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Books : The War with Hannibal: The History of Rome from Its Foundation Bks. 21-30 (Classics)
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Rating: 
- The War with Hannibal
There is no better way of learning about Ancient Rome than to go the historians who lived in it. It will be very surprising to those not accustomed to reading ancient authors how approachable Livy's books are. Livy had a knack for telling a good story, and the ancient practice of re-creating, and in some cases, inventing speeches for key characters to deliver at key moments, is surprisingly effective. In fact, there is much wisdom in such a practice, for through such speeches we get the more subjective, emotional reality behind events. We could use some of that in our contemporary historical writing, which tends be very fact-based and yet missing the very important emotional context. Take the Iraqi war, for example. No doubt the history books will be full of data about its causes, but will future readers really understand the emotional context of the US response to 9-11? Would a speech encapsulating the misdirected rage not be helpful in this regard?
Anyway, this book would make a particularly good introduction to the classics, with the grandness of the story being told: This is the one that contains Hannibal's invasion of Italy, crossing the Alps with an international army of mercenaries and a few African elephants. It's a story full of suspense, with the Romans being shoved against the wall of their own home, suffering disaster after disaster, and then overcoming the odds through sheer grit and composure. On the moral side of things, it is difficult not to feel inspired in one personal's life after reading this until the memory of it all fades away--a good reason for getting the prior or next instalment of Livy.
Rating:
- Excellent
I bought this book to help me with my Latin AS Level course - and that it certainly did! The translation (from a linguistic point of view) follows the real Latin very closely, making literal translations very easy, whilst making the text sensible and interesting. If you are studying Livy as part of your AQA AS Level Latin course, I highly recommend this book - even if the course will only be around until 2006!
Rating: - A thoroughly gripping tale
It's surprising that more than a millennium after it was written, this history is still fascinating and as enjoyable to read as the most modern book. It explained many present day differences among Italians and gave me a strong sense of "place" that helps me enjoy more fully this 21st century Italy. I originally set out to discover what really happened at nearby Trasimeno, but found I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.
Rating: - A good translation of an excellent book
I have always enjoyed the way Livy can bring characters to life and this book is no exception. The content is fascinating and this translation is very competent.
Rating: - An Ancient Page-Turner!
If you are faintly interested in Roman History, then you should really read this book. It may be over two thousand years old, but it is certainly still alive and kicking! It is chock full of fascinating characters, such as the central, one-eyed battle-hardened Hannibal himself but also all of the Romans who face him - the reckless Minucius, the headstrong Varro and the steadfast and all-knowing Quintus Fabias Maximus. The battle scenes are fascinating and often very exciting, whilst the story of the panic in Rome, including amongst the common Romans as well as the frenzied debates of the Senate, is no less absorbing. Livy also provides us with many fascinating snapshots of Roman religious beliefs and customs along with his military commentaries that to read it is to be transported back to Ancient Rome. The book may be a bit fat and dry sounding, but open it up and you will be pleasantly surprised. Enthralling and totally compelling.
- The War with HannibalThere is no better way of learning about Ancient Rome than to go the historians who lived in it. It will be very surprising to those not accustomed to reading ancient authors how approachable Livy's books are. Livy had a knack for telling a good story, and the ancient practice of re-creating, and in some cases, inventing speeches for key characters to deliver at key moments, is surprisingly effective. In fact, there is much wisdom in such a practice, for through such speeches we get the more subjective, emotional reality behind events. We could use some of that in our contemporary historical writing, which tends be very fact-based and yet missing the very important emotional context. Take the Iraqi war, for example. No doubt the history books will be full of data about its causes, but will future readers really understand the emotional context of the US response to 9-11? Would a speech encapsulating the misdirected rage not be helpful in this regard?
Anyway, this book would make a particularly good introduction to the classics, with the grandness of the story being told: This is the one that contains Hannibal's invasion of Italy, crossing the Alps with an international army of mercenaries and a few African elephants. It's a story full of suspense, with the Romans being shoved against the wall of their own home, suffering disaster after disaster, and then overcoming the odds through sheer grit and composure. On the moral side of things, it is difficult not to feel inspired in one personal's life after reading this until the memory of it all fades away--a good reason for getting the prior or next instalment of Livy.
Rating:
- ExcellentI bought this book to help me with my Latin AS Level course - and that it certainly did! The translation (from a linguistic point of view) follows the real Latin very closely, making literal translations very easy, whilst making the text sensible and interesting. If you are studying Livy as part of your AQA AS Level Latin course, I highly recommend this book - even if the course will only be around until 2006!
Rating:
- A thoroughly gripping taleIt's surprising that more than a millennium after it was written, this history is still fascinating and as enjoyable to read as the most modern book. It explained many present day differences among Italians and gave me a strong sense of "place" that helps me enjoy more fully this 21st century Italy. I originally set out to discover what really happened at nearby Trasimeno, but found I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.
Rating:
- A good translation of an excellent bookI have always enjoyed the way Livy can bring characters to life and this book is no exception. The content is fascinating and this translation is very competent.
Rating:
- An Ancient Page-Turner!If you are faintly interested in Roman History, then you should really read this book. It may be over two thousand years old, but it is certainly still alive and kicking! It is chock full of fascinating characters, such as the central, one-eyed battle-hardened Hannibal himself but also all of the Romans who face him - the reckless Minucius, the headstrong Varro and the steadfast and all-knowing Quintus Fabias Maximus. The battle scenes are fascinating and often very exciting, whilst the story of the panic in Rome, including amongst the common Romans as well as the frenzied debates of the Senate, is no less absorbing. Livy also provides us with many fascinating snapshots of Roman religious beliefs and customs along with his military commentaries that to read it is to be transported back to Ancient Rome. The book may be a bit fat and dry sounding, but open it up and you will be pleasantly surprised. Enthralling and totally compelling.