He is the most powerful ruler ever – and his first biographer was crucified. What drew Edmund Richardson, winner of the £50,000 Baillie Gifford prize, to his short tumultuous life? He was the most powerful man in the world but he was brought down by one battle too many after a decade at the top.

Source: [Guardian International](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/nov/06/taliban-alexander-the-great-baillie-gifford-edmund-richardson)

Sponsored