Hannibal

The recurring theme in these reviews was that the author employed ancient names for the towns, landmarks and regions where the action occurred. Reading on Kindle, it’s easy to just tap an unfamiliar name and ascertain what the current name is. I prefer reading on my iPad so I can readily jump to a Google Map and have a bird’s eye view of battle sites and distances travelled. This is a wonderful book. Don’t be put-off because it doesn’t provide maps.

Bradford’s biography of Hannibal Barca is a solid, relatively readable account of the man’s life, his accomplishments and contributions to military and other aspects of cultural history. Bradford makes good use of the classical sources as well as more recent scholarship. He includes a sufficient amount of human interest material to keep those not deeply interested in military history, the founding of empires and cultural shifts, though the prose is rather dogged. For my part, though I’ve spent time in the Mediterranean and know some of its history, inclusion of at least one, if not three or four maps at relevant locations in the text would have made the reading experience much more enjoyable. Instead, I went to Wikipedia and other sources to find those resources. Thus the four stars, which is the upper bound of my estimate of this book.

This is an excellent biography of an interesting historical figure. Two criticisms. The book would benefit from some maps or diagrams because so much of the text describes little known locations. I would like some more conclusory analysis, not just a recitation of events

We follow the Great General across the Alps and into Italy to see his genius on the battlefield. His eclectic mixture of Gauls, Namibian and Cartheginians terrorized and defeated legion after legion. Seventeen years of war upon the Roman's gave Hannibal mastery over the Italian peninsula and showed what manner of strategic and tactical wonder his mind was. This account is riveting. I applauded the authors detail and sense of the man. I enjoyed the journey immensely.

Bradford's biography of the Carthaginian General who almost destroyed Rome is spot on. He captures the life and personality of the General vividly with anecdotes about his life and reports of his recorded words. His descriptions of the battles and the tactics used is highly readable and comprehensible. His obvious mastery of the literature paints his as a credible voice to be writing on the topic.The book begins with a short essay of admiration for the General and a description of his final hours. Then he takes us through the entire life of Hannibal, from his early years in Spain, to the many years he spent fighting in the second Punic War, to his time as a statesmen in Carthage, and finally his adventures in the East, where he could still find no respite from the Romans.The book is of moderate length, and is easy to read. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this book. I learned the story of Hannibal’s life and accomplishments. Also covers his use of elephants in battle. Recommended.

Being unfamiliar with European geography it took looking at a map to determine approximate areas being identified. Dispite that wrinkle the description of the events were compelling & descriptive to create a picture of events. Hannibal was a "Stud" no doubt.

I thought I had some knowledge about Hannibal's long and incredible campaign(s) in Rome, but this book really broadened my knowledge. It was a great book on one of the most compelling war/leadership histories I've ever read.

Great book, Hannibal as a soldier commander and leader to be reckoned withEasy to read and engagig, once I read tis Hannibal became one of my all time heroes. Why 4* Because after his first campaign nothing elase could have surprised me!

This is a delightful account of the life of a visionary master of combat and campaign whose decisions and strategy are legendary

All in all one great book and it wasn't untill later that I realised that I had previously read another book by Ernle Bradford - The Great Siege: Malta, 1565 (Wordsworth Military Library) and that is easily among the better history books I have read. Bradfords style is living and smooth and you have the feel of reading a fictional novel whitout sacrificing historic content. Today these are my favorite books, for real life has a far deeper plot than fiction, and the characters have greater depth.As for the book itself the story of Hannibal is the story of Carthage and the rise of Rome. It is the story of the underdog vs. the almighty Empire and it has a tragic twist. From a military standpoint Hannibals achivements were outstanding and battles are well rendered in the book. Politically the stakes were high in this life and death struggle, the last danger to the new order and the final hope of salvation for an entire nation. All in all a most excellent read. For 5 pounds, buy it.Lastly I would like to recommend that you read Scipio Africanus: Greater than Napoleon by Liddel Hart when you have read Hannibal, so that you can see Hannibal and his victor from a Roman standpoint, together the books greatly compliment each other. Both books are great and I am a little sad that I have finished both and have to find something new to read.

Great read full of interesting aspects of an amazing individual, as he battled with the Roman empire. Scored it four stars, due to the lack of maps and possible battle diagrams that would have assisted. Overall super read.

Great read, brought events into context.