As usual, Steven Pressfield has produced a book that takes you back into the far reaches of Greek history…although not quite as far as in some of his other works. As the title suggests, this one is about Alexander’s campaign in Afghanistan in 329 B.C., told from the perspective of a foot-soldier in his army.
I’m tempted to say that if you like Pressfield, you’ll like this book, but I won’t. Pressfield’s writing is up to its usual high standard, but the book lacks the stylistic “otherness” that he injected into, for example, Last of the Amazons or Tides of War. There is also less in the way of military strategem; to be expected, since it’s told from a non-rate’s point of view, but still a little disappointing. And without giving the ending away, I didn’t like it at all. So I will say this instead: The Afghan Campaign is an excellently written novel, one that will put you back as well as any book can into Alexander’s army. It will make you think about many different things, and it will hold your interest. But you may end up disliking it.
I can’t fault the writing, the plot, the story or anything else, really. I just didn’t like the ending enough that I doubt I’ll ever re-read it. But your mileage may vary.
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