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Review by
Louella Moreland
Some people love to read biographies. Other people find the writing a
little dry and uninteresting even if they have interest in the person about
whom the book is written. Light bulbs have lit up among nonfiction authors
in the last few years, and more books for young readers have been published
that are not only factual but fun to read!
A great example is Vicky Shecter, who has given young people "Alexander
the Great Rocks the World." No problems concerning dry dates and facts here.
This hilarious volume has no need for eyeball toothpicks! It is quick,
funny, upbeat and packed with all the facts needed for those dreaded school
reports!
Alexander the Great was a boy war hero, born to the Greek King Philip of
Macedonia and a powerful mother Olympias, who had rather grand schemes for
her son. Alexander was born in a time of Greek cultural enlightenment and
savage wars among its many city-states. By the time he was a teenager he had
been taught military warfare as well as poetry and literature. For a time he
was tutored by the great Aristotle himself, who was thought to have
impressed the young royal prince with many of his democratic thinking
ideals.
It seems that the combination of a charismatic young man, intelligence
and political opportunity made the time right for the rise of Alexander as a
superstar. At the age of 16, he was left in charge of the country and led
the army to defeat an attack by enemies. By the time he was 18, his father
had made him a general in the army, and by the time he was 20, Alexander
became the king of all ancient Greece.
A united Greece under Alexander's command went on to conquer many
neighboring countries to create a large empire that included Persia and
parts of India and Egypt. In fact, it was rumored that he never lost a
battle, and unlike the military leaders of today, he was the one who led his
troops into battle, receiving many injuries himself. He also knew many of
his soldiers personally, always making time to speak to the troops before
and after battle, refusing food and drink until the soldiers were cared for.
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Alexander's wisdom and democratic ideas of governing made him
popular even among the people he conquered, but also led to discord
among his inner circle, who thought they were not being treated as
well as the conquered and that Alexander was beginning to believe
himself a deity rather than a warrior. Besides, they were tired of
the many years of fighting and just wanted to return home to their
own country and families, while Alexander kept setting his sights on
more lands to conquer.
Needless to say, Alexander was an interesting character, but it
is Ms. Shecter's writing style that is the genius of this book, and
Terry Naughton's illustrations are fun to view. Sprinkled throughout
the historical information, timelines, quotes and maps are hilarious
asides that make the reader chuckle over the realistic depictions of
ancient times and people. So many times books written about dead
civilizations and rulers do not speak to our minds as anything but
data. "Alexander the Great Rocks the World" brings Alexander alive
again as a young man who had great dreams and human weaknesses. His
rather brief life is described to the reader in terms that young
people can associate with their own lives and desires.
Ms. Shecter makes the reader desire to hear the end of the story
by making each chapter interesting and fast-paced, poking fun
sometimes at serious matters and rather savage times. Whether you
are looking for a biography for a report on Alexander or just
reading for fun, "Alexander the Great Rocks the World" will not
disappoint!
For this book and other biographies, come visit the Youth
Services Department at the Lincoln Public Library, 725 Pekin St., to
find many interesting biographies about your favorite people.
[Text from file received from
Louella Moreland,
Lincoln Public Library District]
(Ms. Lou's blog:
lincolnpubliclibraryupdates.blogspot.com) |
