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by Manousos E. Kambouris.
Hardback (6.4×9.5 inches). 291 pages. 2023.
Subtitle: The Campaign That Felled Achaemenid Persia
Starting off with a deep analysis of the Macedonian and Persian military organization, conscription and recruitment, weaponry, armor, and tactics, the book follows Alexander the Great’s maneuvers and battles across the Persian Empire until Satrap Bessus assassinates King Darius III.
Although the tale is well-worn, Kambouris brings a discerning eye in comparing and contrasting the strategies of Alexander and Darius III. Terrain, distances, and economic and political impacts are all part of the clear and understandable campaign analysis. This book treats Darius III with more respect than the typical campaign history, especially when considering other Greek invasions of the Persian empire. Tactical battles are also well analyzed weighing deployments versus strength on particular terrain.
Of interest to ancient gamers is the analysis of phalanx operations. Basically, a pike formation of even mediocre quality at the halt, dressed, and ready to accept battle is quite formidable (p87). The same formation of veteran pikemen is just about unbeatable in the initial pike thrusting and subsequent mass pushing. The faster the transition to pushing and shoving, the more likely the tactical victory. As always, training and experience counts.
Charges were over 150 to 210 meters (p83), with momentum expected to break up enemy units, but the attacker’s accumulation of ranks provide the defender time to shove back the initial charging ranks. Counter-charging is most difficult to do properly (p86).
An interesting factoid: Greece had 200,000 unemployed Greek mercenaries at the time of Alexander (p111). He may have ordered the execution of most captured Greek mercenaries after the Battle of Granicus, but he also hired others for rear-area security.
A couple typos: “take on and route enemy” (p101) should be “rout”; “cash-stripped” (p101) is likely “cash-strapped.” The latter might be language. Elsewhere in the book is a mention of going for the “neck,” which is accurate even if the phrase is usually going for the throat. Other than these couple quibbles, the book is quite well written, especially when describing and discussing the military campaign.
The book contains 28 black and white illustrations, nine black and white maps, 14 color photos, and four color illustrations.
I would have liked better and more detailed maps that better reflected the text. Quite often, you read about towns or cities in the text and the nearest map has plenty of urban dots and names, but often not the ones mentioned in the text.
The maps inside are like 1960s-era line graphics — a malady in the vast majority of military books. The tactical battle maps are even more basic. Missed opportunity.
Still, what an excellent account and analysis of Alexander’s campaign against Persia. Well done.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
