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Best books on the Punic wars

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Huscarl (U1753368) on Thursday, 7th June 2007

  What are the most comprehensive books, which cover in detail the three Punic wars? Not just the usual main battles but also the minor skirmishes.
  
  I'm preferably wanting non-Roman but full detailed descriptions, maybe or maybe not with diagrams or images, of the battles and campaigns of these brutal struggles.
  
  Also, the Dacian wars if possible?
  
  Thanks,

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by RainbowFfolly (U3345048) on Thursday, 7th June 2007

  Hi Ironaxes,
  
  When I first saw the title of the thread you wouldn't believe how much I wanted to say Livy...
  
  I'm have to drop off a load of books at the Uni library tonight, so I'll have a look at what's in there. I'm sure I've seen one or two, so I'll grab them if they look OK and let you tomorrow or Monday what I thought of them.
  
  Cheers,
  
  
  RF

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• Message 3

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  Posted by Huscarl (U1753368) on Thursday, 7th June 2007

  Hi Rainbow
  
  Yeah I wondered if anyone had got Livy in mind initially?
  
  Thanks for that, I'll look forward to your 'reviews'.

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• Message 4

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  Posted by an ex-nordmann - it has ceased to exist (U3472955) on Thursday, 7th June 2007

  If you want to avoid ploughing through comparatively variant translations and interpretations of Livy, Polybius & Co, then Adrian Goldsworthy does it for you in his book. He tries valiantly not to make his account sound like a litany of battles, but I would criticise him only (and for this he can be forgiven) in that the book is an unashamedly 'Roman' perspective on events.
  
  Nigel Bagnall does a drier job but at least tries to put the Carthaginians in a perspective not defined simply by their misfortune to be 'paired' with the nascent Roman state. Absence of Carthaginian sources hampers both authors and you have to wonder therefore how much of Bagnall is conjecture when he presents events from the Carthaginian perspective, but at least he tries.
  
  JF Lazenby (I have only read his second book on the subject "Hannibal's War") is obsessed with detail but much of it is not what you might expect from someone who does admittedly see the Punic Wars in strictly military terms. His writing is the most readable of the three, but his reticence in citing source for some of his best bits is infuriating to say the least, if not questionable.

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• Message 5

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  Posted by RainbowFfolly (U3345048) on Friday, 8th June 2007

  Hi Ironaxes,
  
  I managed to get "Hannibal's War" by Lazenby (1978) that Nordmann mentioned. At first glance, I'd back up Nordmann's claim that the author is obssessed with detail. What I do like about the book is that there's a whole blank line between each paragraph - it makes it easier to pick information out, and looks, well... "nicer".
  
  I also picked up "The Punic Wars" by Brian Caven (1980). If Nordmann was frustrated by Lazenby's shortcomings in citing sources, then he won't be happy with this one as there's not a single note or footnote to be seen in the whole book! In the author's defence, his foreword does state that the book is intended for the general reader who has a taste for history, and it does look extremely readable. Oh, and his "Select Bibliography" lists Lazenby's book but explains it appeared too late to be consulted for his work.
  
  Cheers,
  
  
  RF

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• Message 6

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  Posted by Huscarl (U1753368) on Friday, 8th June 2007

  Great stuff fellas
  
  I'll look out for the Goldsworthy or the Lazenby books then! Also, I'll muddle through with the Dacian wars now that you've given me some useful pointers!
  
  Gimme anything on the 11thC and I'm into the nitty-gritty from memory even, but I'm a bit fuzzy on the Roman details, as you've probably guessed?
  
  Cheers

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