Hannibal /

First published in French in 1995, Lancel's new study forms a companion piece to his earlier Carthage (CH, Sep'95) and should remain for some time to come the best treatment in English focusing on Hannibal specifically. His narrative of the life of Hannibal, one of history's most notable generals and arguably Rome's most dangerous adversary, moves smoothly and quickly, unencumbered by lengthy digressions on points of controversy. Lancel (Univ. of Grenoble) does not shy away from thorny questions, such as Hannibal's route across the Alps. After noting points of contention, he succinctly presents his views in a reasoned and reasonable fashion and moves on. He argues strongly that Hannibal did not fight a personal war with Rome but prosecuted the struggle on his city's behalf, and that after Cannae he sought to establish a protectorate in south Italy as a prelude to the eventual recovery of Sicily, lost to Rome in the First Punic War. Eminently readable and with a chronological chart and maps, though lacking extensive documentation, Hannibal will appeal to readers at all levels. R. I. Curtis; University of Georgia