Super Short Summary

In her historical novel The Golden Mean (2009), Annabel Lyon dramatizes the three-year period starting in 343 BC when the Greek philosopher Aristotle tutors the 13-year-old Alexander III of Macedon, later known as Alexander the Great. The title refers to a Greek philosophical concept emphasizing a balance between excess and deficiency. Featuring richly developed characters, the novel explores Aristotle’s mentorship, philosophy, and the complex relationship between the temperamental tutor and his passionate student. The narrative navigates themes of education, leadership, and destiny within a vividly depicted historical context. Elements include detailed descriptions of violence and post-traumatic stress.