This book attempts to achieve a new perspective in evaluating the sources of Alexander's reign. Instead of concentrating upon the lost first generation historians, Professor Bosworth focuses upon what is extant, in particular the work of Arrian, the most respected writer on the period. Through a rigorous examination of their methods, he strips away some of the encrustation from the persona of Alexander, allowing a less warped picture to emerge. As well as examining
the attitudes of Arrian to his subject matter, he looks at his approach to his sources, his techniques in writing speeches, and the degree to which he imposes his own judgement on his subject matter.
The results obtained are then brought directly to bear on two vital problems of documentation: the Royal Journals of Alexander and his purported Last Plans.