Paul Cartledge has done an excellent job of delving into the motivations and influences of Alexander the Great in his book, The Hunt For A New Past. Drawing on his expertise on the Greeks and the Hellenic period, Cartledge theorizes on the man in a collection of chapters that are essentially seperate essays on the man, myth, and legend of Alexander the Great. This book is extremely well written and chock full of detail and source material, sometimes overwhelmingly so. Cartledge writes each chapter as if it is an independent piece. Indeed if you read the book its best to read a chapter at a time since the chapter jump back and forth in terms of linear time and military campaigns. A basic knowledge of the Greek era and its political and social intrigues helps in the understanding of Cartledge's arguments. This is a book for those that want to know WHY history was made by certain men, rather than a year by year re-telling of Alexander's adventures. Cartledge puts his opinions out front, stating clearly where he disagrees with others and where he is merely speculating, which is quite refreshing in modern academia. Whether you agree or not, he argues his points with elegance and any preconceptions of Alexander you may have are challenged. Cartledge succeeds in producing a work that forces the reader to re-examine their views on Alexander, which is ultimately what makes entertaining history.