The review journal of the American Library Association recently declared a UALR professor’s book an “essential” purchase for all academic libraries.

Dr. Edward M. Anson of the UALR Department of History authored the book, “Alexander the Great: Themes and Issues.” The book was published in 2013 by Bloomsbury Academic Press of New York.

The favorable review is published in the recent edition of “ALA’s Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries.”

The reviewer noted Anson “proves that it is still possible to write an original book about so seemingly hackneyed a topic as Alexander the Great.”

Anson’s work was also lauded for being “an accessible guide to the slate of Alexander studies that belongs in every college and university library.”

The book is not intended as an autobiography, but as an analysis of Alexander’s reign using principal topics in contemporary Alexander scholarship, according to Anson.

Anson, who received his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, has authored or edited seven books and more than 30 journal articles. He has also contributed to more than 12 book chapters, various publications, and written more than 50 encyclopedia articles.