‘Popular history at its very best, thought-provoking and accessible. Underpinned by serious research, and written with panache, it summons up a vanished world’ SUNDAY TELEGRAPH This is a stunning new narrative of Alexander the Great – one of the most significant figures of the ancient world, whose early decades remain a mystery to this day. The story of Alexander the Great often reads like a novel: son of a mother who loved snakes and a father who had experienced wars; a pupil of Aristotle; a young man from the periphery of the Greek world who embarked on his first campaign at the age of sixteen, became king of Macedonia at twenty and king of Asia at twenty-five, leading his troops into battles like a heroic figure of Homer. Each generation has looked through the murky glass of history and drawn its own conclusions about Alexander, whether as an enlightened leader, military genius, or as a megalomaniac, drunken or tyrant. Yet the first two decades of his life remain a mystery – a matter of legend and myth. This extraordinary story draws from new archaeological discoveries to tell the early life of Alexander and his rise – including details of the tumultuous relationship between his parents, Philip and the Molossian princess Olympias, his education by Aristotle, and the rigorous military training that would serve him well in later years. Amassing shocking contemporary archaeological discoveries, this book brings into focus the ancient world of Alexander. With every piece of this shattered past, unearthed with a shovel, pick, and hoe, a new story is written. The forgotten story of the young Alexander is revealed. Pages: 512, Dimensions: 12.9x12.9cm