Review: Rousing and entertaining history!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 12, 2012
I usually write reviews of military history based on a number of criteria.Accuracy: No problems here. I am no expert historian but the historical facts represented here coincide with other accounts of the first Punic War I have read and are backed up by a number of references and postscripts that are intelligently and unobtrusively placed after each chapter. This was seriously well researched. The fictional characters (would have liked to have been told for sure who these were) inter-related well with the known actual historical figures.Descriptions: Top quality accounts of the lives, struggles and a genuine feel for the hardships of life in this era. The political and religious powers and their conflicts to gain popular control of the masses are also well presented. The harsh punishment for failure as a Carthaginian general does make one wonder why more Carthaginians didn't just stick to the mainline commerce that Carthage built it's power on, rather than soldiery.Characters: Do I care for them and their fates? Most definitely! The heroes are charming, resourceful, faithful and loyal and the villains are thoroughly boo-worthy. This book is extremely strong in filling out personalities, exposing flaws and creating a desire to see how each survives, or falls.Action: Battles scenes on land and sea are clearly and entertainingly described and there is enough "blood 'n guts" to satisfy most followers of this genre. I was able to follow most of the battleground tactics and manouvres more successfully than is sometimes the case in similar books. Top points for this one!Feelgood factor: I finished the book very happy to have shared the author's efforts. Looking forward very much to reading more of his historical novels. I am unlikely to delve into his SF work though. Just me!Negatives?: Just a small complaint about a number (not a great number) of annoying miss-spellings that always somehow seemed to confuse. The enemy made an effective "blockage" (instead of "blockade"). Her cheeks showed signs of "rogue" (instead of "rouge"). Even "thought" I had supported him (instead of "though"). Not a ball-buster though as far as enjoyment was concerned.Comes at the decent Kindle price and also comes very highly recommended.