The Virtues of War

A Novel of Alexander the Great

By: Steven Pressfield

Narrated by: John Lee

Told by Alexander the Great himself, this “sharp and colorful” (Washington Post Book World) novel presents a stunningly intimate account of the battles, the loves, the triumphs, and the tragedy of a man who conquered the world, from the bestselling author of Gates of Fire.

“Simply superb . . . Its expert pace, its vivid detail, its bone-crushing action, and its occasional piercing insights of sad eloquence make [The Virtues of War] an absolutely gripping read.”—Seattle Times

I have always been a soldier. I have known no other life.

So begins Alexander’s extraordinary confession on the eve of his greatest crisis of leadership. By turns heroic and calculating, compassionate and utterly merciless, Alexander recounts with a warrior’s unflinching eye for detail the blood, the terror, and the tactics of his greatest battlefield victories. Whether surviving his father’s brutal assassination, presiding over a massacre, or weeping at the death of a beloved comrade-in-arms, Alexander never denies the hard realities of the code by which he lives: the virtues of war.

But as much as he was feared by his enemies, he was loved and revered by his friends, his generals, and the men who followed him into battle. Often outnumbered, never outfought, Alexander conquered every enemy the world stood against him—except the one he never saw coming. . . .©2004 Steven Pressfield; (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Sharp and colorful . . . An extravagant exercise of the imagination.”—Washington Post Book World

“Simply superb . . . The Virtues of War is a battle book of camp and march, which Pressfield
does better than anyone. . . . Its expert pace, its vivid detail, its bone-crushing action, and its occasional piercing insights of sad eloquence make it an absolutely gripping read.”—Seattle Times

“The story of Alexander the Great is perhaps the greatest tale of battle and glory in human history, and Steven Pressfield tells it in brilliant, thrilling fashion. I turned the pages so fast I didn’t realize how much I was learning.”—Vince Flynn, author of Memorial Day

“If you want to know what it might have felt like to ride into battle with Alexander, read this striking book. From the mad rush of the cavalry to the trumpet of the war elephants, and from the solid bronze wall of the phalanx to the melee around the royal chariot, Pressfield has it all. The Virtues of War blends a scholar’s accuracy and a novelist’s eye.”—Barry Strauss, author of The Battle of Salamis and Professor of History and Classics, Cornell University

“Steven Pressfield has created a cracking, fast-paced contemporary retelling of the legend that is Alexander. This man was the greatest warrior of his time, possibly of all time, and Pressfield brings him alive for the modern audience with the verve and skill with which he conjured the heroes of Thermopylae in Gates of Fire. His first-person Alexander is a man who lives with the heart-blood of war flowing in every vein; he’s a hero, a general, a diplomat, and a scholar, but first and always, he is a warrior, a man who strives to hold his own integrity in the hardest of fields. Now more than ever, we need to remember what it is to live with integrity in the face of adversity. Steven Pressfield reminds us in style.”—Manda Scott, author of Boudica: Dreaming the Eagle

“In The Virtues of War Pressfield has tackled a subject worthy of his enormous talent . . . and triumphed again.”—Stephen Coonts, author of Liars & Thieves

“Wonderfully imagined . . . Stunningly graphic, intense and extraordinary.”—Nelson DeMille

“A tale as magnificent as Alexander, Warrior Supreme.”—W.E.B. Griffin

Concepts of war

I throughly enjoyed Mr. Pressfield's superb ability to introspectively describe the internal conflicts at the foundation of war and conquest.

Simply astonishing

Amazingly written. Perfect detail and level of commitment to no end. I recommend this read to anyone who aspires to be a leader.

STELLAR!

What did you love best about The Virtues of War?

Amazing audio book. Narration is very well done, and the story is very intriguing. If you know even a little about Alexander the Great, you will be very familiar with the subject matter. Talks a lot about his generals, major campaigns, etc.

Author takes a unique approach in that while it is historical, he took some liberties with the some of the characters/events that take place. He states this from the very beginning as well.

Great book!

highly recommended

Pressfield writes a great story around forgotten times. the narrator is very good and keeps you riveted. just wish it was longer.

Great Read and Good Narrator

Steven Pressfield has delivered another military nonfiction that is comparable to that of Gates of Fire.