- Paperback: 416 pages
- Publisher: Phoenix (Oct 9 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0304366420
- ISBN-13: 978-0304366422
- Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 12.1 x 20.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 281 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #148,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Product Description
“Adrian Goldsworthy is one of the best young historians writing today.” —John Keegan
The Fall of Carthage was the greatest conflict of the ancient world, and thanks to one of the finest historians of our time, this sweeping saga comes to life anew for modern audiences. The cast of endlessly fascinating characters includes the generals Hannibal and Scipio, as well as treacherous chieftains, beautiful princesses, scheming politicians, and tough professional warriors.
The Fall of Carthage was the greatest conflict of the ancient world, and thanks to one of the finest historians of our time, this sweeping saga comes to life anew for modern audiences. The cast of endlessly fascinating characters includes the generals Hannibal and Scipio, as well as treacherous chieftains, beautiful princesses, scheming politicians, and tough professional warriors.
About the Author
Adrian Goldsworthy has a doctorate from Oxford University. His first book, The Roman Army at War, was recognised by John Keegan, the distinguished military historian, as an exceptionally impressive work. Dr Goldsworthy's book in The Cassell History of Warfare series has also been widely recognised as exceptional in opening the history of Roman warfare to the general reader. Dr Goldsworthy lives in Penarth, South Glamorgan.
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Who needs Polybius or Livy?,
By Faronicus (Mankato, MN) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Fall of Carthage (Paperback)
For anyone who has tried to trudge through Livy's account of the Hannibalian War, Goldsworthy's (AG's) book is extremely helpful. The ancient historians can be borderline-reliable. AG mentions frequently that timelines or characters are convoluted. He acts as a moderator between the ancient accounts, and giving his own best guess of events. This book is quite readable to amateur Greco-Roman historians like me, and the fact that much is lost from that period gives the whole subject a whiff of mystery. The first chapter on warfare and politics (they are, of course, mutually inclusive) in the ancient world is valuable. Most striking is the tediousness of preparing for battle: you'll never see this in "Gladiator" or "Troy". These are people and times so profoundly different than ours. So, if you're in between books about the Greatest Generation, try reading about the generation that lived through Trebia, Trasimene, and Cannae, and Zama.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Informative But Very Dull,
By
This review is from: The Fall of Carthage (Paperback)
I am normally a huge fan of Goldsworthy`s material. This particular title; The Fall Of Carthage, came up a little short. The information was well researched. The reader will find everything they need to know about the Punic Wars. The only problem with the book, is that it tends to be a rather boring read.A good example would be the coverage of Hannibal`s Gisgo joke. Hannibal`s men are looking down on 70,000 Roman troops, just before the battle of Cannae. They are massively outnumber by the Romans. Gisgo nervously points out the huge number of Roman troops to Hannibal. Hannibal in what might be the largest display of confidence in human history, cracks a joke. The joke was passed down the lines within the ranks. The level of confidence inspired the soldiers. In Goldsworthy`s account of the Gisgo joke, it was like reading something out of a dictionary. In summary this book is very interesting, but needed a little zest.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.2 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews) 24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Major Military Conflicts of the Ancient World,
By David Keymer "David Keymer" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Fall of Carthage (Paperback)
Military history has been slighted in recent years, with the possible exception of John Keegan's insightful books. In part it is because focusing on the role of the military runs counter to the modern bias that social currents determine the nature of wars and not wars the direction of the times. We also embrace a moralistic tendency to believe that violence never really solves anything. But violence has solved many things even in modern times and until we stop resorting to war to resolve inter-state conflicts, the study of war is --or should be-- of importance to us.Goldsworthy has written a solidly researched, lively (well --fairly lively) and measured history of the Punic Wars (265-146 BC). The three wars encompassed a theater of operations that spanned the south of Europe (Spain, Italy), the Mediterranean Sea (Sicily) and northern Africa, and took more than a century to complete. The wars were the formative conflict of the Roman Republic. Goldsworthy argues convincingly that Rome eventually destroyed Carthage for four reasons: (1) unlike other ancient states, Rome refused to concede defeat, no matter how badly or frequently its troops were beaten in battle; (2) the Romans excelled in learning from enemies, borrowing their tactics to defeat them; (3) Rome's allies remained true to Rome, regardless of defeat or victory, more often than was true of Carthage's allies; and (4) Rome possessed resources well beyond those of Carthage, both in men and goods, which made it possible for Rome to fight a multi-decade war regardless of the cost. This is a substantial book, accessible to novice as well as professional. Alas, the days are gone when one could count on school children knowing of the conflict between Carthage and Rome because they'd read about it in their Latin classes, but the story is still well worth telling. David Keymer Modesto CA 34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Who needs Polybius or Livy?,
By Faronicus - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Fall of Carthage (Paperback)
For anyone who has tried to trudge through Livy's account of the Hannibalian War, Goldsworthy's (AG's) book is extremely helpful. The ancient historians can be borderline-reliable. AG mentions frequently that timelines or characters are convoluted. He acts as a moderator between the ancient accounts, and giving his own best guess of events. This book is quite readable to amateur Greco-Roman historians like me, and the fact that much is lost from that period gives the whole subject a whiff of mystery. The first chapter on warfare and politics (they are, of course, mutually inclusive) in the ancient world is valuable. Most striking is the tediousness of preparing for battle: you'll never see this in "Gladiator" or "Troy". These are people and times so profoundly different than ours. So, if you're in between books about the Greatest Generation, try reading about the generation that lived through Trebia, Trasimene, and Cannae, and Zama. 30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Invigorating and modern,
By eric - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Fall of Carthage (Paperback)
Definitely a great read. Despite the fallacious pitch on the back "The cast of endlessly fascinating characters includes the generals Hannibal and Scipio, as well as treacherous chieftains, beautiful princesses, scheming politicians, and tough professional warriors.", a great and entertaining read. Almost reads like a novel, while still solidly argumented and avoiding the easy melodrama.Battles of the Antiquity are depicted in detail, consideing logistics and actual hand-to-hand fighting. Also an analysis that goes beyond the facts to understand social and political conditions. Sources are compared, decisions are dicussed, plausible explanations are proposed, but the author always manages not to appear as the pedant know-it-all but as a modern teacher who challenges the reader, and offers various reasons for enigmatic political or strategic decisions. A highly entertaining and intellectually refreshing read, thank you Mr Goldsworthy. I will investigate your other books. |
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