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A Greater Than Napoleon, Scipio Africanus
In A Greater Than Scipio Africanus, the renowned military historian Basil Henry Liddell Hart resurrects one of antiquity's greatest commanders — the Roman general who defeated Hannibal and reshaped the art of war. With penetrating insight and masterful clarity, Liddell Hart traces the meteoric rise of Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, the man whose brilliance at Zama ended the Second Punic War and secured Rome's ascendancy over the Mediterranean world.
This is far more than a biography; it is a study in leadership, strategy, and genius. Liddell Hart dissects Scipio's campaigns with the trained eye of a modern strategist, revealing how his innovations in mobility, intelligence, and morale anticipated the principles of twentieth-century warfare. He argues — with daring conviction — that Scipio was the first truly scientific general, whose humane discipline and understanding of psychology made him "greater than Napoleon." Through vivid storytelling and meticulous analysis, the author draws enduring lessons from the battlefields of Carthage and Iberia, showing how the mind of one Roman shaped the doctrines of armies two thousand years later.
Written in Liddell Hart's signature lucid prose, A Greater Than Napoleon stands as both military history and moral meditation — a portrait of a commander who balanced audacity with restraint, intellect with mercy. It remains a cornerstone work for historians, soldiers, and readers fascinated by the timeless interplay between character and command.
This is far more than a biography; it is a study in leadership, strategy, and genius. Liddell Hart dissects Scipio's campaigns with the trained eye of a modern strategist, revealing how his innovations in mobility, intelligence, and morale anticipated the principles of twentieth-century warfare. He argues — with daring conviction — that Scipio was the first truly scientific general, whose humane discipline and understanding of psychology made him "greater than Napoleon." Through vivid storytelling and meticulous analysis, the author draws enduring lessons from the battlefields of Carthage and Iberia, showing how the mind of one Roman shaped the doctrines of armies two thousand years later.
Written in Liddell Hart's signature lucid prose, A Greater Than Napoleon stands as both military history and moral meditation — a portrait of a commander who balanced audacity with restraint, intellect with mercy. It remains a cornerstone work for historians, soldiers, and readers fascinated by the timeless interplay between character and command.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2025
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January 8, 2026
Scipio is a greater Cincinnatus, after repelling Rome’s greatest adversary, Carthage, who invaded and was taking their land, fighting a war for peace and succeeding, triumphing over the generals that defeated his grandfather and father, he refused statues being built of him, refused being made a permanent dictator by the people, took care of his allies, delaying his own rewards, and dealt with enemies justly, only using violence when necessary and as a means to an end of greater peace. All ending at the age of 35. His 50 years of peace with Carthage only ended due to jealous and zealous old politicians in the Roman senate.
Dude seems like an all around decent guy, especially considering his era, and someone you can aspire to emulate, which is refreshing. The author doesn’t hide his bias though.
Dude seems like an all around decent guy, especially considering his era, and someone you can aspire to emulate, which is refreshing. The author doesn’t hide his bias though.
Displaying 1 of 1 review