"Nikos Kazantzakis, often referred to as the Homer of modern Greece, is closely related to the heroes of ancient Greece. In this historical novel, based on the life of Alexander the Great, Kazantzakis draws from both the rich tradition of Greek legend and the recorded manuscripts of historical archives to recreate an Alexander in all his multifaceted aspects - Alexander the god; Alexander the descendant of Heracles who accomplished the twelve labors; Alexander the mystic, the bold visionary destined to carry out a divine mission; Alexander the mortal, flesh and blood, who at times is no better than an ordinary soldier who quarrels and drinks.

The novel, which resists the temptation to depict Alexander in the guise of a purely romantic legend, covers his life from the age of fifteen until his death. It begins with his first feat, when he tames the famous horse, Bucephalus, and we mainly see him through the eyes of his young neighbor, who eventually becomes an officer in his army and follows him on his campaign to conquer the world.

The book, originally written as an educational aid for young readers, is intended for the adult mind equally and, like the legends of old, is both entertaining and instructive for readers of all ages. (From the English edition Nikos Kazantzakis, "Alexander the Great", Ohio University Press, Athens (Ohio)-London, U.S.A. 1982)

"From his birth in 356 B.C. to his death in 323 B.C., when he was no more than 33 years old, the life of Alexander the Great, son of Philip II of Macedon, unfolds. After his father united Greece, Alexander knew what his own mission must be: to conquer Asia and bring the freedom of the Greeks to the ends of the world.

To achieve this, Alexander relies on two robust foundations: Homer and Aristotle. The former instills in him the heroism necessary to undertake such an endeavor and face dangers without fear; the latter helps him to educate himself with prudence and wisdom, two virtues that the young Alexander cultivated not without effort. Holding on to these two axes, wisdom and heroism, Kazantzakis developed the life of Alexander and his companions, recreating the unparalleled landscapes that dazzled the eyes of the West, the battles for power and the ambition for wealth, and fundamentally, the pure, undiluted ideal of Alexander to fulfill the mission entrusted to him by the gods.

Young readers will find in these pages an equal. Alexander is someone who knew how to offer his life for a noble ideal, who fought against the pettiness and smallness of human nature, not always victoriously, but ultimately, and in this lies his greatness, he gave his youth in exchange for a heroic and glorious struggle." (From the Argentine edition Niko Kazantzakis, "Alejandro el Grande", Ediciones Carlos Lohle, Buenos Aires - Argentina 1983)