Alexander: Child of a Dream. Review on Alexander: Child of a Dream - Valerio Massimo Manfredi

Alexander: The child of dreams: - Valerio Massimo Manfredi

Much is said about greatness about many learned men and most of what is said is true in its own sense. But when I started searching for some apt saying to start my review, I couldn't find any. Because what can be said about someone who is personification of greatness.

Alexander, The Great

This book is the first of a three part series originally written by Valerio Massimo Manfredi in Italian and translated in English by Iain Halliday. I was always been fascinated by Alexander and as to what exactly is the reason he is called ''The Great'', I mean, what did he do to deserve this title? That's why when I saw this book in the bookstore I knew I had to buy it. And trust me you, I wasn't disappointed.

The first book starts with the prophecy before the birth of Alexander. Queen Olympias of Macedonia had a dream before the birth of her son and so she decides to visit the Oracle of Dodona. It is here that the wind that blew through the old forest spelled out the name of her son, Alexandros!.

After a start which leaves a lasting impact on the readers, Valerio then literally transports the readers back to ancient Greece, to the palaces of King Philip II of Macedonia, where these events take place. Alexander, from a very young age, is trained to be a King. He starts developing a kind of presence which command respect from his seniors as well as his friends. Alexander starts his schooling under a learned man called Leonidas. Here he meets his friends Ptolemy, Perdiccas, Lysimachus, Seleucus, Leonnatus and Philotas, who later on become his companions and his generals. It was during this time he meets his best friend and later alleged lover Hephaestion.

All this while when Alexander is busy with gathering knowledge on how to be come a warrior and a ruler, his father, King Philip, is making plans to expand his kingdom. King Philip wanted to unite all the Greeks under one banner, his banner, and then take on the Persians of Asia. He was a very fearsome man and an equally great warrior but the rest of the Greeks still perceived him as a barbarian. He wanted Alexander to be accepted as a Greek king then a barbarian King. So when Alexander turned 16, he, along with his friends, was sent off to Mieza study under the greatest minds of that time, Aristotle. Here the young prince and his friends were trained on various fields like literature and arts and sciences. But apart from this the young prince was to be trained on Politics and Philosophy as well.

Alexander and his friends stayed in Mieza for 2 years and were trained well under the guidance of Aristotle. Here not only did Alexander learn a lot from his esteemed teacher but his friendship with Hepheastion also grew by leaps and bounds. By the time Alexander returned from his higher studies, King Philip was trying to unite most of the Greeks under his banner and to form a Pan-Hellenic league. He formed a special cavalry called the Vanguards comprising of all Alexander's friends and made him their leader.

King Philip was at war with the Greeks who were opposing the formation of the Pan-Hellenic league. He intended to make an example out of them. He left for war leaving Alexander in charge of the kingdom. Alexander was increasingly getting restless as he also wanted to be part of the war and be in the frontline to face the enemy. He got his chance finally when King Philip sent for him during the war of Chaeronaea. Alexander and his Vanguards unleashed terror amongst the enemy troops. Alexander fought valiantly and any doubt anyone had about his being just a boy. When the cloud of dust settled after the war, the battlefield was covered with blood and bodies of dead enemy soldiers. King Philip had set an example for his foes and his Pan-Hellenic League was finally formed.

On one hand Alexander was excited about his father's success but on the other hand his mother wasn't very satisfied. Queen Olympia was upset about the fact the King Philip was getting married again and this time with his general's daughter. She manages to plant a seed of doubt in Alexander's mind about his father's intentions. King's marriage was as expected a grandiose affair. But after the wedding during the banquette General Attalus, King's new father-in-law, made a comment about her daughter giving a legitimate heir to Macedonia. This made Alexander boil with anger and assault him which finally involved the King too. As a consequence Alexander and his friends were forced to live in exile for almost a year. The queen was also forced to move to her brother's place also by the name Alexander.

Philip, in a very shrewd political move, decided to marry his daughter Cleopatra to Olympia's brother Alexander, king of Epirus. Difference between Alexander and his father are finally settled by his friends and well wishers particularly by the secretary general for the King Eumenes.

During the marriage of Cleopatra, King Philip was assassinated by one of his guards. Things started happening fast after Philips death. Alexander had to move in position fast to avoid giving advantage to his opponents cause Philip had already made advances towards Asia. It was during these times that Alexander evolved from the young charming prince to a fearful king. He took command of his army and his country. He then proceeded to prove his Greek allies that he was equally capable of leading them, probably more, than his father. He made plans to attack Asia and the beginning of his journey was towards a place called Ilium built on the ruins of Troy

The dream that he had seen during his childhood about seeing far off places, places full of wonders, places full of mystery, places full of adventure and places full of riches. With such strong determination and such confidence Alexander set out to conquer the world, his first stop Asia!

Thus concludes the first book, with Alexander landing in Asia. This book leaves you feeling all excited and ready to seek out adventures of the unknown world. It is truly amazing the way Valerio has captured the essence of Alexander and ancient Greece. This is not a single dull moment in the book and the flow is nothing shorter to flawless. Iain Halliday has done an equally magnificent job of translation, not that I have read the original Italian version, but nevertheless excellent piece of work.

This book is for everyone regardless of their choice. But people with an inclination toward adventure and history will absolutely love this book.

p.s. I am currently reading the second book Alexander: The sands of Ammon, watch out for the review.