The Virtues of War

The Virtues of War is a 2004 historical fiction novel by Steven Pressfield that follows the life of Alexander the Great, told through the eyes of a Hellenic-Persian scribe serving under him during his campaigns into India.

Alexander is recounting the events of his life to the young scholar just before he dies in Babylon.

After his father's assassination, Alexander assumes control of the Macedonian throne and re-subdues Greece.

Throughout the novel, Alexander is portrayed as a benevolent king who only ever wanted to be a soldier, attain military glory, and treat his enemies with honor in the hopes of eventually making them his friends.

Kirkus Reviews praises Pressfield's writing calling it "deft and graceful as always in his historical authenticity".