PAPERBACK AVAILABLE DEC. 16, 2011

December 16, 2011 In The Theater of the World in paperback available on Amazon. Kindle Edition available now and first 14 pages are free to read on your computer (Kindle can be loaded for free on your computer, iPad, iPhone or Blackberry).

Book Review

In The Theater of the World Blog Review is where you post your comments, favorite parts of the novel or book cover, questions about the novel or map, and criticisms.  Post them here!  All questions will be addressed by the author promptly.  You may also post ideas that the novel may have inspired in you. This space is reserved for you!

School Is Back in Session

Yes, school is back in session for some and will begin very soon for others.  Whether you are entering 8th grade, 11th grade, freshman or senior year in college, or like myself, teaching new and returning students, it's a big adjustment after a few months of summer recess.  For Alexander fans, he, too, attended school.  His childhood was daily tutoring, but when he turned age 13, his father King Philip sent him to be instructed by Aristotle. Yes, the famous philosopher! What was it like for a 13 year old to  listen to the lessons of Aristotle?  Did Alexander learn philosophy?  Science? Math? History? Literature? Art?  Did Alexander have gym class?  The answers are: YES!  The novel, In The Theater of the World, includes many scenes of Alexander's experience in the classroom with his friends and with the famous teacher.  Here's an excerpt of a favorite scene a few readers enjoy: dissection scene with 14 year old Alexander and his friends Perdiccas and Hephaestion!

Aristotle encouraged Perdiccas to complete the analysis, but Perdiccas refused to complete it alone. 

“I will join Seleucus and Marsyas,” said Perdiccas.  As he sauntered past Hephaestion and me, he paused, returned to us, and asked me a question about my dissection.  Perdiccas said aloud in a tone that alerted me to pray to the gods for intervention, “No, I will join the Dioscuri here instead.”  I looked at him, and he smirked, ignoring my silent warning.

“Castor,” addressed Perdiccas to Hephaestion, calling him by the name of the mortal twin of the immortal Pollux.  “The frog is dead, therefore, you do not need to stab at it, lest it is I and not the frog you are visualizing.”  Hephaestion remained silent.

“Perdiccas be still,” I commanded.  "Retrieve your specimen and bring it here so as to work with us, not to annoy us...."

And a fight occurs between two of the three characters, leaving one very bruised, and the other feeling betrayed.  

And so, as you re-enter the world of school imagine what it would have been like to be sitting for many, many hours, a sleep-over three year academy, learning everything with your classmates from the famous Aristotle.

Bucephalus

Bucephalus, translated as "Oxhead", the warhorse of Alexander the Great, mentioned throughout history, literature, and even mentioned in the 1979 film "The Black Stallion", has deservedly earned the title of "Wondrous".  13 year old Alexander watched from a short distance the horse exhaust the grooms, for the steed was stressed.  In my novel, just before he mounts the untamed horse, Alexander says to his concerned father, King Philip, "...I will manage [Bucephalus], and prove to all who witness here I am greater than Bellerophon himself, and I mounted on the stallion will sweep through air swift as a gale of wind!” And so begins the strong bond between youth and horse, riding across the known world until Bucephalus died in the year 326BCE in the location what is now Jhelum, Pakistan, once upon a time called 'Bucephala'.

 

Aug 2 338 BCE Battle in Chaeronea

The summer heat rose on the low Cephisus River valley near the village of Chaeronea.  "By means of the Parapotamii Pass we advanced the seven miles, finally encountering the allied forces of Athens and traitorous Thebes. I imagined their horror when they caught sight of us prowling from across the plain, shining in our red and gold armor, the sixteen-ray suns upon crimson standards blowing in the breeze. 'Behold,' I said to Hephaestion, 'Zeus Thunder-Bearer spreads his hand upon the Macedonians and strengthens our dynamism.  It is as Iliada again here in Chaeronea, that is, for the Thebans and Athenians and all of the City-States.'" (Excerpt from In The Theater of the World).  It was Prince Alexander's second victory in battle BEFORE he became king.  His first victory was in Thrace, quelling a revolt of the Maedi tribe.  The Battle of Chaeronea was the prince's second victory, having eliminated the Theban threat on the battle field, the invincible Sacred Band of Thebes.  Marble statues of lions to this day stand in the immediate location.

 

July 26 Alexander's Birthday

Perhaps he was born July 20th or the 26th, nevertheless, this past week Alexander's fans around the world remembered his birthday. Whether you purchased a balloon or you burned incense to honor him, July 20-26 356BCE marks his birth. Lightning, Ephesus temple ablaze, and soaring eagles were signs visible the hour of his birth, retold by Plutarch and Arrian and many other ancient writers.  In the lovely Pella, Macedonia, was born the prophecy foretold by the prophet Daniel. Yes, Alexander is mentioned there, too!

Alexander the Great "Teenage Prince"

So much is written, blogged, and discussed about Alexander's adulthood and achievements in his adulthood, but he was a teenager, and to become 'Great' HOW did he get there?  He wasn't any different from today's teenager.  He became famous and historic, yes, but what influenced him?  Who influenced him?  Is it not true causes and conditions during adolescence gives rise to adult successes and failures? Alexander, as child and teenager, experienced tremendous events, wonderful and painful.  Was he a product of divorced parents?  Was he obsessed with making Dad (King Philip II)  happy or be better than Dad?  In his adulthood Alexander killed a friend/general because a comment was made regarding his father's successes.

Published Novel in E-Book Format

I published my novel In The Theater of the World in e-book format on Amazon.  Twenty-two years of collecting information and acquiring knowledge of Alexander the Great was an odyssey of learning for me…my research experience since 1982 was a timeline of “should I” and “am I able to” write an ancient autobiographical novel about Alexander the Great.  Family and friends throughout the near two-and-half decades encouraged, advised and educated me, and so, here it is, written to the best of my ability without intention to impress and aggrandize, only to inspire interest in Alexander the Great by means of introducing himself and beginning with his youth.