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15 reviews for:
Masters of Command: Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, and the Genius of Leadership
Barry S. Strauss
3.74 AVERAGE
15 reviews for:
Masters of Command: Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, and the Genius of Leadership
Barry S. Strauss
3.74 AVERAGE
After being bit disappointed by The Ten Caesars, I was a bit weary about reading something else by Barry Strauss. But his other book sounded so interesting so I decided to bite the bullet and how surprised I was. This is a great informative non fiction that keeps you focused on the information without being boring. It's written with great talent and it was a joy to read. Have big hope for the other books now and I hope I will enjoy them just as much.
Well, I was interested in the concept of this book, certainly, but then I got to this part:
Napoleon asked for generals who were not only good but also lucky. He would have had many occasions to be pleased with Alexander, Hannibal, and Caesar. But only Divine Providence, and not mere luck, can explain the guidance and protection needed to reach the heights they did. [...] Divine Providence was essential.All three of these men lived long before the invention of Christianity (ca. 33 CE), with Caesar being the closest, having died around 60 years before. "Divine Providence" is a uniquely Christian concept that does not apply to any of these people. Just call it "luck," for crying out loud.
Divine Providence guided the steps of young men born to be conquerors, like Alexander and Hannibal, and also the steps of a middle-aged politician who went to war and turned out to be the greatest general of all—Caesar. Only Divine Providence can lead a man’s foes off the cliff. Without having to lift a finger, for example, Alexander saw his worst enemy die suddenly.
The Romans played into Hannibal’s hands by launching their biggest army against him. He was waiting at Cannae. There, Hannibal achieved one of the world’s greatest battlefield victories, but he failed to follow up Cannae with a march on Rome—and that cost him the war.
As the saying goes, man plans, God laughs.
An interesting discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of Caesar, Alexander, and Hannibal. I enjoyed the historical discussion as well as the details related to the most important battles that each general undertook. I'm not certain I agree with the book's thesis, and it does spend a lot of time criticizing the decisions of Hannibal while simultaneously lauding him as a top tier general, which was a bit confusing. It is a worthwhile book for the history, but I'm not sure it has too many lessons to teach.
Great men have greater fall-abilities. All three didn't have a peaceful end but nonetheless remain relevant till the present.
Good and interesting descriptions of battles and campaigns by Alexander, Hanibal and Caesar. A bit repetitive because narrative often changes between the three commanders; on the upside Strauss sometimes paints insightful parallels.
I did not see the application to modern business-strategy that is touted on the back of the book. This is primairily and foremost a very decent history book.
I did not see the application to modern business-strategy that is touted on the back of the book. This is primairily and foremost a very decent history book.