The Young Carthaginian: A Story of the Times of Hannibal (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A historical novel set during the times of Hannibal and the Punic Wars between Carthage and Rome. An adventure story that describes the campaigns of Hannibal in Iberia, Gaul, Cisalpine Gaul and at Rome's doorstep through the experiences of a young Carthaginian noble.

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.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 430 pages
• Publisher: Lost Classics Book Company (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890623016
• ISBN-13: 978-1890623012
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #366,283 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Admirable hero and his hairbreadth escapes!, August 8, 2002

By	S. Brand "sandra807" (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Who would have thought that a book written in the 1800s could be so appealing today? Doing a little internet research, I have found that G.A. Henty lived from 1832-1902, and the books he wrote were historical fiction "for boys". He was called "The Prince of Story-Tellers" and "The Boy's Own Historian", which certainly may have been true, but I'm an adult female who loved this tale! The style of writing sounds a little formal and old-fashioned, but it actually helps create a feeling of antiquity, appropriate for its ancient setting during the Punic Wars.

The fictional and lovable hero, Marchus, a relative of the famous Hannibal, accompanies him on the Carthaginian campaign against Rome. I learned so much about Hannibal through this book, yet the majority of the plot involves other adventures that Marchus gets into. He has near escapes from bears, wolves, lions, treacherous tribesmen. In two instances, he escapes with the help of an elephant, and a raft in the subterranean reservoir of Carthage. This was fun stuff, and I am so impressed that this book I found, that is so old it doesn't even have a publication date in it, could be so delightful. Someone could make a great movie out of this!

15 of 15 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.

21 of 23 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)

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!