This work investigates the reliability of historical sources concerning the reign of Alexander the Great by analyzing the historiographical methods employed by Arrian. A. B. Bosworth, a distinguished scholar of the Hellenistic period, utilizes a rigorous critical framework to deconstruct how ancient historians shaped their narratives. By examining the intersection of source material, authorial intent, and political context, the book argues that a nuanced understanding of the historian's own biases is necessary to reconstruct the true persona of Alexander.

Scholars and students of classical history frequently cite this text as a foundational resource for understanding the complexities of Alexander the Great's historiography. The prose is noted for its academic density and precise analytical rigor, making it a standard reference for those studying ancient source criticism.