- Paperback: 312 pages
- Publisher: Da Capo Press Inc; 1st Da Capo Press Ed edition (30 Sep 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0306805839
- ISBN-13: 978-0306805837
- Product Dimensions: 21.5 x 13.6 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,487,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Scipio Africanus (236183 B.C.) was one of the most exciting and dynamic leaders in history. As commander he never lost a battle. Yet it is his adversary, Hannibal, who has lived on in the public memory, due mostly to his daring march through the Alps with his elephants. At the Battle of the Ticinus, Hannibals initial encounter with Roman arms, young Scipio first tasted warfare, rescuing his dangerously wounded, encircled father, who was also the Roman commander. By nineteen Scipio was the equivalent of a staff colonel and in 210 B.C. he was placed in supreme command. In three years he destroyed Carthaginian power in Spain and, after being made consul, took his forces to Africa, where he conquered Carthages great ally, Syphax. Two years later he clashed with Hannibal himself, annihilating his army in the decisive Battle of Zama. For this triumph and his other exploits in the Punic Wars, Scipio was awarded the title Africanus. In his fascinating portrait of this extraordinary commander, B. H. Liddell Hart writes, The age of generalship does not age, and it is because Scipios battles are richer in stratagems and rusesmany still feasible todaythan those of any other commander in history that they are an unfailing object lesson. Not only military enthusiasts and historians but all those interested in outstanding men will find this magnificent study absorbing and gripping.
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PUBLIUS CORNELIUS SCIPIO was born at Rome in the 517th year from the city's foundation-235 B.C. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
PUBLIUS CORNELIUS SCIPIO was born at Rome in the 517th year from the city's foundation-235 B.C. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In their decling years Scipio met with Hannibal who he had vanquished and asked who in Hannibal's mind was the greatest general.
"Alexander" did Hannibal reply
"And second best?"
"Pyrrus"
"And the third?"
"Myself"
"And if you had beaten me?"
"Then I would have counted myself first" did Hannibal reply.
"Alexander" did Hannibal reply
"And second best?"
"Pyrrus"
"And the third?"
"Myself"
"And if you had beaten me?"
"Then I would have counted myself first" did Hannibal reply.
Scipio is without doubt one of the greatest military geniuses of antiquity and should deserve a better place in history. Liddle Hart presents a strong case in his favor but that is rather a weakness than a strength in this book.
For the most part the book reads like a good fictional novel, its text is smooth and you feel that you get to know Scipio quite well and his brilliance shines without Liddle Hart attempting his comparisons to other generals of old. I found his comparisons unneccessary and sometimes a bit too much, regardless of their truth. But the book is good enough that this is only a minor annoyance ans for the most part I found it quite good. I read it after reading Hannibal by Ernle Bradford and I found that they complemented each other very well. Easily 4 stars and for the low price it is well worth the buy.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Lidddell Hart has written firstly a very good biography of Scipio Africanus and also a good work of Military History. His understanding of battle tactics and the decisive actions that can make victory is testimony to his own great experience. However I agree somewhat with other reviewers - he belittles the achievements of Alexander and Hannibal (although not Caesar) and I don't believe a comparison with Napoleon is necessarily.
But the underrated brilliance of Africanus: his astonishing rise to command in his early twenties, his charisma, inspirational leadership and most of all his canny understanding of Strategy in an age where few could comprehend the concept is well illustrated.
But the underrated brilliance of Africanus: his astonishing rise to command in his early twenties, his charisma, inspirational leadership and most of all his canny understanding of Strategy in an age where few could comprehend the concept is well illustrated.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Bearing in mind the forthcoming movie on Hannibal, the author is right to remind us that heroic failures tend to be remembered more than humble victors.
As with all Liddell-Harts writing, it's intelligent and yet an easy read. He conveys a lot of military history without boring the general reader.
Short and to the point, I would recommend this wholeheartedly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An immodest author for a modest general
Perhaps my use of the word(s) 'modest' a tad too much, but it is still fair, in my opinion. I've read this book more times than I care to count, and continue to enjoy it on each... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ally Johnsen
A superb book!
Commander Liddell Hart, the greatest military prophet and philosopher of the XX century, takes you for a ride around the II century BC, a ride you will not forget. Read more
Published 15 months ago by marginal
Scipio Africanus
My late father really rated this book - which he lent to somebody many years ago and never saw again. Read more
Published 18 months ago by D. C. Fuhr
Excellent reading
Mr. Hart has a very compelling writing style and makes an excellent case in favor of Scipio Africanus. Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2008 by D. Jonas
What a marvellous book
Considering how difficult it must be to obtain information on this subject, this really is a first class book. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2008 by Andrew Stibbard
Readable, insightful, informative
Well, you can argue all you like about whether Scipio was really a better general than Napoleon (or Alexander, Hannibal or so forth) but it's a brave man who thinks he knows better... Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2006 by trewornan
Excellent study of a forgotten general
Hmmmn, Mr Liddell-Hart seems to have ruffled a few feathers when he rates Scipio as the greatest general in history.
A few things to consider. Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2004
A masterpiece of military writing
As ever Liddell-Hart combines his vast knowledge of all things military with his distinctive writing style. Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2003 by Audun H
good, but a bit overcooked
I agree with the previous reviewer that the case is overstated, although there is a great deal of interesting info to be found here. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2001
Fascinating book of it's time
For me the most interesting thing about this work is how it reflects immediately post World War One military thought. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2001 by Kentspur
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