HANNIBAL'S LIEUTENANT: A UNIQUE BIOGRAPHY OF HANNIBAL.

Alexandria, Virginia: Manor House, 1994. 349 pp, 8vo (8 3/4" H). Maps. "(A) well-researched biography of the brilliant Hannibal as seen through the eyes of an interesting, yet fictional, officer. It retains a close fidelity to known facts about the life of one of the finest generals the world has ever known, but it reads like an historical novel. This book recreates the amazing life and times of this military genius, charismatic leader, astute manager of resources, efficient public administrator, and great champion of democracy. Most of what we know about Hannibal was written by his enemies over 2,000 years ago. Their writings show a grudging admiration for the brilliant Hannibal, but they are written from the Roman perspective, with the prejudices of his bitter enemies. 'Hannibal's Lieutenant' interprets the fascinating facts and situations as Hannibal and his supporters would have seen them, with their own prejudices. Once war was declared by his government, Hannibal became a victim of political gridlock and inaction by politicians of the Carthaginian government in Africa. Political enemies in Carthage, more than the Roman soldiers in Italy, were responsible for his failure to defeat Rome. Hannibal comes alive as the story follows his life: from his early years to commanding general of Carthaginian forces in Spain at age 25; from climbing the hazardous Alps with his army and elephants to invade Italy at age 26 to fighting Romans in Italy for 16 years with no major defeats; through public adminstrator in Carthage for seven years after the war, where he reformed the government by eliminating graft and corruption and changed it from rule by a privileged few to the most democratic government in the Hellenistic world; from military consultant of the king of Syria in Ephesus where he accompanied the king during Syria's invasion of Greece and later led a fleet of warships in a sea battle to his refuge on the island of Crete; through his stint as consultant to the king of Bithynia after fleeing Crete; and finally to his suicide at age 64 in 183 B.C." Previous owner's small stamp on front pastedown, very light wrinkling at top of spine. Dust jacket has minor wrinkling at top of spine and flap-folds. . First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good+/Near Fine.