[1] The book is a biography of King Alexander the Great, (356-323 BCE), ruler of Macedon, Egypt and Persia[2].

Renault wrote several historical novels in which Alexander appears: The Mask of Apollo (1966), Fire from Heaven (1969), The Persian Boy (1972) and Funeral Games (1981).

The book makes no attempt to be impartial or neutral, but rather unabashedly advocates Alexander as a truly great man.

For example, Renault rejects the usual terminology of the "murder" of Kleitos, pointing out that legally, "murder" refers only to a killing with premeditation, which absolutely was not the case when the King killed Kleitos in a drunken brawl, after much drink and much provocation.

Renault also defends Alexander's friend Hephaistion, pointing out that he corresponded with Aristotle and was successful in every mission and independent command he undertook.