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halfmanhalfbook's review against another edition
4.0
Over the past four decades, Barnaby Rogerson has been fortunate to travel extensively across North Africa. He has visited with his family, as a writer and as a guide. He has delved into the richly complicated vein of history there, choosing six people from history that have intrigued him, that didn't fit into a standard historical narrative and until now have been mere footnotes of history. Beginning with Queen Dido of Carthage he moves onto a well-known general Hannibal, son of Hamilcar and a Berber general Masinissa who was to prove his nemesis. We next encounter Juba II an African King before the Romans intrude with Septimius Severus. Lastly is St. Augustine a Christian saint. All of these people had a significant impact on the countries in North Africa leaving behind ruins, legacy and myths.
Woven into the six stories of the people who formed ancient North Africa, is Rogerson's other love, travel. Details have been discovered whilst sitting on picnic rugs under the shade of an olive tree, taking groups of slightly nervous people up into the hills of Algeria to see the pyramids of Juba. Swimming off Leptis Magna, the ruined Roman city on the Libyan shore is an evocative scene, and is something that he tries to do every visit to this part of the coast, but it is also a time to catch up with old friends a uncover a little more about the place as they study the mosaics. The stories of Hannibal in North Africa, most famous for walking elephants across the Alps when battling Rome, are of a part of his life not often heard about and the tale of his final battle against the mighty Roman army that was to see the end of Carthage.
This fascinating account of his travels in this ancient landscape of North Africa is primarily focused on history, but as you'd expect, especially given Rogerson's day job, there are strong elements of travel woven into the narrative. I am guessing that there have been some liberties with the stories that he is telling, but in certain cases, there is precious little to go on to make the stories flow so well. History is often written by the victors, but Rogerson has followed each lead tenaciously to get the answers that he wanted. This book only contains six well know people, but there must be many stories from this part f the world still to be told. There are photos of the places visited scatter throughout, but If I had one minor gripe, it would have good to read more about his own travels in these lands.
Woven into the six stories of the people who formed ancient North Africa, is Rogerson's other love, travel. Details have been discovered whilst sitting on picnic rugs under the shade of an olive tree, taking groups of slightly nervous people up into the hills of Algeria to see the pyramids of Juba. Swimming off Leptis Magna, the ruined Roman city on the Libyan shore is an evocative scene, and is something that he tries to do every visit to this part of the coast, but it is also a time to catch up with old friends a uncover a little more about the place as they study the mosaics. The stories of Hannibal in North Africa, most famous for walking elephants across the Alps when battling Rome, are of a part of his life not often heard about and the tale of his final battle against the mighty Roman army that was to see the end of Carthage.
This fascinating account of his travels in this ancient landscape of North Africa is primarily focused on history, but as you'd expect, especially given Rogerson's day job, there are strong elements of travel woven into the narrative. I am guessing that there have been some liberties with the stories that he is telling, but in certain cases, there is precious little to go on to make the stories flow so well. History is often written by the victors, but Rogerson has followed each lead tenaciously to get the answers that he wanted. This book only contains six well know people, but there must be many stories from this part f the world still to be told. There are photos of the places visited scatter throughout, but If I had one minor gripe, it would have good to read more about his own travels in these lands.
kingjason's review
4.0
When I was a lad and at school my history lessons featured The Romans, The Egyptians and huge amount on the British Royal Family. As far a history in North Africa there was nothing really mentioned. After reading this book I really feel I've missed out on some really bloody history. Hannibal and his tactics are very interesting, the Roman army was considered indestructible until they faced off with Hannibal, he knew how they operated and used that against him. I would have loved to have lessons on this era.
Another historical character that I feel a bit embarrassed I knew very little about is St Augustine, the work he did and surviving so long was impressive, easily the most interesting character included in the book.
Barnaby Rogerson has done a really impressive job here, there are so many characters/places and dates that needed to be included and his writing technique means you don't get bogged down in all the details, it is easy to follow what is going on...and bringing his own sense of humour really helps too. Included are a selection of full page photographs, a nice addition to the book.
This is a great place to start if you want to learn about the history of North Africa.
Blog post is Here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2017/12/10/in-search-of-ancient-north-africa-a-history-in-six-lives-by-barnaby-rogerson/
Another historical character that I feel a bit embarrassed I knew very little about is St Augustine, the work he did and surviving so long was impressive, easily the most interesting character included in the book.
Barnaby Rogerson has done a really impressive job here, there are so many characters/places and dates that needed to be included and his writing technique means you don't get bogged down in all the details, it is easy to follow what is going on...and bringing his own sense of humour really helps too. Included are a selection of full page photographs, a nice addition to the book.
This is a great place to start if you want to learn about the history of North Africa.
Blog post is Here> https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2017/12/10/in-search-of-ancient-north-africa-a-history-in-six-lives-by-barnaby-rogerson/
halfmanhalfbook's review
4.0
Over the past four decades, Barnaby Rogerson has been fortunate to travel extensively across North Africa. He has visited with his family, as a writer and as a guide. He has delved into the richly complicated vein of history there, choosing six people from history that have intrigued him, that didn't fit into a standard historical narrative and until now have been mere footnotes of history. Beginning with Queen Dido of Carthage he moves onto a well-known general Hannibal, son of Hamilcar and a Berber general Masinissa who was to prove his nemesis. We next encounter Juba II an African King before the Romans intrude with Septimius Severus. Lastly is St. Augustine a Christian saint. All of these people had a significant impact on the countries in North Africa leaving behind ruins, legacy and myths.
Woven into the six stories of the people who formed ancient North Africa, is Rogerson's other love, travel. Details have been discovered whilst sitting on picnic rugs under the shade of an olive tree, taking groups of slightly nervous people up into the hills of Algeria to see the pyramids of Juba. Swimming off Leptis Magna, the ruined Roman city on the Libyan shore is an evocative scene, and is something that he tries to do every visit to this part of the coast, but it is also a time to catch up with old friends a uncover a little more about the place as they study the mosaics. The stories of Hannibal in North Africa, most famous for walking elephants across the Alps when battling Rome, are of a part of his life not often heard about and the tale of his final battle against the mighty Roman army that was to see the end of Carthage.
This fascinating account of his travels in this ancient landscape of North Africa is primarily focused on history, but as you'd expect, especially given Rogerson's day job, there are strong elements of travel woven into the narrative. I am guessing that there have been some liberties with the stories that he is telling, but in certain cases, there is precious little to go on to make the stories flow so well. History is often written by the victors, but Rogerson has followed each lead tenaciously to get the answers that he wanted. This book only contains six well know people, but there must be many stories from this part f the world still to be told. There are photos of the places visited scatter throughout, but If I had one minor gripe, it would have good to read more about his own travels in these lands.
Woven into the six stories of the people who formed ancient North Africa, is Rogerson's other love, travel. Details have been discovered whilst sitting on picnic rugs under the shade of an olive tree, taking groups of slightly nervous people up into the hills of Algeria to see the pyramids of Juba. Swimming off Leptis Magna, the ruined Roman city on the Libyan shore is an evocative scene, and is something that he tries to do every visit to this part of the coast, but it is also a time to catch up with old friends a uncover a little more about the place as they study the mosaics. The stories of Hannibal in North Africa, most famous for walking elephants across the Alps when battling Rome, are of a part of his life not often heard about and the tale of his final battle against the mighty Roman army that was to see the end of Carthage.
This fascinating account of his travels in this ancient landscape of North Africa is primarily focused on history, but as you'd expect, especially given Rogerson's day job, there are strong elements of travel woven into the narrative. I am guessing that there have been some liberties with the stories that he is telling, but in certain cases, there is precious little to go on to make the stories flow so well. History is often written by the victors, but Rogerson has followed each lead tenaciously to get the answers that he wanted. This book only contains six well know people, but there must be many stories from this part f the world still to be told. There are photos of the places visited scatter throughout, but If I had one minor gripe, it would have good to read more about his own travels in these lands.
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