Select language, opens an overlay

Comments (33)

The Golden Mean

[a Novel of Aristotle and Alexander the Great]
What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 33 items
Dec 01, 2020sgcf rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This is my second read-through and this time I was struck by Lyon’s writing style – short blunt sentences that are abrupt, punchy, and capture the essence of the male world of 4th century Greece. Her diction is fresh, modern, and lifts the…
Nov 27, 2020sergeantbubbles rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
One of my absolute favourite novels. It transports the reader to Ancient Greece so I’m in! I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration.
Nov 21, 2018SurreyLibraries_Reads rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The Golden Mean by Annabel Lyon is a great historical novel based on true events. It’s about Alexander III of Macedon (also known as Alexander the Great) who was a young and a powerful Greek emperor who ruled the largest Western empire…
Nov 18, 2015merlinsilver rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
I totally agree with the reader ‘s comments of April 22, 2015. The first third of the book was great! Then to the end it was slow and humdrum. There were some nice details, but to me it seemed like 2 different authors were writing. The…
Apr 22, 2015richibi rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
this book started off with a bang, after all, the conjunction of Philip of Macedon, Aristotle and Alexander the Great holds great promise, but too pedestrian situations occur to finally hold rapt your attention, interest fizzles, the tale…
Aug 15, 2013rab1953 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
An interesting novel that looks at Alexander the Great through the first-hand account of his teacher Aristotle. It takes Aristotle out of the ethereal philosophical and intellectual realm on the first page, having him swear and complain…
Jun 23, 2013gloryb rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I find it amazing how an author can fictionalize the lives of Aristotle, King Philip, and Alexander, his son after reading histories of this time period and biographies of these men. I enjoyed reading this book, more to see what life could…
Jun 18, 2013Babalouis rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
This book is not hard to read, not too deep or philosophical, but not very engaging either. It did not have much of a plot line or flow and I did not know where it was heading. Some aspects of life during Aristotle's years in Macedon…
Jun 17, 2013WVMLBookClubTitles rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Lyon recounts the history of Aristotle from the philosopher’s point of view, concentrating on the time he spends as the tutor of Alexander the Great, a gifted adolescent who displays shockingly violent impulses and a passion for warfare.…
Oct 23, 2012lisangus rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A wonderful book! Really makes Aristotle and Alexander seem like real people.
Jul 27, 2012uncommonreader rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Aristotle and Alexander the Great. A balance of extremes.
Mar 03, 2012jenzbooks rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Philip of Macedon and his son Alexander get to know Aristotle who tutors Alexander and his brother. The relationships described by Lyon really bring the time period and the people to life. Aristotle especially comes off as a funny, curious…
Nov 18, 2011
good book
Nov 08, 2011kmoyer rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The author has ingeniously applied and interpreted Aristotle’s writings with existing known historical facts to create a fascinating story of the great philosopher’s life during the six years he spent at the court of King Philip of…
Oct 20, 2011
no
debpak
Oct 15, 2011
Highly disappointing. Hated the book. Terribly written with slow boring plot. Over use of vulgar words; seems out of place.
Mar 06, 2011animal74 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This book was unlike any I have read before. I would rate the writing itself as 4.5 stars, but the content a 3 and that is overall how I would say I liked the book. Now, that might just be an insight into my reading habits, but I found…
Jan 20, 2011Ubalstecha rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Author Annabel Lyon gives us an interesting look at life in ancient Macedonia in her novel The Golden Mean. Telling the story of the time Aristotle spent tutoring Alexander the Great, she gives us an intellectual who is clearly smarter…
Dec 16, 2010charlie2009 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Book Club - May, 2010
Dec 10, 2010
"A richly imagined and engrossing novel of fourth-century B.C. Macedon and Greece in which Aristotle tells all, including entrancing tales of his most famous student." Top Ten Books of 2010: John McFarland, reviewer
Oct 27, 2010dying2read rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A very enjoyable read.
Sep 23, 2010samdog123 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I must admit to mild curiousity about this book. I had it on my list "for later", but my bookclub picked it for October's discussion. An interesting take on the relationship between Aristotle and Alexander the great. Quite a few…
Sep 08, 2010ampie rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
Although the concept for the novel was enticing, I didn't like the writing which I found hard to follow - it did not flow and was at times abrupt. The character development did not capture my imagination.
Aug 30, 2010blolo rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
i really disliked this book - i found the author's voice very austere (for lack of a better word) and uninspired. i wasn't interested in what could have been (and should have been) an interesting story. i wish I had "quit" reading this…
Aug 15, 2010PhyllisHeather rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Alexander as a young boy