Hannibal's Children

Midwest Book Review

A fascinating alternate history novel...The Reader is immersed in the culture of Rome.

Publishers Weekly

What would have happened if Hannibal had received the reinforcements necessary for him to topple the Roman Empire? That fascinating "what if" is the central premise of Roberts's (the SPQR series) latest historical novel, which begins with the arrival of Philip V of Macedon and his formidable army at a pivotal point in the series of wars between Carthage and Rome, allowing the brilliant Hannibal to force a surrender in which the Romans are driven north out of Italy. Fast-forward a hundred years: the Romans are plotting their revenge against Hannibal's progeny, starting with a trade mission-cum-military espionage expedition led by Marcus Scipio. Scipio does a thorough job of sizing up the capabilities of the Carthaginians before leaving behind his rival, Titus Norbanus, to manage that situation in Carthage while he embarks on a similar expedition to Egypt. He then plans an ingenious series of maneuvers to retake Italy, pitting the Carthaginians against the Egyptians while manipulating both the queen of Egypt and Hannibal's heir, Hamilcar II, before a series of dramatic battles that feature the innovative war technology of the era. Roberts occasionally gets bogged down in military minutiae and cultural rituals, but his portraits of the various leaders and rivals are first-rate and his knowledge of the period is unassailable. He does an admirable job of navigating through a difficult and challenging conceit, providing plenty of reflective material for history buffs while constructing an intriguing story line that pays tribute to the ingenuity of the Romans. (May) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Just over a century after the triumphant army of Carthage expelled the Romans from Italy, the children of those exiled Roman families launch a campaign to reclaim their heritage. A small diplomatic delegation led by young commander Marcus Scipio enters the Carthaginian capital and meets with the descendants of the legendary Hannibal, the priestess Zarabel, and her brother and rival, Hamilcar II, forging relations that initiate unforeseen consequences for Carthaginians and Romans alike. The author of The King's Gambit and The Catiline Conspiracy provides a well-researched and vivid alternate history of the rivalry between Rome and Carthage. Recommended for most sf and general fiction collections. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Midwest Book Review

“A fascinating alternate history novel...The Reader is immersed in the culture of Rome.”

Booklist Booklist

"Mastering the details of later republican Roman life,
Roberts builds a very convincing alternate Rome, full of in
triguing characters who pose readers the fun of figuring out
their real-life counterparts."

Library Journal

“The author of THE KING’S GAMBIT and THE CATILINE CONSPIRACY provides a well-researched and vivid alternate history of the rivalry between Rome and Carthage.”

Publisher's Weekly

"First-rate, intriguing … John Maddox Roberts … proves that he's perfectly at home in the urban sprawl of ancient Rome … He does an admirable job of navigating through a difficult and challenging conceit, providing plenty of reflective material for history buffs while constructing an intriguing story line that pays tribute to the ingenuity of the Romans.”

Science Fiction Chronicle

"Exciting, provocative, and entertaining … This is far and away the best book I've read by Roberts."