Audiobook · read by volunteers
Alexander the Great
Jacob Abbott (1803–1879)
Read by Lizzie Driver · 12 chapters · 5 h 57
About the book
At twenty, Alexander inherited the throne of Macedon, and in little more than a decade he had marched an army across the known world, won every battle he fought, and founded cities that carried his name from Egypt to Central Asia. Jacob Abbott’s biography tells the story for young readers, but it is far from childish. It follows Alexander from boyhood and his famous teacher Aristotle to the first victories against Persia, the long campaigns that followed, the foundation of a new empire and his death in Babylon. Abbott writes clearly and with a gift for scene-setting, using vivid episodes to explain what happened and why. This is a short, engaging introduction to a figure who has fascinated writers and soldiers for more than two thousand years. Lizzie Driver reads the twelve chapters, and the book lasts about six hours. A good companion for history lovers of any age.
Introduction
Jacob Abbott was born in 1803 and died in 1879. He was an American writer and educator who wrote a very large number of books for young readers, including the popular Rollo series and a long shelf of biographies of famous historical figures. His books aimed to be instructive and entertaining at once, and for decades they were found in homes and schools.
Alexander the Great was published in 1849 and belongs to Abbott’s series of historical biographies, which includes volumes on Cyrus, Darius, Hannibal, Julius Caesar and many others. These books were intended for young readers, written in simple, accessible language and focusing on narrative rather than scholarly debate.
Alexander himself is one of the most striking figures in ancient history. By the time of his death, he had conquered most of the world known to the ancient Greeks, and he was undefeated in battle. Historians still debate his character, his goals and the nature of his legacy. Abbott’s account reflects the scholarship and the assumptions of the mid nineteenth century, and modern research has revised many details, but the pace and clarity of the telling remain attractive.
This LibriVox recording has twelve chapters, running from Alexander’s childhood and youth through the beginning of his reign and onward, and it lasts about six hours. The chapter titles trace the story from 'Crossing the Hellespont' to 'The Siege of Tyre', 'Defeat of Darius' and 'Alexander’s End'. It is read by volunteer Lizzie Driver. It is suited to students, parents who like to share history, and anyone who wants a gentle introduction before turning to a more detailed modern study.
Public domain
Jacob Abbott died in 1879: the work is in the public domain in Switzerland, more than 70 years after the author’s death.
The LibriVox volunteers dedicated this recording to the public domain.
Sources : LibriVox page · Files at the Internet Archive · Original text