Philip the Great

This book is a historical biography that covers the lives of Philip II of Macedon and his son Alexander the Great over a period of 78 years. Goldsworthy argues that Alexander's success was heavily dependent on the military reforms, victories, and political strategies of his father. Philip transformed ancient Macedon from a minor kingdom into a dominant power in Greece, creating the armies that Alexander later led to conquer vast territories, including the Achaemenid Persian Empire. The book provides a detailed account of their military campaigns, political maneuvers, and the cultural context of their time, emphasizing the crucial role of Philip in Alexander's subsequent achievements.