The Young Carthaginian, A Story of the Times of Hannibal (Works of G. A. Henty) [Library Binding]

G.A Henty (Author), Preston/Speed Publications (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Works of G. A. Henty | Publication Date: June 1997

Boys reading the history of the Punic Wars have seldom a keen appreciation of the merits of the contest. That it was at first a struggle for empire, and afterwards for existence on the part of Carthage, that Hannibal was a great and skillful general, that he defeated the Romans at Trebia, Lake Trasimenus, and Cannae, and all but took Rome, represents pretty nearly the sum total of their knowledge. To let them know more about this momentous struggle for the empire of the world Mr. Henty has written this story, which not only gives in graphic style a brilliant description of a more interesting period of history, but is a tale of exciting adventure sure to secure the interest of the reader.--- 12 illustrations, Special Foreward by J. Steven Wilkins

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

G. A. Henty's has here woven an exciting adventure tale that will keep the young reader on the edge of his seat while, without being aware of it, the reader will be learning detailed information about the Punic Wars and the political climate in which they took place. This is the perfect way to awaken interest in history in young people and encourage them to learn more.

This book has also been enhanced with additional illustrations and new maps to aid the reader in the understanding of the text.

Recommended for Ages 10 and up. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Lost Classics is proud to bring you another of G. A. Henty's adventure stories for boys. Henty wrote his first book for young people in 1868. Its popularity spawned some eighty more. This is the third Henty novel on the Lost Classics list. Writing in World magazine George Grant reminisced about reading Henty as a child: "Whenever I ran across (a Henty book) in our local library I quickly checked it out, rushed home, and read itusually without putting it down."

The Young Carthaginian is a departure from the first two Henty books on the Lost Classics list. Set in ancient times during the Punic wars between Carthage and Rome, it follows the adventures of young Malchus, an officer in Hannibal's army. Henty describes the army's incredible journey crossing the Alps in fascinating detail providing both a lesson in ancient history and a can't-put-it-down story.

An exciting excerpt from The Young Carthaginian:

"After lying for a couple of hours Malchus rose to his feet, and issuing from the bushes looked round. He had resumed his armor and sword. As he stepped out a sudden shout arose, and he saw within a hundred yards of him a body of natives, some hundred strong, approaching. They had already caught sight of him.

"'Nessus,' he exclaimed, without looking round, 'lie still! I am seen, and shall be taken in a minute. It is hopeless for me to try to escape. You will do me more good by remaining hid and trying to free me from their hands afterward.'

"So saying, and without drawing his sword, Malchus quietly advanced toward the natives, who were rushing down toward him with loud shouts. Flight or resistance would be, as he had at once seen, hopeless, and it was only by present submission he could hope to save his life."

Valuable Bonus for Homeschoolers--Includes a Build-Your-Vocabulary Glossary of some 501 words. Each word is cross-referenced with its page number so children can easily go back and see how it is used in the story.

Other G. A Henty Books Available from Lost Classics Book Company: With Lee in Virginia & A Tale of the Western Plains --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding: 375 pages
• Publisher: Preston/Speed Publications (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887159126
• ISBN-13: 978-1887159128
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,825 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings ancient history to life, February 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Young Carthaginian, A Story of the Times of Hannibal (Works of G. A. Henty) (Library Binding)

Everyone, it seems, has heard of Hannibal bringing his army,including the elephants,through the Alps, right to the doorstep of Rome. However, a readable account of Carthage vs. Rome is not easy to find. I've been very happy to find this fascinating historical novel as the best way to teach my two sons, ages 11 and 14, about this time in history. There are some valuable lessons for us all in the book--valor, honor, and how corruption destroys great nations.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to ancient history, March 19, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Young Carthaginian, A Story of the Times of Hannibal (Works of G. A. Henty) (Library Binding)

The Young Carthaginian deserves more than five stars. The adventures of Malchus, a young Carthaginian noble through the streets of Carthage, rugged mountain ridges, the thick forests of Sardinia, and finally, Rome, keep us on the edge of our seats until the end of the book. It is like an adventure novel more than a history novel, but when we finish the book, we realize that we have learned a lot about the wars between Carthage and Rome without taking the usual pains we have as we use monotonous books.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Historical Fiction from a Very Different Time, December 1, 2001

By 

John Knight "JK" (Davis, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Young Carthaginian (Paperback)

G.A. Henty was a Victorian gentleman who wrote historical fiction for young people. I learned of him in reading Arthur Schlesinger's autobiography "A Life in the Twentieth Century". Schlesinger credits Henty with awakening an interst in history that was to last a lifetime. I see why. Henty's approach is to imagine a young lad and thrust him into interesting historical periods. The young man possessed of courage, pluck, honesty and compassion finds these attributes necessary to his success in the novel. Much like the Horatio Alger novels of a somewhat later American time, Henty was also conciously teaching the manly virtues. In "The Young Cathaginian" Henty pulls off a slick trick. Our young hero Malchus is a relative of Hannibal the great Cartaginian general who dared to cross the Alps to attack Carthage's great rival, Rome. While Henty admires Hannibal and presents Malchus as virtually flawless, it is clear that Carthage was a corrupt entity and that her deserved defeat was crucial to the growth of Western civilization. This is not a dry history, merely laden with moral overlays. It is also good fun. There is a lion hunt in Africa. A wolf hunt in the Spanish mountains. Escapes through the underground reserviors of Carthage. And countless vivid battles. And a charming little romance. I am glad I stumbled across the Henty output. Sclesinger is right: Henty makes history fun!