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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
Well written chronological account of the Punic Wars. Not only that, but also gives some essential context on how the Roman Republic transformed through decades of war with its greatest, and most powerful enemy, to become the leading Mediterranean super power of its time, and arguably the most recognized empire to ever exist.
I wish some of the most interesting events were written with a bit more detail, such as the Battle of Cannae, but you can't get everything in 400 pages I suppose, and the sources might be lacking for very fine detail.
I wish some of the most interesting events were written with a bit more detail, such as the Battle of Cannae, but you can't get everything in 400 pages I suppose, and the sources might be lacking for very fine detail.
Hannibal Barca. One of the most feared enemies of Rome.
Publius Scipio Africanus. One of the most feared enemies of Carthage.
Both didn’t face each other in battle while commanding the main forces directly but fought amazing battles parallel of the other. Hannibal always had the good strategy of surprise and ambush and Scipio of a more aggressive but calculated attack.
This book perfectly explains the origins of the Punic Wars and the events and battles happening during the conflict.
Overall a good book. Although I would like more information regarding the politics during these conflicts because also in that part there is much to tell.
Publius Scipio Africanus. One of the most feared enemies of Carthage.
Both didn’t face each other in battle while commanding the main forces directly but fought amazing battles parallel of the other. Hannibal always had the good strategy of surprise and ambush and Scipio of a more aggressive but calculated attack.
This book perfectly explains the origins of the Punic Wars and the events and battles happening during the conflict.
Overall a good book. Although I would like more information regarding the politics during these conflicts because also in that part there is much to tell.
adventurous
challenging
informative
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
This was a very dense, over descriptive book about the Punic Wars. It could have been much shorter and easier to comprehend with less adjectives and adverbs. I think the author needs to realize he is not writing the next Illiad or Odyssey but just a history book.
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
A really fascinating and well laid out analysis and commentary on the Three Punic Wars between the great powers of Rome rising to its prime, and the gradual downfall of Carthage. Really interesting non-fiction which Adrian Goldsworthy clearly depicts what we know and what is conjecture.
I don't think you can do much better for a general history than this, it delivers the entire conflict and surrounding social context without getting bogged down, Goldsworthy might have been able to expand in places but I think it would have turned the text into something it wasn't trying to be, he gives some context of the primary sources and a few modern findings so you always have a good idea where the information is coming from and how reliable, would highly recommend to anyone interested in the Punic Wars.
As someone with only passing knowledge of Punic wars this book provided a broad overview of all three wars and the political realities/motivations for the conflicts. I appreciated the author’s dedication to citing primary/secondary sources and discussing which theories or myths may be less than factual. The book also gave enough detail on the major event and battles without getting bogged down in every skirmish, nor does the author overly romanticize the generals and major players of the wars.