In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great

This is, quite simply, one of the best historical documentaries I've ever viewed. English historian and filmmaker Michael Wood decided that it would be a cool idea to (literally) follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, tracing his 2,000 mile conquest of Asia. Wood and his crew made their way through 13 countries and four war zones in the process, utilizing just about every form of transport known to man. What they saw and what they learned along the way is fascinating. Alexander's legend still lives in countries like Iran, Turkey and India, and his legacy is not exactly perceived in Asia as it is in the West. In the Koran, for instance, he is referred to as Dhul Qarnain--the Two-Horned One. As we follow Wood and his crew's struggles to stay on Alexander's often near-impossible line of march, it becomes clear that his Macedonian army was evidently a very hard-assed bunch. Wood's research is excellent; it guides him, and us, into a storied past that adds perspective to our understanding of the historical Alexander the Great. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (P. Van Vleck)