3. Once Wellington took the reins, he had participated in an average of how many battles per year, not counting the years taken off during peacetime or tending to other duties?

4. Alexander paid a visit to the Oracle and it was said that the Oracle referred to Alexander as the son of whom?

5. Chapter one, "Alexander the Great and Heroic Leadership," begins with Keegan comparing Alexander to Napoleon, Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Prince Charles, Hitler and others. Does the author believe any of these leaders can compare to Alexander the Great?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Macedonia's wealth compare to the wealth of other countries?

2. To whom does Keegan compare Alexander the Great in Chapter One? What is the outcome of this comparison?

3. Describe the army Alexander inherited from his father.

4. Compare the upbringing of both Wellington and Alexander.

5. Describe Alexander's ten-year march. Why did he do this?

6. How does Alexander look as he rides into battle? Why is this important?

7. How was Wellington able to win the Battle of Waterloo? Could it have been won without him? Could it have been won without the aid of the Prussians? Why or why not?

8. Describe Alexander's relationship with his men. What does this reveal about his character?

9. What did Wellington do when the French set fire to the chateau at Hougomont? Why did he do this?

10. How does Wellington's life reveal that he was a man of great persistence, resilience, and fortitude?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Alexander the Great was compared to many other leaders.

Part 1) How did Alexander become such a great leader? Why does the author seem to believe that no other can match Alexander the Great? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Part 2) Of the leaders mentioned in this book, who is the greatest leader, besides Alexander the Great? Why do you believe this? How does this leader compare to other leaders?

Part 3) Who is a great leader today? How does this leader compare to the leaders mentioned in this book? Are the world's leaders becoming greater? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

"Hitler in Command" may be the most important chapter in this book.

Part 1) Summarize this chapter. Why might it be the most important? What does this say about Hitler?

Part 2) How much of Hitler's power was his own doing and how much had to do with the environment in which he was living?

Part 3) Could a Hitler-type leader ever emerge in our own culture? Why or why not? Could the U.S. citizens avoid being attracted to such a leader? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The author believes it is not desirable for a leader to storm in and take command, at least not without the acceptance of his or her people.

Part 1) Do you agree with him? Why or why not? Did citizens in the past want their leaders to take control? Why or why not?

Part 2) Why does the author believe the view of the leader should change in the nuclear age? If it were not the nuclear age, does the author believe there would be nothing wrong with a leader coming in and taking charge? Explain.

Part 3) Do you believe that by listening to the citizens, a leader could make better decisions regarding the nation as a whole? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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