Replying to Tre on the History Channel...

[Nicator]

Though I liked the fact that they brought in two of the foremost experts in the field, I was dissapointed that they didn't bring in an offsetting viewpoint. It's a shame that NGL Hammond was unable to be there...He seems the only viable voice of reason that could have countermanded the overly negative, hypercritical, conspiracy oriented, viewpoints of these two men. I was also a bit dismayed by the tendancy to promote the image of Alexander as feminine and increasingly insane as he ran across the world. There was also an irritating insistance on pushing their distorted agenda as uncompromising fact. I would have liked a more balanced viewpoint which portrayed Alexander as a man of his time. I've mentioned before that I think Bosworth to be a bit boring. This does not mean I think he is not excellent, but his book has some weaknesses and flaws. In some cases, it is still my go to source for the final word when I need a definitive opinion; particularly on the names and places of the genre, and the filler material between battles. I had to pick up my Hammond book and read a voice of reason after the show just to feel normal again...Green, who is much older than I pictured him, is one of the best writers I've read (regarding his almost lyrical descriptions of events). He has created a narrative that challenges me as a writer to do better, and many times I'm at a loss to do so. His book seems to improve as it goes along; possibly as his own mentality adjusted to the project. But it's still very negative and conspirational, with maybe a bit less objectivity than Bosworth. As Tre said, when the guy from Florida came on and said he enjoyed battle more than sex, it could only go up from there. I also felt it needed another hour to do a proper job of it. They breezed right through to the end after Persepolis, only mentioning Hydaspes and then going right to the arrow shot heard round the world. Beyond that, the scenary (especially the racked wall at Tyre) and the performance of the narrator were quite enjoyable. later Nicator

[xxx]

I agree completely except for the it should have been an hour longer. I was almost napping into the second hour but again, professors and cheap recreations are rather snooze worthy.I think I'll wait for your review of Alexander before I see it.