Hannibal, Scipio and the Emergence of Rome

by Adolf af Jochnick

This book relates Hannibal's campaign against the Roman Republic beginning in 218 BC in which he crossed the Alps with a big force including elephants. The book also covers Scipio Africanus's campaigns in Spain and North Africa and the ultimate confrontation between Carthage and Rome at Zama in 201 BC. There are also descriptions of the history and characteristics of Carthage and Rome and the reasons that Rome emerged as the dominant power in the Mediterranean.

168 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2020

Reviews

[Christina King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book was an experience I really enjoyed. Everything that happened in it stuck in my head the whole time. It’s hard to believe at first but the thought of it just gives me chills every time I read them. I still don’t get why some people are sleeping on this one. You’ll see that it is the best book on the shelf and you will appreciate its beauty if you dedicate your time to it.

It’s going to bring you back in time in the most amazing way. The author had a very good take on the history of the Roman Empire and the people behind its supremacy. Hannibal, a very intellectual and experienced general commander, thought of attacking Rome because of Rome’s hostility towards him. He was successful in many battles and was able to expand his dominance to Iberia and Italy and to the North of Africa. But still, his campaign against Rome isn’t enough until Scipio put an end to his campaign in their battle in Zama.

I love this book. The author evoked suspense and thrill. Reading this book is a whole new experience.

[Paisley Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book that would blow your mind away with its vivid, honest and thrilling account of ancient civilization, I’m sure this book is just right for you. The author has a unique way of telling history, it never gets old. Without a doubt, this book is going to change your point of view of the events of the past.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy the life of Hannibal and his campaign against Rome. He never gets satisfied after the many battles he won. I’m not really sure what drove him to declare an all-out war on Rome, but I believe that he was trying to unite Europe at that time and expand its territory but failed in doing so. Their last battle in Zama put an end to his deadly campaign. I’m glad it did because if it weren’t so, more lives could have been killed by then.

[Macy Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is sad to note that even during the ancient times, wealth means power. In Carthaginian society, the young men preferred to pursue a career in commerce instead of military service in order to amass wealth. The wealthy Aristocratic Party dominated the Senate. Due to greediness however, the Senate failed to give the financial support for their own Carthaginian army and Commander Hamilcar Barca no matter how competent he was. Meanwhile, in the early days of the Roman Republic, it was also the well-to-do landowners or the patricians who were in power.

This made me realize how wealth will always be synonymous with power, and if you desire power, it is one of the best ways to get there. As a society, however, it is important to provide opportunities for everyone to be financially stable so we can minimize that abuse of power by the wealthy. Or adopt a form of government where the masses can elect officials based on competence and not wealth. In the case of Carthage, their Senate's greediness caused them problems with international trade relations.

The insights I gathered from this book are valuable not only on a personal level but more so at a societal level of the common good.

[Marry Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally impressed at how Af Jochnick managed to record the account not in a subjective manner but in an objective way. This is how stories should be told.

You don’t have to be a historian or a history buff to appreciate this book. The lessons, the knowledge, and more were very profound and engaging. I’m sure you're going to love every bit of it. The author just delivered them in a very humorous way while maintaining the authenticity of the events.

The three battles of Hannibal really captured my attention. His first battle with Rome when he crossed the Alps was very exciting and marvelous. I couldn’t imagine how he managed to bring his troops and animals to cross over the huge mountains and travel the distance. Secondly, I was totally impressed by the Second Punic War that lasted from 218 BC to 201 BC fought between Carthage and Rome, the two main powers of the western Mediterranean. The two fought for supremacy in Italy and Iberia as well as the islands of Sicily and Sardinia and towards North Africa. Finally, I was dumbstruck by the battle in Zama where Hannibal and Scipio clashed and where Hannibal finally surrendered his troops. The author just delivered the story very well. Much respect to the writer of this book. I wish him well.

[Thomas Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book never ceases to amaze me. The Second Punic War was one of the highlights of the history of Rome and the author did a great job in narrating everything. It was intricately detailed and you could see that he wrote with knowledge and style, keeping the story informative and engaging.

Crossing the Alps was almost impossible. But he knew exactly what to do - bringing in cavalry with great horses trained to withstand heavy load and young men trained to this position. Because of this, they became successful in invading the Roman infantry. But the story did not end there. I was almost amazed at how quick Scipio was able to come up with a counter attack. He knew that it takes time to replace the losses, so he took advantage of it. But Hannibal wasn’t ready to give up just yet. Learning that he was outnumbered, he recruited other troops to join his fight for the price of money, women, gold, sex and more. For almost 2 decades of battles, not a single loss from Hannibal.

I love how the author puts everything into place. He considered all different angles of the story and came up with his own version, always better than the others. There was still actually a lot going on in this book, but I’ll leave that to the readers to find out about and be amazed.

[Aaron Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional book that exposes the realities of the past. I absolutely love every bit of it.
Although there were so many significant events that happened in the past, this book focused on Hannibal’s campaign against the Roman Republic. It began in 2018 BC where he crossed the Alps despite all the impossibilities. His experience and knowledge in battle made him unique from other warriors. Many have attempted crossing the Alps, but because of the inhabitants' stronger force, they were driven back and only Hannibal made a successful feat. However, that was just the beginning. His fame became known to other neighboring countries. Over time, he was able to fortify his soldiers. Every battle was successful, and no matter where he goes, glory would follow. But his golden years didn’t last for a long time. Scipio, a well-known and experienced commander, defeated him in the end. I totally enjoyed their rivalry. This book is action-filled and there’s a lot to learn. I commend the author for writing such a very informative and engaging book to revisit the past. I highly recommend this one.

[Joe Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could this be the next number one selling book in the market? This is an awe-inspiring story that depicts integrity, loyalty, and courage. Hannibal’s conquest through Iberia, Sicily and through the northern parts of Africa was one of the greatest and most intense stories of the past told by one of the most prolific authors in the most fascinating manner. This book is a complete package of knowledge and thrill.

This is the harsh reality of the world today. This world was born from blood and sweat. We may enjoy the present, but it’s undeniably heartbreaking looking back at what the people of the ancient times did to give us the freedom that we now enjoy. Supremacy and dominion was the greatest driving force to diminish other people. Religion was supposed to be humanitarian, but Hannibal twisted religion into murder, thinking that what they are doing is pleasing to their gods. Sacrificing babies and burning them was total insanity. This book gives the most profound lessons of life and that is to be grateful for what you have now no matter how little it is. Contentment is key to a peaceful life.

[Wyatt Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A profound and exciting book for delving into the past events that happened with the Roman Republic sometime in 509 BC. This book is going to give you the thrill and excitement on the glory that was Rome.

I totally enjoyed the read and I wanna say kudos to the author for writing in a very engaging manner. I was deeply fascinated with how well the author described the different wars during this time period, especially the Punic War headed by Hannibal. Although it was written in the book that his hatred with Rome wasn’t clear, I believed that he was jealous of the success of Rome. And Hannibal became successful in his plans with Rome. He was able to strengthen his armies as the wealth of Carthage increased by the year 500 BC. I could say that Hannibal was such a great leader and warrior. His intellectual strength is one of a kind that there was a time where no country could match his power. This was such a very intense read and I must say that many would be fascinated by the author’s writing.

[Javier Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, this is a great book for history enthusiasts and students. It is complete with maps, footnotes, references, and illustrations. You could really see that this was not haphazardly done. The author dedicated his time and effort to craft every bit of the history of the emergence of Rome and the people behind its dominion.

As history foretold, Rome became one of the most resilient empires of all time which also lasted longer than any of the previous kingdoms. This is a story that will reveal the secrets of the past and how one empire could become superior to the other. The unnerving and endless battles as they tried to unite Europe were complete bloodshed. Hannibal, being one of Rome's greatest enemies, even though he was successful in conquering other nations like Iberia and Sicily, still couldn’t get his hands on the Roman Empire. Anyhow, you’ll be amazed at how he managed to become one of the greatest commander generals during his time. This book is very profitable to students and researchers. It deals with great knowledge of the past.

[Rebecca Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the future holds has always been a matter of deep interest to world leaders and their subjects. Proud monarchs cherished the ambition to expand their kingdom to the uttermost ends of the world in the hopes of establishing security for their kingdoms forever. This book has a very perfect say on what history has in store for us.

It gives us profound lessons that the path to greed and pride always ends up in humiliation. And just like Hannibal, though he has been recognized as one of the greatest commanders, I consider him as a ruthless leader. He went on battles, rampaging soldiers and innocent people just to achieve his vain ambition. Bloodshed and wars could have been avoided, just saying. I love how the author unequivocally reported all the accounts of the history. It offers great lessons for today's generation. Peace could have been achieved sooner if he had respected the Roman Empire’s statutes. If I were to choose between Hannibal and Scipio, I’d prefer the latter. If it wasn’t for Scipio, there could have been no peace in the end. I definitely recommend this book.

[Zachary Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there’s one book that covers the complete history of the emergence of Rome, I must say that it is this book. It’s a great resource for students who wish to discover the events of the past and for anyone who loves action and battles. This book is perfect!

The way the author wrote the story makes your heart pound faster. He was able to deliver the thrill and excitement I was looking for. The sequence of events from the time Rome was still young until it reigned supreme all throughout the western Mediterranean. Hannibal was successful in his siege in 219 BC where he captured the pro-Roman city of Saguntum which prompted a Roman declaration of war on Carthage. Hannibal was able to surprise the Romans with his dominance in Iberia, through the mountains of Alps and to Italy. Their unnerving battles were marked by a lot of bloodshed and killings. It wasn’t glorious scenery for me, but a mere annihilation driven by greed and hunger for power. I love the honesty and on-point take by the author on history.

[Gerald Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve got a lot to say about this book. As soon as I read the first chapter, it slowly became my favorite. This book will keep you going and totally engaged. It showed me how the past really affected the present.

Two great powers, Rome and Carthage, struggled to overthrow each other. Their rivalry molded the history of the past and shaped trade and industry. Business became one of the most significant things that connected other countries before. However, because of greed and pride, unity was never achieved. Hannibal, one of the greatest commanders, campaigned against Rome because of Rome’s hostility. Navigation and exploration could have been done peacefully but people’s avarice prevailed. As a result, many lives were lost, battles that could have been avoided happened, innocent lives were killed, and a lot suffered from the aftermath.

I could say that Af Jochnick is a great writer. He wrote with passion and intensity. It gives the reader a new perspective on what really happened before. Complete with references and footnotes, this book is a great source of knowledge.

[Andrea Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

The battle of supremacy in the western Mediterranean became one of the most significant events that happened in the past. Two great kingdoms battle for power and glory, namely the Roman Empire and Carthage.

Their rivalry grew even bitter through conquering other kingdoms in the hopes of expanding its territory. From Iberia to Sicily to the North of Africa, the hunger for power was imminent. Hannibal strengthened its forces, ready to attack Rome. However, Rome had always been resilient. The presence of Scipio also solidified Rome’s power. Their tactics in battle were very impressive showing very good use of resources and intellectual knowledge. It’s like playing chess, the first to conquer the King wins. However, during the latter game, even though Carthage, with the leadership of Hannibal, fortified its troops, they were still outsmarted by Scipio. And it was a victory for the Roman Empire, but at what cost? This book is going to introduce you to the wonders of the battle for supremacy. A great book to read about history!

[Hannah Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s scary to learn about history sometimes. One of the things that really bothered me the most was the cruelty of the past civilization. The battles of supremacy that ended in slaying one another, destroying other kingdoms, offering babies, and sacrificing them for their gods were very ruthless and brutal. Though the trading and business system before were worth mentioning, it wasn’t enough to justify the evils that encompassed the dark reality of before.

Hannibal was a great warrior but was never a good citizen. He never respected others’ laws and statutes especially in Rome even though he was defeated. Anyhow, we can’t change the past but surely there’s something that we can do now and for the future. It’s a great book to make us realize that peace is very important. Sometimes, we just take it for granted. But let’s remember and not forget about our past histories. These serve as our guide, not to commit the same mistakes again. A big thank you to the author for writing this book.

[William Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate this book. With its enticing and authentic take to the events of the past, it is more than worth the read.

I totally appreciate the factual accounts that the author made throughout the book. You could see that the author does not jump to conclusions but also considers other researchers’ ideas. This is especially true when he mentioned the reason why Hannibal was bitter about the Roman Empire. Although the author mentioned that it was because of the hostility that Rome had for Hannibal, I would say that it was because of his greed for power and supremacy that drove him to attack Rome.

He was a very skillful and wise commander. He considered a lot of things before making his move. This action is that of a true warrior. No room for error. And I think this was the secret to his success in battle. However, his overconfident attitude made him fall. Never underestimate your opponent. Finally, Hannibal found his match. And rightfully, Scipio defeated him over their battle in Zama.

[Roy Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

What more could I say? This book is one of the best I have come across so far. It really captured my attention with its enthralling and unique take on the past. There’s so much in every chapter that you shouldn’t miss out on. It was an intense read!

I love how the author tells the story with clarity and intensity. Great read and there was a lot to learn. You’ll be amazed at how the ancient civilization battled for supremacy. In this case, Rome was slowly emerging into power. However, Hannibal’s bitterness towards Rome caused him to develop hatred and bitterness. As a result, he went for an all-out war. He expanded his dominion in the neighboring cities and fortified his cavalries and troops. He even crossed the Alpines with all his horses, elephants, and combat warriors. A very impossible task but he did it with pride and some risks. Realizing the enemy’s weakness, for over 16 years they fought for glory and all of the battles favored Hannibal. I totally love this book and I’m thinking of giving it a second read.

[Wayne Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend HANNIBAL, SCIPIO, AND THE EMERGENCE OF ROME to history enthusiasts who enjoy learning and discovering the past. It gets more and more interesting as each chapter unfolds. Based on solid references, this book always wins for the most factual account of the emergence of Rome. This book is a great resource for students, professors, and almost everybody.

Driven by greed, love for one another grew cold. Hannibal was more like a selfish commander, though I must admit that he was also clever. His intellectual strength however was used in the wrong way. Conquering weak nations and killing innocent lives, he walks in dark paths. Three reasons I could think of as to why he launched such a campaign against Rome were for the 3Gs, i.e., god, glory and gold. But this is the sad truth about history that one can’t deny. Our past is full of war and bloodshed.

This book gives us profound life lessons that we could apply in our lives to avoid the same mistakes that the old civilization committed. I’m glad to have found this book.

[Teresa Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an awesome narrative by Af Jochnick to depict greatness at its finest. I was impressed at how well this book was researched. The development of the story was awesome. It’s easy to follow and understand. Mind you that this book is a timeline, so taking track of time is very important. I’d like to say Kudos to the author for writing in a very sequential way.

The year was about 500 BC when Rome slowly rose to power. However, the ancient civilization denies entries of common people. It took time for them to realize that the common people are actually the bloodline of the nation. Slowly, their system was changed. It’s a lesson that one must learn: never underestimate the power of an ordinary person. But Hannibal was no ordinary man as he was born to be a warrior. Growing up with prejudice in his life about the hostility of Rome, he sought to fight against them. The battles and wars that took thousands of peoples' lives lasted over 20 years. This book is extraordinary. A complete guide to Rome's supremacy.

[Hunter Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bold, strong, and invincible in terms of naval triumphs and feats! It's a breath of fresh air to have an author who realistically depicts and perfectly allocates events - piece by piece - adding to my enjoyment of this book. My thoughts mushroomed with the many strategies employed by the various commanders during the battles, no matter how small or extensive, as well as the extended conquests of territory. You will never be able to comprehend its potential to provide abundance via the countless adventures undertaken by the noble characters from the beginning to end. The narrating style was well-coordinated, with a mind-blowing force, and it was linked to a large group of concepts. The constancy with which you are presented with energizing events will cause you to sway your views, as if it is your destiny to be a part of an ancient conflict. I had a great time reading this one and can't wait for others to benefit from the same reading experience.

[Landon Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never expected that a history book could be so much fun and entertaining to read. For one, I’m not actually a fan of this kind of genre. But when I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I thoroughly followed the expedition of Hannibal as he built his empire all throughout Rome and Europe. He was so successful at the beginning that I considered him the most successful warrior of all time until he met Scipio.

I realized that their battle is actually not a battle between swords and canyons but a battle of the mind and of tactics. It’s like playing chess - you’ve got to find your best move to overpower the opponent. It’s not a matter of quantity or fortified walls, but a matter of skill and experience in war.

I thoroughly enjoyed their battles for over 20 years. And I was just happy that in the end, they both agreed on peace. It is something that I believe has long been forgotten. This book is very informative with a complete bibliography. I love it.

[Isabella Campbeell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful book that could transform lives just by reading it! Growing up, I have become a big fan of history books and I could say that this one outshines the others.

It begins with a brief history of Rome before it became powerfully established and how Carthage played a vital role all throughout the story. The Kingdom of Tyre and their business in Phoenicia (today’s Lebanon) made a great impact with the businessmen and merchants. I realized how trade and businesses were very much important before as they are now. They helped build the historical foundations. Through these, men of great minds like King Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, and Hannibal became well known to men and became a part of our history. Inventions, livelihoods, military, and more helped Carthage progress and find ways to take advantage of every opportunity that comes along. I wholly enjoyed the book with all its informative insights. I never regretted a single moment reading it.

[Laura Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brace yourself and fasten your seatbelt as this book is going to take you on a roller coaster ride to Hannibal’s campaign in Rome and in some parts of Europe.

His determination to unite Europe was intense. He met a lot of people, conquered a lot of kingdoms and dominions but ultimately, his quest was becoming more and more insignificant. I pity all those people who died innocently. This is especially true for wars that could have been avoided but ended up being gory encounters. I never thought of war as a medium for peace and unity. If I were Hannibal, I would have used a different technique in order to expand my campaigns such as trade and industry, religion, or even art. However, history has happened and cannot be undone. I was deeply touched by his determination to have a safe passage in order to travel to another country. Hannibal was a great leader and warrior and so was Scipio. This book will take you to a whole new level of events in the past. Great read!

[Rory Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does not only give you heart-pounding scenes but also presents the most informative stories of the past. There is nothing that I have for the author other than high admiration and respect.
One of the things that fascinated me the most was the unending battles and wars for the unending quest for dominion and power. It’s scary how these happened in the past and molded our history into what it is today. If it were not for the heroes of the past, we would never see tomorrow.

The determination of Hannibal and his troops to navigate and look for greener pastures is something that calls for high regard. You could really see that he wasn’t afraid of anything that would hinder his path. But in the end, he finally found someone who could defeat him and that’s no other than Scipio. However, after all the years of battles, they’ve finally come to terms. This is a great read and definitely something that I would love to recommend.

[Henry Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The victory that Hannibal harnessed one city after another is the result of his intellectual prowess. Many people underestimate the power of the mind when in fact it could be dangerous in many respects.

Hannibal’s plan against Rome was very surprising, but still it ended up in a stalemate. What could have gone wrong in Hannibal’s campaign? For me, there was nothing amiss. It’s just that Rome was much stronger than Carthage. During this time period, every city had its weakness and one has to find that weakness in order to gain victory. Hannibal’s rule was founded in greed and force. A lot of deprivation happened even with his countrymen. Despite all that, his brilliance and determination to expand his campaign as far as North Africa is still worth mentioning. So much bloodshed happened and innocent lives taken. I was just glad that the author ended the book at the right time when Hannibal and Scipio reached a peaceful treaty. It’s more like a movie to me - vivid and engaging.

[Nathan Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right from the very beginning, I knew this book is the one I’ve been waiting for. I’ve been reading quite a few books now and this one really got my attention. It’s a very genuine and intricately detailed story of the past.

Hannibal’s expedition or campaign turned out to be one of the greatest in history. His determination to conquer Rome was one of a kind. But Rome remained strong and resilient despite all the attacks from outside forces. Carthage was a very fortified city expanding its territory to Iberia and Spain, yet the forces of Rome remained stronger. There was a time when Hannibal was able to secure victory when he crossed over the Alps, but it wasn’t enough to overthrow Rome. In the end, Hannibal met his true rival in Scipio. Now, he has reasons to never attack Rome ever again. And I’m happy they agreed in peace. Everything in this book is detailed and on point. I’m happy to recommend this one.

[Virginia Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The harsh threat and hostility of Rome towards Hannibal fired up his plans to war against the Roman Empire. This has been truly very informative - a great source of knowledge for students and history enthusiasts.

I was totally impressed by how Hannibal managed to go forward with his campaign against Rome and other cities. He was a great warrior and a very intellectual commander in the battlefield. His tactics and skills in war made him great. I totally enjoyed following his feat. Even though he wasn’t very successful in some battles, especially when he met Scipio, their battle in Zama marked the best battle of all time for me. Scipio proved his worth in battle by outnumbering Hannibal’s troops and bringing more experienced and skillful warriors. Finally, peace was achieved for a short time. Glad to have found this book. I love how the author related the story in a very cohesive and easy way. He even included maps and illustrations for the readers. They were very helpful.

[Jacqueline Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful historical book written in the most informative way. Mr. Af Jochnick wrote with passion and intensity as he described the events of the past. Certainly a must read for history enthusiasts.

The almost never ending battle between Carthage and Rome gives many lessons in life that one could apply even today. For instance, preparation is always a must and going to war unprepared is never an option. And there was never a moment that Hannibal went to war unprepared. He knew that the Roman Empire was going for strength, so he crossed the Alps and invaded Italy first to take supremacy and to fortify his troops. Anything could go wrong, but he did it anyway and his success followed him. His determination and wisdom rewarded his feat. He became unstoppable for a while there.

Honestly, these are just the few of the amazing insights that the reader will be able to read in this book. If you want to have intellectual strength just like Hannibal, this book is for you.

[Grayson Philips · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was never a moment that I felt bored while reading this book. It was all well researched and written. Congrats to the author for making an authentic account complete with references and illustrations.

Hannibal, Scipio, and the Emergence of Rome features many battles and were fascinatingly told discreetly by none other than sir Af Jochnick. His writing style is unique with no sugar coating and is direct to the point. This gives the reader a very good vibe when reading. Not letting the reading hang, then cutting their excitement short just like in other books. I found this one to be the most accurate and factual. I was also impressed at how well the author told the Second Punic War’s story.

Overall, this book is a great source for learning. I would also consider this book as a guide so that people of today would not fall for the same mistakes again. We have been taught already that war does no good to us. This book easily deserves a five out of five star rating.

[Mateo Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book that would engulf you with life changing lessons from the past, I’m sure this book is very well suited for you. It’s definitely going to give you a tremendous amount of intensity and suspense with regards to history.

This book has so much to say. I find it also well-organized and complete with dates, maps, illustrations, and references. It’s easy to read and understand. History could be a very complex subject because you’ve got to guide the reader from time to time. I appreciate the author for starting just right. He was able to describe very well the status of Rome when it first started - weak and driven by the political forces of the rich. Later on, they developed a system which included the poor and the common people to be a part of the government. This is very crucial in today’s time. It fosters equality, democracy, and human rights. Of all the books I’ve read about history, this one is the hardest to put down.

[Bridger Rusell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, interesting, and overall a great read!

Adolf af Jochnick's passion for history really shines through in all his works. Hannibal, Scipio, and the Emergence of Rome does not pale in comparison with its neatly organized subtopics and detailed, thoroughly researched narratives about the aforementioned subject matters. Starting from the very early years of Rome, to how Carthage flourished, to how Hannibal became figures greatly heard throughout the world and through generations and generations; Jochnick spares no effort in his research for the most concise, accurate, and deeply engaging discussion about "Hannibal, Scipio, and the Emergence of Rome".

I honestly just started reading Adolf af Jochnick's books as reference materials for our history class but then his works made me cultivate a deep interest in history. I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a history buff but I am definitely a fan.