line-drawn B&W illustrations help readers to visualize the people, places, and events that are being discussed in the narrative.

I read this book to refamiliarize myself with the life of Alexander the Great, in preparation for some lectures and presentations that I'll be giving in upcoming months. I would highly recommend it to readers young and old who want to use it as a point of departure for learning more about this amazing personality of the ancient world.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who Was Alexander the Great by Kathryn Waterfield & Robin Waterfield is a great overview of the life of Alexander the Great. The son of the Macedon King, he was taught from his early childhood in various subjects as well as training in military arts. He soon was accompanying his father on campaigns to conquer nearby kingdoms. Once accomplished, their sights were set on the Persian Empire. Alexander pressed on and soon brought them under his control!

As the author points out, Alexander continued until he had conquered most of the known world. He wanted to continue but many of the men in his army were weary of war and wanted to return home. He relent and on the way home he died and there was fighting about who would take over his empire that caused it to split apart. This was a great overview of the life and accomplishments of Alexander the Great.

[Elina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a nice book. But at the end Alexander the Great becomes a little bit stubborn. But he was a great man he conquered a lot of countries. So first the book tells some facts about Alexander the Great. So they tell there's a horse he's very fast and hard to control but when Alexander the Great was small he managed to control that horse I forgot the horse's name it started with the letter b now when the horse died Alexander the Great named one of the Cities he had conquered after the horse. I also think when the horse died Alexander lost his stubbornness. And got back in kindness before he had almost ruled the whole world but yes he was a great man and I guess the people still love him and won't forget him. The end.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I was reading the book, my friend's playing Assassin Egypt. The lighthouse and the library of the city of Alexandria are recreated in the game. In reading the book, I wonder why he continued his conquest even though he has already achieve so vast an empire. Would he be afraid of managing the empire? Repeatedly, soldiers wanted to go home but he was not fretted. What did he plan? Egypt and Persian must be a very prosperous and attractive than Macedon or even Europe at the time. He chose to stay and even married locally. He really wanted to root in Egypt. Why did he continue to conquest? Apart from land, what did a conquest get for him?

[Verona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books for how they share in an engaging and simple way, the story of famous people in history. In a little over 100 pages, you learn about the high points of their lives and you can always research further if something catches your eye that you'd like to know more about. I didn't know that Alexander had his men build a road through the water to the island of Tyre so he could attack it and that Tyre continues to be joined to the mainland even today because of his efforts. I didn't know that Aristotle was one of Alexanders teachers. Lots of great info. in these little books and pictures too.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this was an informative children's biography, the writing style was terrible! Many sentences were incomplete, starting with a conjunction. As a teacher who tries to encourage good grammar in written assignments, I was appalled at the sloppy grammar! The only reason I gave it more than 1 star is because of the information that would be interesting to my students while studying a unit on Greece.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

106 pages. This was a very interesting biography on an ancient military leader who tried to conquer the world. I think the author did a good job of keeping a balance between the man who was strong and determined and the man who went too far. The additional information fact pages were very helpful, along with maps, timelines and illustrations. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nicely illustrated account of the life of Alexander the Great written for upper elementary aged kids. While it's language could be less simplistic, it's a good introduction to the life of Alexander and has several anecdotal stories that kids will enjoy reading.

[Elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought for classroom library for 6th grade world history. Added to text set for student reading during Ancient Greeks unit. Serves as a print resource for students researching Alexander the Great for research papers.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting

[Benjamin Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay greece or is it this book is about a young Macedonian king whom had concord ca lot of land.

[Some Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a highly informative, entertaining, and age-appropriate historical short read, with good illustrations inside.

[Jimish Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read for us adults. I learnt some facts that I had no idea about. Did you know that he named two cities after him ? Quite refreshing !

[Cora Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it. I recommend this book to people who like histroy

[Dru · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly about battles and conquests. Not as interesting as some other I have read.

[Tam Newell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite in the series as I’m weak on ancient history.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting overview of his life and times. A good job was done detailing BC/AD.

[Amanda Waldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great addition in the who was series. Very informative and my 10 year old liked it. She thought it was funny that he named all the town's after himself lol.
Recommend for a 4th grader

[Connor Paradis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, this series produces another fantastic short biography packed to the brim of useful and accurate information.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ole Alex was a busy man, he conquered most of the countries near his homeland. He was a stubborn man who fought for what he wanted. This was an interesting history of his life.