Hannibal

By: Patrick N. Hunt

Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the greatest commanders of the ancient world brought vividly to life: Hannibal, the brilliant general who successfully crossed the Alps with his war elephants and brought Rome to its knees.

Hannibal Barca of Carthage, born 247 BC, was one of the great generals of the ancient world. His father, Hamilcar, was also a great strategist and master tactician who imposed Carthaginian rule over much of present-day Spain. After Hamilcar led the Carthaginian forces against Rome in the First Punic War, Hannibal followed in his father's footsteps, leading Carthage in the Second Punic War.

From the time he was a teenager, Hannibal fought against Rome. He is famed for leading Carthage's army across north Africa, into Spain, along the Mediterranean coast, and then crossing the Alps with his army and war elephants. Hannibal won victories in northern Italy by outmaneuvering his Roman adversaries and defeated a larger Roman army at the battle of Cannae in 216 BC. Unable to force Rome to capitulate, he was eventually forced to leave Italy and return to Carthage when a savvy Roman general named Scipio invaded north Africa. Hannibal and Scipio fought an epic battle at Zama, which Hannibal lost. The terms of surrender were harsh and many Carthaginians blamed Hannibal, eventually forcing him into exile until his death.

To this day Hannibal is still regarded as a military genius. Napoleon, George Patton, and Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. are only some of the generals who studied and admired him. His strategy and tactics are still taught in military academies. He is one of the figures of the ancient world whose life and exploits never fail to impress. Historian Patrick N. Hunt has led archaeological expeditions in the Alps and elsewhere to study Hannibal's achievements. Now he brings Hannibal's incredible story to life in this riveting and dramatic audiobook.

©2017 Patrick N. Hunt (P)2018 Tantor

Critic reviews

"An exciting biography of one of history's greatest commanders... A thrilling page-turner about one of history's most brilliant strategists and tacticians." (Kirkus, starred review)

Story amazing. Narrator was too choppy.

The story itself is absolutely fascinating. The only problem I have with this is the narrator. Well written book. Narrator got a bit too choppy a few times.

Fantastic

The narration was great and the whole book really goes into detail on Hannibal. Highly recommend this book.

Always amazing!

Never a dull moment in this fascinating story. Always leaves me appreciating Hannibal’s stratagem and ultimate choice. Well told, decent narrator,

My single favorite general of the ancient world

A brilliant voice narrating the life of a brilliant man.

Hannibal truly was a character of history, and the fact this work makes such good use of maligning sources, and still pays due homage to his brilliance is a testament to man and without alike.

great story of history

on issue was you need maps available which were likely in the book. overall interesting story not heard by many. also enjoyed the breakdown of the historical context.

/noice/

Probably the best book about Hannibal Barca for popular consumption if you don't want to get into all the warfare logistics of Rome and Carthage.

Love this

I really enjoyed this text, and the reading. Uses very descriptive imagery and really paints a clear picture, as if I were there myself.

Pleased with depth

Most accounts of Hannibal's life and invasion are from the Roman point of view and lack much of the interesting detail and context. I listened to this book twice and came away much more informed of this era.

Had heard but never knew anything about Hannibal

To learn and understand the military genius of such a man that history remembers. And, modern understanding can not fathom, is truly a unique opportunity in understanding that although the modern military is incredibly more capable of waging destruction upon an enemy. The Art and Practice of warfare and winning is still that; an Art and gets better in practice.

A monotone mundane narration

An outstanding book should not have to suffer from a poor narrator; here a mundane, monotone dirge, clipping words off, snip, snip, snip. A kingdom for a full, robust Britain: Timothy West, David Rintoul, Simon Vance! For God sakes!! You can’t listen to Stewart at 1x speed. Raise it to at least 1.2x or it will seem you are trudging through a swamp dragging a mule. As always I use Audible to accompany the reading. Once I turned up the speed on the audio I breezed through the book with no loss of comprehension, no sacrifice of appreciation of it either. This is a well researched and readable book, engaging and interesting. Footnotes and bibliography.