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

by John Prevas

Overview

According to the ancient sources, Hannibal was nine years old when his father led him to the temple at Carthage and dipped the young boy's hands in the blood of the sacrificial victim. Before those gods, Hannibal swore an oath of eternal hatred toward Rome.

Few images in history have managed to capture and hold the popular imagination quite like that of Hannibal, the fearless North African, perched on a monstrous elephant, leading his mercenaries over the Alps, and then, against all odds, descending the ice-covered peaks to challenge Rome in her own backyard for mastery of the ancient world. It was a bold move, and it established Hannibal as one of history's greatest commanders. But this same brilliant tactician is also one of history's most tragic figures; fate condemned him to win his battles but not his war against Rome.

An internationally recognized expert on Hannibal for nearly thirty years, historian John Prevas has visited every Hannibal-related site and mountain pass, from Tunisia to Italy, Spain to Turkey, seeking evidence to dispel the myths surrounding Hannibal's character and his wars.

Hannibal's Oath is an easily readable yet comprehensive biography of this iconic military leader—an epic account of a monumental and tragic life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780306824241
Publisher:	Hachette Books
Publication date:	09/26/2017
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

John Prevas is a New York Times bestselling author whose first book, Hannibal Crosses the Alps, ignited the debate among academics over which pass Hannibal used — a debate which continues today. He has been featured in a documentary about Hannibal filmed in the Alps by the BBC and has spoken on Hannibal as a leadership figure to United Nations ambassadors, the Smithsonian Institute, the Hoover Institute at Stanford University, the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, and at Forbes CEO conferences. Prevas has appeared on the History Channel, CNN, CNN International, NPR, C-Span's Book TV, and Fox Television.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Chronology xiii

Dramatis Personae xix

Maps xxiv

Prologue The Ultimate Sacrifice to Fulfill an Oath 1

Chapter I The Road to Power 7

Chapter II On the March 35

Chapter III Over the Icy Peaks 61

Chapter IV Crushing the Romans 85

Chapter V The Ebbing Tide 129

Chapter VI Unending War 163

Chapter VII Return to Africa 179

Chapter VIII Exile 211

Afterword 237

Acknowledgments 243

Notes 245

Bibliography 255

Index 271

Editorial Reviews

"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


"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


"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


"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 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

"Provid[es] context, both strategic and political."—Thomas Ricks, New York Times Book Review

"Compact and exhilarating."—Philadelphia Inquirer

"[An] excellent biography of Rome's nemesis."
—Military Officer

"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

From the Publisher

Prevas’s account of the life of Rome’s great early enemy Hannibal, makes for a fairly engaging story with much interesting detail. But Brad Raymond’s narration, while effective in some ways, is significantly flawed. His voice is slightly raspy but expressive and not unpleasant. He’s able at using intonation and emphasis to convey meaning, and his pacing is good. But he mispronounces many names, not just ancient, but modern, and even ordinary words. The errors go beyond distracting to confusing, as one can’t always be sure of the place names. Worse, however, is that he reads as if declaiming from a stage. Audiobooks tend to be an intimate medium; listeners may find being harangued, as if by a stump speech to a large crowd, simply tiring. W.M. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

JANUARY 2018 - AudioFile

Prevas’s account of the life of Rome’s great early enemy Hannibal, makes for a fairly engaging story with much interesting detail. But Brad Raymond’s narration, while effective in some ways, is significantly flawed. His voice is slightly raspy but expressive and not unpleasant. He’s able at using intonation and emphasis to convey meaning, and his pacing is good. But he mispronounces many names, not just ancient, but modern, and even ordinary words. The errors go beyond distracting to confusing, as one can’t always be sure of the place names. Worse, however, is that he reads as if declaiming from a stage. Audiobooks tend to be an intimate medium; listeners may find being harangued, as if by a stump speech to a large crowd, simply tiring. W.M. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

JANUARY 2018 - AudioFile