Hannibal

One Man Against Rome

By: Harold Lamb

Narrated by: Charlton Griffin

Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the breathtaking adventure of the great Carthaginian general who shook the foundations of Rome. When conflict between Rome and Carthage resumed in 219 B.C., after a brief hiatus from the first Punic War, the Romans decided to invade Spain. Eluding several Roman legions sent out to intercept him in Spain and France, Hannibal Barca astoundingly led his small army of mercenaries over the Alps and thundered down into the Po Valley. The Carthaginian swept all resistance from his path and, as one victory led to another, drove a wedge between Rome and its allies. Hannibal marched up and down the Italian peninsula for 18 years, appearing well nigh invincible to a Rome which began to doubt itself for the first time in its history.

This violent and exciting narrative will thrill you with the accounts of heroism and brilliance displayed on both sides as the war raged mercilessly across the entire Western Mediterranean. Learn how the patience of Fabius Maximus and the genius of Lucius Cornelius Scipio finally turned the tide in this, the world's first "global" conflict...a conflict whose aftermath proved to be one of the most decisive and enduring events in world history. And finally, learn the secret to the success of Hannibal, the most brilliant military commander of all time.

©2003 Audio Connoisseur (P)2003 Audio Connoisseur

Better than fantasy

Amazing book, couldn't put it down at parts.
The narrator really brings you in to the story, and makes it feel like the second punic war is happening right now. It's amazing that we have so detailed discriptions of people that lived thousands of years ago.

I had no idea ....

I had no idea of what was going on in 200 A.D. in the area of north Africa and southern Europe until I listened to this superb book. Hannibals exploits are absolutely amazing. I now have a much greater appreciation of how intelligent, creative, and brave people were over 2200 years ago.

Both the author and the narrator are suberb, to the point that I immediately listened to Alexander of Macedon, which they also did, after I completed this audio book. I strongly suggest that if you do listen to either of these titles that you do a web search to find some more information, especially maps, to provide a better understanding of the travels and adventures of Hannibal and Alexander.

Great subject; decent writing; uninspiring reader

The story of Hannibal is interesting and worth listening to -- he was a truly unique character among history's greatest warriors. The book's writing style veers a bit too much toward summary rather than detail, which I found disappointing. There are some detailed descriptions of the conflicts with Romans, but just as many are glossed over without a real attempt to set the scene. Overall, the writing style lacked drama. The reader's clipped English accent made the story "listen" like a college lecture rather than the adventure it should have been. I would suggest that those truly interested in their history listen to this book but those expeting a bit more flare from a tale look elsewhere.

Great biography and an even better history

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Great way to learn about a neglected part of ancient history

What did you like best about this story?

Learning how Rome rose to power

What about Charlton Griffin’s performance did you like?

Smooth

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Learn how one man almost stopped the future

Any additional comments?

Harold Lamb gives us a thorough history of Rome’s rise to Mediterranean superpower with his biography of Hannibal. I think that the significance of the Second Punic War is never highlighted in history. Rome’s defeat of Hannibal solidified its control of the Italian peninsula and the western, Mediterranean. Rome’s conquered territory in Iberia (Spain) and Africa, made her an empire. Only Hannibal seemed to grasp the threat of increasing Roman power for his city as well as the rest of the Mediterranean world. He saw the future. Through his struggles, we see how the history of the ancient world unfolded much more vividly than the typical dry narrative.

Good subject fairly boring book and narator

a subject and knowledge that could have been a jam was waisted.
hart to follow due to very monotone narator and lifeless descriptions

No Jodi Foster Here

If you enjoy ancient history and listening to dudes with pleasant British accents, you will enjoy this book as much as I did. I did not realize I liked Hannibal until now.

Fantastic

A must listen if you love history! The reader was good, I will likely listen to other work by him.

Holy cow, was that was an awesome book!

I knew almost immediately that this book was going to be awesome all the way through! I just finished it and I seriously want to start it all over again. Haven't read anything this awesome since History of the Peloponnesian War. I had to drag my way through Caesar's Commentaries, but not at all through this. I always tell my wife about "How it almost was..." and this is exactly one of those stories. Amazing, and the narrator deserves an A+ for not being able to get any better.

Excellent, very interesting

This book was very different from what I expected. It is a great account of the life of Hannibal and gives a real insight into the history of Carthage. Also shows how a civilisation can decline over a very short period.

I would highly recommend the book. The narrator is great and very easy to listen to, even if at times the story gets very complicated.

I would though recommend a good map of the world in that time as you would then get a much better idea of where the tale takes place.

All in all a great book.

Good mid-20th century history

Harold Lamb's account of Hannibal Barca's life is remarkably gripping. He balances an appropriate mix of anecdotes, dry historical analysis, and extrapolation of his character. The story seems to come alive as a result - not the least due to the compelling narrator - and it was quite an enjoyable audiobook.

Unfortunately, Lamb's analysis is often colored by somewhat archaic views; the various peoples of Hannibal's time are characterized by sweeping generalizations which don't generally fit in more modern histories. The author's opinions are not hard to discern.

All in all, a very worthwhile book, and one that I recommend highly.