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Scipio Africanus Paperback – March 31, 2004

by B. H. Liddell Hart (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 571 ratings
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Scipio Africanus (236-183 B.C.) was one of the most exciting and dynamic leaders in history. As commander he never lost a battle. Yet it is his adversary, Hannibal, who has lived on in the public memory, due mostly to his daring march through the Alps with his elephants. At the Battle of the Ticinus, Hannibal's initial encounter with Roman arms, young Scipio first tasted warfare, rescuing his dangerously wounded, encircled father, who was also the Roman commander. By nineteen Scipio was the equivalent of a staff colonel and in 210 B.C. he was placed in supreme command. In three years he destroyed Carthaginian power in Spain and, after being made consul, took his forces to Africa, where he conquered Carthage's great ally, Syphax. Two years later he clashed with Hannibal himself, annihilating his army in the decisive Battle of Zama. For this triumph and his other exploits in the Punic Wars, Scipio was awarded the title Africanus.In his fascinating portrait of this extraordinary commander, B. H. Liddell Hart writes, "The age of generalship does not age, and it is because Scipio's battles are richer in stratagems and ruses -- many still feasible today -- than those of any other commander in history that they are an unfailing object lesson." Not only military enthusiasts and historians but all those interested in outstanding men will find this magnificent study absorbing and gripping.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    303 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Da Capo Press
  4. Publication date
    March 31, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    5.45 x 1.55 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0306813637
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0306813634
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Captain Basil Henry Liddell Hart (1895-1970) was one of the foremost military theorists of our time. His many books include Scipio Africanus, Lawrence of Arabia, The Rommel Papers, and Sherman (all available from Da Capo Press).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Da Capo Press; First Edition (March 31, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 303 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0306813637
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0306813634
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.45 x 1.55 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 571 ratings

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Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
571 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Terryl
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good if Somewhat Hagiographic
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2022
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Published in 1922, this work by BH Liddell Hart is a detailed and very informative work on Scipio Africanus. Hart's attention to detail (drawing upon Polybius and Livy) demonstrates the great skill that Scipio had not only in handling troops but in his strategic planning and even in his diplomacy. He sets a high bar for himself in saying that Scipo was "greater than Napoleon." What he does do is demonstrate that Scripio deserves to be in the first rank of Roman generals. Actually, Hart argues that Scipio was the greatest general in history although he never directly says it. He compares Scipio with ancient and modern commanders in various aspect of generalship. It is an interesting, if somewhat controversial, comparison. I say the book is hagiographic because Hart gives Scipio every benefit of the doubt and lavishes praise on him. The excess praise was not necessary. He demonstrates the greatness of Scipio in the book.

Well worth reading.
5 people found this helpful
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Carl Reddick
5.0 out of 5 stars Best General ... Ever
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2007
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OK. Here's the deal. Author B.H.Liddell Hart was writing in 1925, just after the carnage of the first world war. His comparisons, in themselves, are very interesting as he is familiar with Wellington, Marlbourogh, and yes Napolean as he compares their skills to Scipio Africanus. This is a great history and a great read. For those of us middlebrow armchair Roman history buffs this telling of the Spanish and African campaign really hits the spot. Author Hart is not afraid to give his opinion and he has an extremely high opinion of Scipio. I never found the book to drag, from the opening chapters where the 20 year old Scipio heads to Spain to avenge the death of his uncle and his father to the final push at Zuma. There is even the bonus of the polictical shunning by the Roman senate and then the last campaign in the far reaches of 'Asia' (Syria).... Scipio Africanus is probably the true father of Rome as an empire and this book is a home run winner in style, content, and enjoyment, even if it is nearly 100 years old. (See all my reviews if you like Greco-Roman history)
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Jason S. Taylor
4.0 out of 5 stars Rome's Staff
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2009
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A staff is a crude impliment. But it props the crippled up. As the author points out other great warriors compared themselves to a scourge. The word Scipio however means staff. And Scipio held Rome up in her time of need.

It is the unfortunate habit of many to prefer charisma over character. Forgetting that charisma can be as easily used for evil means as good. Scipio had charisma. But he also had character. While other "Great Captains" fought for their own vanity, Scipio fought to defend his home. He was exempler of an old principal that is to often forgotten; that it is great to be a servant and Scipio was a warrior who was content to put his skill-at-arms at his countries service. His biography is seldom given which is unfortunate, for he is a great lesson to learn from. And here Mr Hart gives the biography.

The biography is written by a professional strategist. And as it happens one who had an ax to grind in bureaucratic politics. This shows through in his writting but it can also provide insights. The book sounds remarkably like a lecture series at Sandhurst, and those who wish can imagine the writer pontificating in a classroom while they read.

The writer's prejudices come forth. It is very much literary "triumph" to Scipio. Which isn't so bad. Except in his effort to praise his hero the author constantly harps on the utter worthlessness of Everyone Who Is Not Scipio. Which is rather ironic is that the very thing that makes Scipio worthy of praise in the author's(and this reviewer's) eyes is that Scipio was a team player who fought for his country not for his own personal fame.

Aside from these criticisms the book is quite worthy of reading. It does not show epic battle pieces and the like; after all it is written by an intellectual soldier. It does however show Scipio's career and gives insight into his campaigns. It is a short book but a worthy one about a man who deserves to be better known.
6 people found this helpful
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Ryan Steenson
5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Greater Than Napoleon
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024
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During his lifetime, B. H. Liddell Hart lamented that Hannibal is more likely to be remembered than his principal rival, even though that rival ultimately won. Ironically, neither character is remembered the same way they once were. Fortunately, because of the author, it is possible to remember the greatest Roman general with the same clarity that one could remember Hannibal. They were enemies, but they each saw each other as worthy opponents. Highly recommend.
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Craig Shirley
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book so far
Reviewed in Canada on May 24, 2022
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The copy that came was not he cover posted. I got another one, but it's ok. To be honest I like the cover I got just as much.
Its a great read so far, have a hard time putting it down nightly.
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Jose Garcia
5.0 out of 5 stars No sé si más grande que Napoleón, pero sin duda el más grande romano.
Reviewed in Mexico on January 16, 2021
Verified Purchase
Un libro de pasta dura, papel grueso y tinta algo clara, la portada parece que tiene poco y nada que ver con el contenido pero algo acierta.
El libro en si ofrece conocimientos impresionantes de la vida de Escipion, te pone en perspectiva y poco a poco Lidell Hart hace que te enamores de aquel que se llamó Africanus.
Debe tomarse con cuidado por ser un libro antiguo (de los 20's) pero el conocimiento en en su mayoría certero y la visión. Que ofrece el autor, es magnífica.
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Ilan
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on a great general.
Reviewed in India on December 1, 2021
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I was looking for books on Strategy after reading Szun Tzu's Art of War. Many google searches later I decided to read this book. Without wasting your time, let me say what you should know.
-You will be able to learn many lessons from Scipio's life. For one, I found his benevolent attitude towards the defeated side to be humane and one that will benefit his country in the future.
-I found the English a little bit hard to understand. But this is entirely my opinion.
So go for it. If you strategy interests you.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Top
Reviewed in Spain on June 4, 2019
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Angie
5.0 out of 5 stars Blown away
Reviewed in Australia on June 10, 2020
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I have now read this book three times from cover to cover. It’s such a great book on Scipio Africanus. Some say it is biased. But the truth about what happened in his life might never be known, so we can only speculate. If this speculation is biased towards Scipio, hey, that suits me fine as I am a big fan of this magnificent general.
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