This book is a two parter in one book. The first half of the book is about two people destined to have conflict. What happens is that once that is resolved the second half is about a boy be coming a King. The thing to remember is that this story is based on historical figures. There really was a King whose son became one of the great figures of Western civilization. To read the story of that mans father might seem boring but Alexander the Greats father was anything but boring. That's the point that this story drives forward. Phillip of Macedon was an interesting figure in his own rights. This is part of what made his son so incredible since the son surpassed the father in what he accomplished. A good story if like Greek history but don't want to hear about a ton if mythology.

I was initially drawn this book because I'm a lover of ancient history, and I wanted to know more about this period in ancient Greece. I received this book back in November, but I found it hard to get into. I set it aside, especially as the busy holiday season came around, not sure if I would finish it. But I went back to it, pushed through the first few chapters, and around 35%, I found myself drawn in to the story of Philip and his character and quickly finished it from there. While most people only know his son, Philip of Macedon was instrumental in Greek history. His battle strategies revolutionized war. He united the Greek city-states before pushing beyond those borders, a mantle that Alexander the Great took up.

This book covers Philip’s life from his birth to his victory over the Illyrians, which cemented his place as a strong leader and a general to be feared. I felt like the writing was a mix between a novel and a history book, which perhaps is why it took me awhile to get into it. The author vividly brought ancient Greece to life: the religion, the culture, the food, the politics. Battle strategies and formations were discussed in detail, and while I couldn't quite picture the specifics, it was enough for me to understand the significance of how those tactics ensured victory.

Guild focuses on the character and personality of Philip, and how Philip never aspired to be king, but rather strove to support his two elder brothers in their kingship. Indeed, it supports the idea that those best suited for power are those who don't necessarily want it. The author also delves into the other characters that lived alongside Philip: his brothers, his enemies, and other significant people along his path in life who taught him the essential skills he would need one day to unite his people and be a king. While I don't know how much is based on historical fact or is pure speculation, the characters came alive in the pages of the book and it was easy to see them as true living, breathing people, rather than just names in a history book.

Overall, not a book I think I would have picked up on my own, but ended up being a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the intimate look into the life and character of one of history's more influential men. I would recommend for lovers of ancient history!

Nicholas Guild has written a superb historical novel about the early life of Philip of Macedon in the Macedonian.
From his birth through his service for his brothers to his exile and return to Macedon, Philip matures as a man and a military strategist. When the novel ends his brothers and rivals are dead and he commands all Macedon.
The reader gets a view of the Greek world from the Macedonian, the Northern Greek people as opposed to the usual history from the Athenian viewpoint

THE MACEDONIAN by Nicholas Guild begins in Pella, and chronicles the life of Philip, youngest son of King Amyntas of Macedon beginning with the story of his birth, and moving forward to his being sent to his father’s death bed as a child with the King being unable to express to his son his final thoughts before passing.

Lady Eurydike is Philip’s mother, and has shown him nothing in terms of love his entire life; in fact rejecting him at birth only to be raised by a surrogate mother in another household.

Ptolemy is the husband of Phillip’s sister, but has abandoned her to be Lady Eurydike’s lover and to position himself in place to have control over the throne as a regent until one of the King’s son’s is old enough to sit on the throne, although he has no intention of relinquishing his control at that point.

Philip is almost an afterthought by most being the youngest son, but prophecy by his mother and a deep fear that haunts Ptolemy makes way for his being placed in harm’s way and sent off to live in another less civilized kingdom, yet he survives an attempt made on his life and grows stronger in this difficult environment.

Several plots and twists find Philip’s life controlled by others, yet his fate seems to be one of destiny recognized by those with a fine eye and experience in ruling an empire and leading armies into battle.

Superb historical-fiction novel that places the reader in the position of both seeing Philip as an observer, yet also providing a window into his thoughts and inner being, while presenting him as a boy then man fully confident and aware of his abilities while possessing all of the intangibles required to be a great leader in all matters required of a future king.

5 stars and highly recommended to everyone.

*I received this book from NetGally in exchange for an honest review.

Truth be told, I had totally forgotten what this book was about by the time I finally started reading it. BUT I'M SO GLAD THAT I DID! I zoomed through this book and all I could think was that it sounded so much like Alexander the Great and that it sounded so real. When I re-read the book blurb and realized that's exactly what Guild intended I was blown away. Guild does an amazing job weaving fiction and history to create a story so dramatic but also completely believable! This book was full of war, strategy, monarchy issues, family ties and the crazy that surrounds them, romance, and honestly the book was just full of fantastic writing. This book has made me a complete fan of Nicholas Guild and I can't wait to read his other books! I can't recommend this book enough!

I’ve always been a fan of Greek and Roman history. I find that it puts our modern hubris in its place. The accomplishments, voyages, conquests and architecture of this period puts modern technology to shame. You didn’t need all of our modern conveniences to conquer the world or build awe-inspiring buildings.

Alexander the Great is one of the most well-known characters from the period. One can only speculate how our world would have been different if he had lived beyond thirty-two years of age. But how was Alexander able to accomplish so much in such a short period of time? What were the conditions already in place when he became king of Macedon? How was such a young man able to completely dominate the known world? The answer is Philip.

Nicholas Guild brought life to the dire situation that Philip inherited as king of Macedon; a small, weak kingdom on the edge of the civilized Greek world. Macedon was hedged in on all sides with a routed army. Guild painted a vivid picture of Philip’s early life as a young man who never expected to be king, he was a good brother who just wanted to do anything he could to do his part to help his older brothers.

How much of the story is fact, myth, fiction? It really doesn’t matter to me, it was about the journey. Guild patiently took his readers through Philip’s early life. He brought to life a figure who is often overlooked by history due to having been eclipsed by his son. Guild shows him to be a man of eminent importance, who established the perfect scenario that allowed Alexander to be “The Great.”

I would have liked to have seen more, but I suppose once Alexander was brought in as a young man, the story would then be all about him. Philip, again, would be lost in the background.

*4 Stars

Not bad at all, well written with drag you in by the seat of your pants storyline!!

This is a pretty good novelization of the early life of Philip II of Macedon, from his birth to his marriage to Audata and the opening stages of unifying Macedonia. Guild shows the reform of the army without being obnoxiously expository, and grounds as much as he can in ancient texts.