- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Ace (MM) (Mar 25 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0441010385
- ISBN-13: 978-0441010387
- Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 10.6 x 2.7 cm
- Shipping Weight: 172 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#13,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Alternate History
- #82 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Adventure
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
John Maddox Roberts's alternative history Hannibal's Children is an interesting expedition to answer the question "What if Hannibal of Carthage had succeeded in his bid to conquer Rome during the second Punic War?"
Roberts, author of The Catiline Conspiracy and several other titles revolving around ancient Rome, opens his novel with a few words of history to acquaint the reader with the particulars of the Punic War. He then launches into his experiment, taking the reader onto the floor of the Roman Senate, which is voting to accept Hannibal's terms of surrender, namely that the Romans leave their beloved seven hills and never return. The novel then moves forward 200 years, when the descendants of the exiled Romans have carved a new empire from the barbarous north called "Roma Noricum." An expedition is sent south to assess the strength of Hannibal's descendants--a journey that takes the scouts through Rome and across the Mediterranean to the hearts of Carthage and Egypt, which have risen to great power and wealth in the absence of Rome.
Roberts is a bear for details, especially those of a military nature. His fascination with Roman military prowess is evident as he skillfully and vividly re-creates the might of the legions. Likewise, his speculative re-creation of Roman, Carthaginian, and Egyptian societies is colorful and rich. Unfortunately, Roberts runs out of gas in his third act, leaving plot lines dangling, character development unfinished, and the reader stuck hoping for 300 more pages or wishing for a sequel. Despite this flaw, the book is a fascinating experiment that brings the ancient world to life. --Jeremy Pugh --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
What would have happened if Hannibal had received the reinforcements necessary for him to topple the Roman Empire? That fascinating "what if" is the central premise of Roberts's (the SPQR series) latest historical novel, which begins with the arrival of Philip V of Macedon and his formidable army at a pivotal point in the series of wars between Carthage and Rome, allowing the brilliant Hannibal to force a surrender in which the Romans are driven north out of Italy. Fast-forward a hundred years: the Romans are plotting their revenge against Hannibal's progeny, starting with a trade mission-cum-military espionage expedition led by Marcus Scipio. Scipio does a thorough job of sizing up the capabilities of the Carthaginians before leaving behind his rival, Titus Norbanus, to manage that situation in Carthage while he embarks on a similar expedition to Egypt. He then plans an ingenious series of maneuvers to retake Italy, pitting the Carthaginians against the Egyptians while manipulating both the queen of Egypt and Hannibal's heir, Hamilcar II, before a series of dramatic battles that feature the innovative war technology of the era. Roberts occasionally gets bogged down in military minutiae and cultural rituals, but his portraits of the various leaders and rivals are first-rate and his knowledge of the period is unassailable. He does an admirable job of navigating through a difficult and challenging conceit, providing plenty of reflective material for history buffs while constructing an intriguing story line that pays tribute to the ingenuity of the Romans.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thought-provoking alternative history,
By Michael J. Wagner (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Hannibals Children (Hardcover)
The best narrative history provokes one to think. One can say the same of the best alternative history. "Hannibal's Children" is entertaining as well as thought-provoking. Entertaining because it is a good story. Thought-provoking because it forces one to look at the history of the ancient Mediterranean from a new perspective--a history which is fascinating, lurid, bloody, and full of "what-might-have-been" questions. It also helps that that period of history is a distant mirror of our own age.The protagonist of the novel, Marcus Cornelius Scipio, is a patrician of Roma Noricum and a paragon of ancient Roman virtue. Perhaps too much so, but such Romans did exist (there are plenty of historical accounts, consult "Plutarch's Lives"). He is just as believable a character as Alexander or Hannibal. As background reading I recommend this good guide to the post-Alexander Hellenistic world and Rome's increasing involvement. It is Professor Peter Green's heavy (literally) but witty book "From Alexander to Actium". Green's book is a good but lengthy read. I'd just finished it before reading "Hannibal's Children" (a fact which contributed to my respect for Roberts' use and command of history). Among other things, Green discusses Alexandria, the inventiveness of the Museum staff, and the prejudice of the philosophers against dirtying their hands. The Museum's inventiveness was wasted on devising elaborate mechanical toys for the court rather than practical applications. That archetypal Roman Scipio's engagement with the inventive Archimedeans and their many inventions is not at all farfetched. When societies are at war the norms and conventions are often dropped. Others have written of the abortive scientific revolution in ancient Alexandria which would have probably progressed if the philosophers had been willing to dirty their hands. I echo the comments of other reviewers who wished a map had been provided in the text. Proper maps with scales are a necessity in historical novels. I also have one small geographical quibble that I urge be corrected in subsequent editions. The Nile flows from south to north. If one travels southwards toward Sudan one is travelling upstream or up river. One goes down the Nile when travelling north to the Mediterranean. References to the Nile on pages 158 and 352 should read "up the river" and "up the Nile" respectively. In conclusion, I recommend this book which is obviously the first in a series and look forward to successive volumes.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Clever alternative view of history,
By A Customer
This review is from: Hannibals Children (Paperback)
I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this at first despite being a huge fan of the SPQR series. It took a while to get started but John Maddox Roberts knows his history and he has really thought through this alternate version, constructing a very 'real' world. Pretty soon I was completely caught up in the story and all I want to know now is when the next book in the series is due out, because I want to know what happens next.And when you think about it - you can't ask more of a series-opener like this, can you?
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliantly conceived and well executed, great read,
By
This review is from: Hannibals Children (Paperback)
I'm not sure what some of the other reviewers expect, 800 pages of character development and dialogue or far more of the focus on the Carthaginians when the Romans are really the focus of the story. Extremely well researched and the research is presented in a meaningful, interesting way that develops the tale (rather than just "see all the facts I learned today about Rome!". It's actually a richer plot and story with better character development than most speculative or historical fiction so I'm not sure what paragons or perhaps other genres are being used as a yardstick here. Readers who enjoy Harry Turtledove, David Drake, S.M. Stirling, and Eric Flint will enjoy this author as well. It makes you think, it makes you wonder, and most important of all it keeps you always asking "what's next?"Let's hope for a couple of sequels.
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