Alexander The Great A Poem

The Libro de Alexandre is an epic poem about the life of Alexander the Great, written by an anonymous Spanish cleric in the thirteenth century. It is the most substantial poem (and almost certainly the first) composed in the learned cuaderna via verse form and provides a unique insight into the intellectual world from which it sprang. The poem conveys the grim message of Alexander's life, the sense of hubris and the horror of his fall from greatness and world domination to the bleak obscurity of the grave. As well as relaying the story of a great ancient figure, the poet also comments on the society and political situation of early thirteenth-century Spain. The combination of eras makes this poem strikingly representative of its time. Peter Such and Richard Rathbone's edition in the Hispanic Classics series illuminates this substantial and important text, with a wide-ranging introduction, Spanish text with facing-page English translation and notes.

Poetry Changes Lives is a page-a-day of history, poetry and inspiration. My thanks to Professor Jonathan Chick for this review in Alcohol and Alcoholism (Oxford Journals): For each date in the calendar, the author offers a nugget from history or some happening, often poignant, sometimes quaint; gathers us to a beautiful place in a poem about the world we share; then returns us to earth with a short reflection for the day. The founder of Canongate Press, Stephanie Wolfe Murray, in her Foreword: thought this book 'a wonderful journey, reading about people and incidents both famous and infamous ... you might well think it to be superficial, but the author almost always leads us to explore further'. Addicts have not completely lost structure in their daily lives, in that their days are constructed around obtaining the next supply. Aiming for abstinence, they often flounder, especially if they have no employment to resume or living companion to give the day a form. This daily reader could be a little extra frame for their day. Burn's reflection on the day's poem leads to his tenet for the day. His 366 maxims (366 because he includes 29 February) weave into an immediately useful relapse-prevention framework. We can learn from history. Others have gone before us; but poets turn a lesson into music, bring out the universality, and help it stay in our memory. I did not find the word 'god' on any page; yet if you ever wondered what comprised spiritual recovery from alcoholism, you might get the gist by reading this compendium of fact and modest contemplation. Truly, a source for healing and restitution. The author also offers a daily website - poetrychangeslives.com Reprinted from Alcohol and Alcoholism (Oxford Journals - OUP) Poetry has long been a powerful therapy tool. It can help to change your life. The book informs the reader about the historical significance of that particular day, introduces new poems and encourages the practice of daily meditation. Poetry Changes Lives appeals to students, the literary minded, those in recovery or who are interested in little known historical facts (did you know that Wittgenstein went to school with Hitler?!) or anyone who likes to start the day with a short uplifting text. Each day we learn about a historical event that happened, gain understanding through a poem related in some way to the event, and insight from a linked meditation. Thus February 23rd (birth of Samuel Pepys) is linked to a poem by John Donne and a reflection on the need for us to appreciate life in all its ups and downs. Poetry changes the lives of many people. http: //www.poetrychangeslives.com

This epic poem follows the life of Alexander III, better known as Alexander the Great, from his birth in Pella in Macedonia in 356 b.c., through his conquests in both Europe and Asia, until his death in Babylon in 323 b.c..