I so enjoyed this book. As a former Israeli Army infantry solider, I think twice before reading books of a military nature, having been convinced through my own experience that nothing other than the battle field itself...particularly its topography and other features unique to it...can explain the way a battle unfolds. The problem with too many military histories is the failure of a book format in recreating the battle field...even with the help of diagrams. Because of his skillful use of prose, Gabriel overcomes this common difficulty. He deftly brings the attending circumstances of each battle into focus, with the help of simple, yet helpful diagrams, in addition to his highly readable prose.
Although the story of the Rome and her wars has been told so many times, there were so many little gems that I encountered for the first time. For example, although I thought I was familiar with the consular system of two governing consuls, I did not know that in battle, they alternated command between them every other day. That is just one of several fresh insights I got in the chapter on the nature of each side's armies. The closing section of that same chapter on the daily logistical requirements of the army and its pack/draft animals was also enlightening, and helped me understand more than ever why ancient armies required winter quarters, until the fields produced this much needed fodder again in the spring.
Additional pluses to this volume are Gabriel's judgement with regard to primary sources, neither entirely trusting them, nor entirely dismissing them, but falling somewhere in the sober middle ground. When a source's report seems doubtful, he offers several likely alternative scenarios, all of which are reasonably and convincingly argued. In addition to presenting the battles themselves, Gabriel does a great job presenting the political considerations of both Rome and Carthage throughout the war, as well as the internal intrigues, particularly between competing factions within the Roman aristocratic led senate. Although the author obviously admires Scipio, he presents a balanced image of him, including his strategic errors, such as his wasted siege of Utica on the African campaign, and his brutal putting down of Spanish insurgents. Consequently, his portrait of Scipio seems judicious. If at times it sounds amazing, it is not because of the author's own embellishments, but because the man, Scipio, seems to have been truly one of those rare individuals to attain to complete leadership skill set that is usually not found in one person. Within this context, Gabriel stresses that all the great generals of history were men who had undergone the best intellectual training/education that their times and cultures could provide them. That ultimately, only a fine-tuned intellect, distinguished by linear thinking---the ability to imagine the likely cause and effect of every possible scenario---in addition to daring, and the willingness to gamble, is what coverages in all great field commanders.
I can't believe someone gave this book only one star! This book was such a pleasure to read, that I will likely read it again sometime in the future!
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