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Virtual Macedonia Bookstore - The Army of Alexander the Great (Men at Arms Series, 148)
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List Price: $17.95
Our Price: $10.47
Your Save: $ 7.48 ( 42% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 355.009381
EAN: 9780850455397
ISBN: 0850455391
Label: Osprey Publishing
Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 48
Publication Date: 1992-03-26
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Release Date: 1992-03-26
Studio: Osprey Publishing
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Alexander's conquerors
Comment: The text is a basic examination of Alexandrian Macedonian tactics, organization, gear, and command-something that can be found just about anywhere. The plates, by Angus McBride, are certainly not his best and fail to really show us what the common phalanx soldier with his sarissa pike would have looked like.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Introduction
Comment: I love how some reviewers fancy themselves to be historians rather than enthusiasts. They rant about how a writer is mistaken because his interpretations in a field filled with contradictory information and scanty sources conflicts with the reviewer's opinion, which is usually based on current "fad" history. I guess a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, especially when more knowledge might turn that viewpoint around 180 degrees. I also like the ones that go on to say, "a much better source is..." then refer you to some long out-of-publication book or a massive 700 page tome. Come on, this was meant to be a 48 page overview or introduction to support some pictures, people! Finally, to the reviewer that criticized the plates of nude hunters, I ask: have you actually read this book? My copy has no plates of nude hunters.
The fact is, although I normally disapprove of sidestepping issues, the author's decision to avoid controversy by avoiding illustrations of Sarrisa use is understandable as this volume is far too thin to be getting into dragged out discussions. And as one can see, had he chosen to depict it one way or another, some "expert" would have written in blasting his choice.
The text mainly describes the organization of Alexander's armies including Companion cavalry, Thracian cavalry, allied infantry, mercenary infantry, etc. Sekunda gives his sources, whether it be some ancient writer or some archeological find, and where the information presented is a presumption based on minimal evidence, he lets you know. For this reason, unavoidably, the book glosses over some aspects while getting into surprising detail in others, such as tunic colors or shield devices. I also found thier use of inflated tents to cross rivers interesting. Again, bear in mind the limitations of what can be put into 48 pages. I must confess some of McBride's other work seems better. All in all, an excellent introduction to the subject, and a good addition to those looking for something that cuts through to just the details of unit composition. I have the combined volume "Alexander" (which includes Osprey's Campaign 7) and found it a fascinating read. Recommended, especially for those new to the subject or who like their info condensed into a neat little package. I plan on getting Osprey's "Macedonian Warrior" to read another take on the subject.
Customer Rating:
Summary: This Osprey doesn't hold the measure!
Comment: This Osprey doesen't have the quality as former Osprey books i have read.
The author don't have the right sources to write a book upon the subject.
Theres are lots of remarkable errors in the book.
For example no companion cavalryman in the platesfights with armour on, and no pictures showing infantry with sarrisas(5m long spears) the weapon the Macedonians whas become famous with.
The worst errors in the plates are soldiers hunting nude.
Personally i like Angus McBride but this is not one of his better illustations.
And for the writer, Nick Sekunda, his writng is terrible.
I am very disappointed about this book.
I had such high expections on this book becuse it is a so important subject.
Alexander was that important subject, and im sad to now that we now so little about him, and espcially his fighting forces.
Gustav Fils
Customer Rating:
Summary: Some severe problems....
Comment: These Osprey books usually are pretty accurate.... But this one is a rare exception. The order-of-battle information is OK, but when it comes to clothes and weapons of Alexander's troops, Sekunda is off in left field. He relies almost exclusively on the so-called "Alexander Sarcophagus". This was carved for a Phoenician client-king by imported Greek artists, and the protrayal of Macedonian troops on it seems to have been strongly affected by old Greek artistic conventions, e.g. "heroic nudity". Sekunda can't quite bring himself to believe that Macedonian infantry fought stark naked, but he does accept other features of these carvings that are strongly contradicted by the literary sources. The worst error is his claim that Alexander's infantry all used the old "Argive" or "hoplite" shield, which would make it impossible for them to use both hands to hold their long pikes. The illustrator has neatly dodged this issue by showing all the Macedonians fighting with only their swords in skirmishing or urban-warfare scenes. If you really want to know how Alexander's troops looked, find a copy of Duncan Head's ARMIES OF THE MACEDONIAN AND PUNIC WARS (1982) with has a much more complete treatment based on a variety of sources.
Customer Rating:
Summary: An area that desperately needs more researchers!!
Comment: The army of Alexander would seem to be an excellent topic for a book. Yet, this is the only one in existence that documents colours as well as weapons/tactics etc. The art is quite superb. A unique book, delving into an area that despeartely needs more researchers!
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Editorial Reviews:
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When Philip II ascended the throne in 359 BC, Macedonia was in danger of being engulfed by wild barbarian tribes to the north and wily Greek cities to the south. Philip had to expand the power of the throne or be swallowed up: the creation of a powerful army was imperative. When his son, Alexander, inherited his kingdom at the age of 20, he also inherited an army which was truly unrivalled. The Macedonians were veterans of battle, well equipped and eager for conquest. Add to this Alexander's supreme gifts as military commander and it is little wonder they achieved so much.
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