"Into the Land of Bones" by Frank L. Holt. A Short Review

 

Alexander the Great accomplished much and accumulated great swathes of lands and peoples. Most of those ventures are well documented and developed, but some corners of his expansive program are clouded with much unknowing. Frank L. Holt, professor of history at the University of Houston, award winning teacher and prolific author, presents some clarity in one corner of Alexander's empire building in the 260-page paperback "Into the Land of Bones". This is an account of Alexander's campaign into Bactria, modern-day Afghanistan.

In writing the book in 2005, the American involvement in Afghanistan was in its infancy. Therefore, the author's purpose in writing this volume "is to place our present ordeal into a broader perspective, to provide a useful historical and cultural background for those who ask: Into what long history have we suddenly thrust ourselves and our armed forces" (16)? And though the book is not about the American actions in Afghanistan, he does lightly weave into his chronicle our experiences up to 2005, along with the USSR's tenure in the land, and Britain's two 19th Century wars in that country. It's a fascinating read of the exploits, exploitations, stratagems and setbacks by the short-lived conquering king.

If you have interests in Alexander the Great, history, historical methodologies, Afghanistan, or ancient military tactics, this is just the book you need. But it will also help place some long-term historical contexts to our present interactions with that country. And so, if you work for the State Department or have been scandalized by our pull-out from Afghanistan, then this is a must read. I highly recommend the work.