History book that someone who is into Alexander the great?

[BigBoysDontCry]

Adult DS (22) enjoys factual (well non fiction rather as sometimes there is an element of creative thinking in history tbf) history books.

His most prominent interest is around the time of Alexander the Great though I think he will have read pretty much everything he wants to about that.

So, I'm essentially looking for some other area of world history (not UK specific) that he might enjoy.

Just as a stocking filler so not looking for a beautiful box set or anything.

I know very little about history and no idea about time periods so I'm useless! And yes I've asked him for ideas previously and got nowhere.

Any ideas gratefully received 😊

History of art maybe? What an interesting young man.

He likes conquerors. What about the Mongols. Incredibly interesting and not just Chinggis Khan. Google Güyük Khan letter to Pope Innocent for just how interesting!

Has he read Romanovs by Simon Sebag Montifiore? It's starts in the 1600s and charts the family's rise and eventual assassination. Including Peter and Catherine the Great so good for an interest in empire builders.

The writing is good too, it's not a dry stuffy account

Thanks both. He's also into led zeppelin/pink floyd/rush and some obscure blues guys. Weirdo 😁

Currently away at uni finishing a degree in PIR and deeply regretting not following his first love of history.

I know he's definitely had some books on the mongols and khan but not sure which.

I also like his Jerusalem book, but the main "character" in that is the geographical place rather than people history iyswim.

Topical though!

Thanks @uncooperativefingers I'll look those up. The romanovs might be the ticket actually.

There are some great books by William Dalrymple, if you're having a google

Perhaps look up books about the Persian Kings who Alexander defeated in battle, they have a long history and built some wonderful buildings

Later time period (14th century), but how about Tamerlane, by Harold Lamb? I read this recently and really enjoyed it.

Mary Renault's Alexander books, starting with Fire from Heaven are a wonderful, vivid trilogy about A the G. They work perfectly as stand-alones too.I've never recommended them to anyone who didn't love them. They are a bit raunchy, though- be warned!

I’ve recently got hooked on the Empire podcast (which I think he would like too!). The second season is about the Persian Achaemenid empire and covers Alexander. You could check out linked books e.g. Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones on the Persians.

I’ve asked my brother as he loves all things Alexander the Great.
He suggests anything to do with Ancient Rome, Vikings or Medieval Europe.

I like Mary Beard but her books are about ancient Rome rather than Ancient Greece.

Michael Wood wrote an absolutely fascinating book about Alexander.... Following in the Footsteps of Alexander the Great.
He follows Alexander's journey across Asia into India, finding memories and traces of Alexander still in existence....hidden mountain tracks still called by his name by the local people, remnants of altars he built, tales about where Alexander's dog was buried.
It was first published some years ago, but I see is still available on Amazon.

Suggestions for other topics,,,,
Cicero was an incredible character, living at an exciting political period. As a lot of his letters and speeches are still available, it's easy to become involved with him.
Carthage and Hannibal.... fascinating stuff!!

24 Hours in Ancient Rome by Philip Matyszak would be a super stocking filler, crammed full of quirky facts and figures about all aspects of daily life in Ancient Rome, it's unputdownable!
A snip at about £8!

Has he read David Gemmell?

Lion of Macedon and Dark Prince are all about Alexander the Great (and his father). He then wrote a trilogy (I think) on Troy.

Second this and indeed all of Mary Renault's books. They are wonderful!

The Map of Knowledge by Violet Moller is a fascinating book. It follows how classical ideas survived ( after Alexander the Great etc) to re emerge in the west during the renaissance. Might give some insights into further areas if interest?

Some brilliant suggestions thank you. Looks like 1 book is not going to be enough! I'll pick a couple for now but add others to my gift list for future purchases.

Someone rather inexplicably sent my DM a copy of The Persian Boy one Xmas when I was about 12 or 13, in the early 70s. As an avid reader of anything that landed on our bookshelves it was, um, quite an eye opener.
Perhaps a bit too fictionalised for the OPs DS though?

I love the Mary Renault books so much they have replaced the actual history in my head. I hear or read the history and think "that isn't how it happened!".

@ErrolTheDragon "Perhaps a bit too fictionalised for the OPs DS though?"

Yes, I realised that after I posted! But with luck someone else will get the joy of Mary Renault this Christmas. I consider it a public service....

This is going to be an odd suggestion, as it’s on the young side for him, but I really enjoyed Bucephalus - a YA novel written from the perspective of Alexander’s horse. Or there’s Song of Achilles - not the same time period but in the same heroic tradition, beautifully written, about Ancient Greece etc.

David Mitchell’s unruly is about the English kings. It’s very funny and irreverent , a bit different from most history books.

I’ve asked for the latest Mary Beard Roman Emperor book for Xmas. She taught me back in the day and I am delighted that she has the profile she has now. Wonderful lady.