Hannibal Crosses the Alps: The Enigma Re-Examined [Hardcover]

John Prevas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1998

The discovery in this book is that Hannibal was misguided and took a path that would be considered treacherous even for Alpinists today.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Prevas is a senior lecturer Greek at Towson University and an avid Alpinist who has personally traced Hannibal's exact route as well as other possibilities suggested by the scholars over the years.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: Sarpedon Pub (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885119488
• ISBN-13: 978-1885119483
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,719,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read, September 27, 1999

By 

Gary Wall - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hannibal Crosses the Alps: The Enigma Re-Examined (Hardcover)

I like "Hannibal Crosses the Alps: The Enigma Re-Examined". Despite what the title of this book implies, it is as much about the historical context of the Roman/Carthaginian conflicts as it is about the myriad theories concerning the exact route Hannibal took through the Alps.

Unless you know who Hannibal was and what he did - and I dare say that most people who are products of our U.S. public school systems are ignorant of those facts - then discussing the possible routes that Hannibal took on his way to Rome would be dull reading indeed. So, quite sensibly, the author treats the reader with a very well written account of what we know about the Carthaginian civilization at that time, along with relevant details about the Romans. Did you know that the Carthaginians were Phoenician and practiced infanticide? I didn't.

All the major events of the three Punic wars are covered without getting bogged down with too many details. So I think most people will find this book a good read. However, in all likelihood those who already know the story of Hannibal will not learn anything new about this period of Roman history.

As for the author's theory that Hannibal crossed the Alps following the Drome River through the Traversette pass, all I can really say is that he's not only an expert in classical history but an Alpine climber to boot - a combination that to my mind allows John Prevas to write with a bit of authority on this matter. This particular route has been largely ignored by most scholars and after reading John Prevas' arguments, it should be taken as a very serious candidate.

For those looking for a readable introduction to Hannibal spiced with some unique detective work, this book cannot be beat.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ancient History Revived, February 15, 2001

By 

Neal Tullos (Waldorf, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hannibal Crosses the Alps: The Enigma Re-Examined (Hardcover)

I am writing as a high school Latin student of John Prevas and his work is nothing short of impressive. The thorough retelling of Hannibal Barca's trek against the Romans is brought to vivid life with deep explanations and descriptive text. It all starts with a Trojan prince deserting his woman and a historic lust for revenge to be fought for throughout the course of the three Punic Wars. Such a suspenseful history is elucidated with betrayals, ambushes, retreats, murders, chases and so much more. One can't help but admire the transformation and development of the Roman and Carthaginian worlds as they wait for each other. You will see the organization of some ragtag mercenaries and lower class Carthaginian turn into the greatest fighting force graced by ancient history. This very force is the one that eventually descended from the Alps to assault the Romans on their own land. Stories are cross-examined from ancient manuscripts and the author's own personal travels over the passages he recounts. This is a compelling, addictive book of marvelous composition. I definitely recommend this work to anyone interested in the era or even those who wish to learn of the amazing feats of one of the greatest war tacticians of all time. Enjoy!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic book, October 2, 2000

By 

"toddf" (Santa Clara, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hannibal Crosses the Alps: The Enigma Re-Examined (Hardcover)

I just finished reading this book over the weekend, and I have to say that I was enthralled - I could hardly put the book down. I am not terribly knowledgable about this era in history, so I found the background, timeline, and cast of characters to be extremely useful (and entertaining).

My only, very minor, gripe about the book (and what keeps me from giving it 5 stars) is that it needed more maps. I had to use an atlas to gain a better understanding of the text. While not bad in itself, trying to reconcile the ancient names with the modern ones was distracting, and trying to pick through a detailed map took too much time. I was most of the way through chapter VI before I came to the one map of routes through the Alps that was included - references to this one as well as more maps would have also been useful.

However, I still HIGHLY recommend this book.