The subtitle of this well-illustrated book is ambitious; it claims to present `The real-life story of the world's greatest warrior king'. Intended for a general readership, McCarty's book tells the story of Alexander the Great in punchy, dramatic prose, supported by digressions in side panels and lots of illustrations of works of art, places and monuments. This is not history dumbed down; it is full of interesting facts and insights presented in the most accessible way. Much of it reads like a novel, a suitable medium for the life of this great and ever-popular king.