Hannibal's Oath: The Life and Wars of Rome's Greatest Enemy

(Hardback)

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Description

According to ancient sources, Hannibal was only nine years old when his father dipped the small boy's hand in blood and made him swear eternal hatred of Rome. Whether the story is true or not, it is just one of hundreds of legends that have appeared over the centuries about this enigmatic military genius who challenged Rome for mastery of the ancient world.

In this new biography, historian John Prevas reveals the truth behind the myths of Hannibal's life, wars, and character- from his childhood in Carthage to his training in military camps in Spain, crossing of the Alps, spectacular victories in Italy, humiliating defeat in the North African desert, banishment from Carthage, and suicide. Hannibal's Oath is an epic account of a monumental figure in history.

Reviews

"An exceptionally well researched, comprehensive, documented, and deftly written biography of an iconic military leader that reads with the inherently engaging appeal of a deftly crafted novel...Very highly recommended for both community and academic library biography collections."--Midwest Book Review
"[An] excellent biography of Rome's nemesis."
--Military Officer
"An accessible account of the legendary general determined to topple a republic...A concise, readable biography of the fascinating general...This book has much to recommend it-succinctness, helpful photographs of the author's onsite reconnaissance, and a wise narrative instinct to abbreviate the latter half of Hannibal's time in Rome."--Washington Independent Review of Books
"Compact and exhilarating."--Philadelphia Inquirer
"Entertaining, fast, thought provoking reading...[A] balanced account...Covers much not discussed...in other books...This work benefits as much from its author as its history. Prevas intimately knows the battlefields, mountains, and rivers; he takes the reader on a sort of travelogue as well as telling a great immortal story."--New York Journal of Books
"Fascinating, authoritative, and an absolute joy to read, Hannibal's Oath is the definitive account of one of history's most enigmatic and important figures. A must for every lover of history, adventure, and unparalleled intrigue. No one brings history to life like John Prevas!"--Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Use of Force

"Here, at last, is a biography worthy of one of history's most fascinating figures, whose crossing of the Alps with elephants to take on the mighty Roman Empire has captured imaginations for more than two thousand years. Written with a verve Hannibal would have admired, John Prevas's absorbing masterpiece will grip you from beginning to end."--Steve Forbes, bestselling author and editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine

"Prevas, a leading contemporary authority on Hannibal, has set out in this book to evoke the figure of Hannibal for the average reader with an interest in history, and in this he is largely successful...Gives adequate detail to really appreciate the stories, while still being approachable for a more general audience."--Portland Book Review
"Provid[es] context, both strategic and political."--Thomas Ricks, New York Times Book Review

Author Bio

John Prevas is a New York Times bestselling author and is considered one of the leading experts on Hannibal. He has given presentations at Princeton, Rutgers, Vassar, Stanford, and Meridian House International in Washington, DC. He has participated in a documentary on Hannibal filmed in the Alps by the BBC and the National Geographic Society, and he has spoken on Hannibal as a leadership figure at a meeting of United Nations ambassadors in New York and at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. He has appeared on the History Channel, CNN, NPR, C-Span's Book Talk, and Fox News. He lives in Florida.