Hannibal Barca’s vices and virtues, his bravery and cruelty, are explored in this biography. This revised edition, one of four in the “A Wicked History” series, is a good survey of Hannibal’s childhood as one of the sons of the greatest Carthaginian general during that time, his training as a soldier, his rise as a military leader, his many years at war, and his downfall. This volume gives readers an idea of Hannibal’s brilliant and ingenious war strategies and tactics—still studied today, more than two thousand years after his death. The book begins with a world map during Hannibal’s time showing key events and places, and a web of his family, allies, enemies, and various groups of fighters at the time. Colored and detailed pictures of historical figures, drawings, and paintings, accompany the story, though depictions of Hannibal as a fair-skinned man contradict Brooks’ description of him as a possibly dark-skinned person from North Africa. The book consists of four sections, with three to six chapters in each part that signify different stages of Hannibal’s life. Each part begins with questions for readers to consider as they progress through the chapters. The end of the book includes writings from ancient historians that allow for a different perspective of Hannibal. Supplemental project ideas extend the reading and make use of social media, though some of the ideas allow for deeper analysis than others. Also helpful are profiles of historical figures mentioned, a timeline of Hannibal’s life, and a glossary of the terms that appear in the book. Finally, a list of books with more information about Hannibal’s life, the wars he fought, and the Roman Empire, with brief descriptions of each book, is included. This title provides a fascinating read about one of history’s most famous warriors. Reviewer: Ann L. Kreske; Ages 12 up.
