Alexander the Fabulous

He conquered the known world. He united it for the first time with a common language. His military tactics are still being studied-and used-by today's warriors. He is considered the most courageous and heroic warrior in history. But (and more importantly): He was hot. His boyfriends were hotter. He could throw hissy fits that would take Liza Minelli's breath away. He traveled with an advance publicity team. He was so vain, if Preparation H had existed, his enemies would have rubbed it on his ego. He had fag hags hanging off him like laundry. We're approaching 2,350 years after his death and people are still fascinated by Alexander the Great. Even Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the people who gave us language, math and philosophy, didn't have Oliver Stone making movies about them. All the great conquerors that followed Alexander tried to emulate him-Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Jeff Striker. Michael Alvear presents a most unusual biography of history's greatest warrior.

Michael Alvear is a syndicated columnist whose commentary has been heard on NPR. He is the author of Men Are Pigs, But We Love Bacon.