This biography of Alexander the Great's final years focuses on his seven-year journey through the unknown eastern borderlands of the Persian empire to reach Afghanistan and fulfill his quest to rule the world.

Maps on endpapers. "Endpaper and interior maps by David Lindroth, Inc."--Title page verso.

Prologue: Alexander's choice -- A city on fire -- The hunt for the great king -- Old friends and new clothes -- Lovers and conspirators -- Epic combat -- Across the Hindu Kush -- Fighting the hydra -- Murder at the feast -- Three banquets and a conspiracy -- Following in the footsteps of the gods -- How to fight an elephant -- Monsoon and mutiny -- The end of the world -- The land of the fish eaters -- A ransacked tomb and a fiery death -- Ninety-two brides -- Demobilization and its discontents -- The death of Patroklos -- Babylon -- Epilogue: Alexander's new world.