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David J. L. Gibbins
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Total War Rome: Destroy Carthage Kindle Edition

by David Gibbins (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 164 ratings
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How far would you go for Rome?

Carthage, 146 BC.

This is the story of Fabius Petronius Secundus – Roman legionary and centurion – and of his general Scipio Aemilianus, and his rise to power: from his first battle against the Macedonians, that seals the fate of Alexander the Great's Empire, to total war in North Africa and the Siege of Carthage.

Scipio's success brings him admiration and respect, but also attracts greed and jealousy – for the closest allies can become the bitterest of enemies. And then there is the dark horse, Julia, of the Caesar family – in love with Scipio but betrothed to his rival Paullus – who causes a vicious feud.

Ultimately for Scipio it will come down to one question: how much is he prepared to sacrifice for his vision of Rome?

Inspired by Total War: Rome II, from the bestselling Total War computer strategy game series, Destroy Carthage is the first in an epic series of novels. Not only the tale of one man's fate, it is also a journey to the core of Roman times, through a world of extraordinary military tactics and political intrigue that Rome's warriors and citizens used to cheat death.

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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Total War
  2. Print length
    352 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Thomas Dunne Books
  5. Publication date
    September 3, 2013
  6. File size
    1.1 MB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Gibbins delivers the last battle in superb scenes of the horrid surprises of war… ‘Carthage must be destroyed' is the endgame of this novel, but the road to that Roman victory is the true reading enjoyment.” ―Kirkus

“One of the best historical novels of the year. Gibbins has done a stunning job piercing together various historical sources to create an extraordinary tale of Scipio and his role in the siege of Carthage. A tale based in actual history. As such, I would recommend Destroy Carthage not only to fans of the computer game series but to anyone willing to discover that past is sometimes much more excited than fantasy.” ―upcoming4.me

“The novel manages to capture the true spirit of the Total War series and gives anyone with even a passing interest in Roman history a tempting taste of what scholars imagine that life was like during the rise of the Roman Empire. Destroy Carthage is certainly one of the more convincing and entertaining attempts at companion fiction I've seen and could even entice readers to pick up the Total War: Rome II game to see if they could match - or better - Scipio's achievements.” ―Geek chocolate

“Perhaps the most impressive element of Destroy Carthage is that it finds such a large thread of history that's so accurately able to parallel the action of the game…. the book is, by and large, a political thriller…. It also shows Gibbins' attention to detail--he paints a vivid picture of what ancient Roman life would've been like circa the second century B.C…. If you enjoy immersing yourself in a historical time period and learning a bit about long-extinct cultures--or find yourself obsessed with the corresponding game and need something else to help augment your experience--this is a solid read that's definitely worth your time.” ―Electronic Gaming Monthly

From the Back Cover

A thrilling journey to the core of Roman times-through a world of extraordinary military tactics and political intrigue-from international bestselling author David Gibbins.

Carthage, 146 B.C. This is the story of Fabius Petronius Secundus-Roman legionary and centurion-and of his general Scipio Aemilianus, and his rise to power: from his first battle against the Macedonians, which seals the fate of Alexander the Great's successors, to total war in North Africa and the Siege of Carthage.


"Superb." -Kirkus Reviews

Scipio's success brings him admiration and respect, but also attracts greed and jealousy as his closest allies become ruthless enemies. And then there is Julia, of the Caesar family-in love with Scipio but betrothed to his rival Paullus-who causes a vicious feud. For Scipio it will come down to one question: what is he prepared to sacrifice for his vision of Rome? Meanwhile, the citizens and warriors lie in wait to see what fate has in store. . .

"Gibbins clearly understands the immense levels of fear, excitement, and adrenaline that pump through each Roman soldier, and the surgical brutality of their battles." -SEGA Addicts

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BRAJCCO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas Dunne Books; Reprint edition (September 3, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 3, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 164 ratings

About the author

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David J. L. Gibbins

David J. L. Gibbins

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My book A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks reflects my lifelong fascination with underwater archaeology and maritime history. I've also written 13 novels, including eleven in my Jack Howard series of archaeological thrillers and two historical novels set in the Roman period. My books have sold over three million copies and been published in thirty languages.

Much of my writing is based on my own experiences as an archaeologist and diver. I learned to dive in Canada aged 15 and had dived under ice, in flooded mines and on shipwrecks before I had left school. As an undergraduate at the University of Bristol in England I spent my summers excavating Roman shipwrecks off Sicily, and I continued that as a PhD student at the University of Cambridge. After holding a Research Scholarship at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and a postdoctoral fellowship, I taught archaeology and ancient history as a university lecturer in England. Along the way I excavated more wrecks and at the ancient site of Carthage in Tunisia, held a Visiting Scholarship at St John’s College, Oxford and was an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Nautical Archaeology while diving on an ancient Greek wreck off Turkey. After leaving academia to write full-time I dived with my brother and daughter on wrecks in the Great Lakes in Canada, and then on wrecks off Cornwall in south-west England of the 17th and 18th centuries. Many of these sites feature in my novels and in A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks.

I've been surrounded by books all my life, and love the fact that research for my writing has given me an excuse to read widely in areas beyond my original areas of expertise. In fiction, I had an early fascination with Tolkien and a long-standing passion for existentialist and magical realist literature, and more recently I've been devoted to Patrick O’Brian’s Jack Aubrey series of novels set at sea during the Napoleonic Wars - among the greatest historical novels ever written. I wish I had time to read more fiction but I find when writing my own books that I'm immersed completely in that, and there are many more of those to come!

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
164 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-researched. They appreciate the author's writing style and historical accuracy. However, opinions differ on the narrative quality - some find it rich and detailed, while others feel it lacks the essence of the Roman Empire.

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ReadabilityHistorical accuracyWriting qualityNarrative quality
15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's engaging plot and find it entertaining. They say it's a good Roman Legion novel that complements the game well.

"...Overall, these are just minor things. The story overall is an excellent read, especially if you are a fan of this era of history...." Read more

"...I have just recently read his book Pharoah also a fascinating book. I look forward to hid next release." Read more

"...Extremely good read!" Read more

"Very historical and interesting. Great read for those who are interested in the game and or the time period." Read more

13 customers mention "Historical accuracy"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-researched and interesting. They appreciate the historical accuracy and semi-fictional storyline. The book provides unique insights into Roman thought and military development. Overall, readers describe it as informative and a page-turner.

"...The book is very well rooted in historic fact, bringing in several fictional characters and putting forth a semi-fictional, semi-historical storyline..." Read more

"...If you're looking for some interesting discussions of ancient military strategy and tactics, and a lot of battlefield blood and gore, this book is..." Read more

"...Extremely well written book that provided enough history to allow us to understand why Carthage wasn't destroyed from the first Roman invasion...." Read more

"Very historical and interesting. Great read for those who are interested in the game and or the time period." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written, readable, and worth reading. They appreciate the author's approach to writing.

"Something I like about the way the author writes the book, is that he doesn't restrict it to the Total War series...." Read more

"Although a fictional retelling of historical fact this book is well worth reading...." Read more

"...Extremely well written book that provided enough history to allow us to understand why Carthage wasn't destroyed from the first Roman invasion...." Read more

"...But very readable." Read more

6 customers mention "Narrative quality"3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the narrative quality. Some find the plot rich and well-developed, with vivid battles and a semi-fictional, semi-historical storyline. Others feel the book lacks more narrative, especially with less explicit gore and violence, and fails to capture the essence of the old Roman Empire. They also mention that the long breaks in the story are frustrating and slow down the story.

"...fact, bringing in several fictional characters and putting forth a semi-fictional, semi-historical storyline...." Read more

"...The long breaks in the story are frustrating, but they are better than pure speculation, and serve to arrange the book nicely...." Read more

"...Good plot lines,good historical research I hope there's more to come in the series." Read more

"...One misses thus more narrative, however with not so much explicit gore and violence, I don't need to read which parts of the body are first eaten by..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Scipi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good with some minor pet peeves
    Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Something I like about the way the author writes the book, is that he doesn't restrict it to the Total War series. Indeed, if it were not for the title, you'd forget that connection outright which works to the book's benefit. The book is very well rooted in historic fact, bringing in several fictional characters and putting forth a semi-fictional, semi-historical storyline. In this, it achieves a kind of historic plausibility, there the events described could potentially have happened.

    There are some minor pet peeves about the book some may have, but this may be different depending upon your background. As an avid Roman History buff (particularly the Roman Republican era in which this book is set), there are some things I felt the book could have done differently.

    One is the occasional major suspension of disbelief. It is clear that there are parts where the author is influenced by future events, such as a character describing guns and cannon after a demonstration of a very real and historically accurate device. Luckily, these only ever take away from certain scenes and not the overall book itself. Another thing that would be much appreciated is this book could benefit greatly from footnotes. It is difficult to tell sometimes what is factual and what is fiction. It is unclear if many of the opinions and political stances taken by historic individuals in this book are accurate or invented to drive the story. Footnotes would clear this up very effectively.

    Overall, these are just minor things. The story overall is an excellent read, especially if you are a fan of this era of history. If you are expecting this to be a book that is (somehow) a rehash of the game, it is not. The most you'll find that is tied in to the game is some word choice, and some unit names which themselves are already historically relevant to the time period. (Cretian archers and Balearic slingers are famed types of soldiers that actually existed, for instance). The battles are suitably detailed and vivid, as they should be. Seeing how this book is only the first of four, I'm very excited to see what the next three will have.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Samuel Clemens
    4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2013
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    Gibbins allows much of the novel to devolve into violent torture-porn and Scipio is almost unbelievably reflective at all times, but it is as solid a novel as you can find considering how little source material exists about Scipio's life. The long breaks in the story are frustrating, but they are better than pure speculation, and serve to arrange the book nicely. Perhaps the greatest part is that the story is not told from Scipio's point of view, which keeps the reader more aware of the important role of Scipio's supporting cast in determining the fate of Carthage.
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  • Janis Anne Sleighter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and a page turner
    Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Although a fictional retelling of historical fact this book is well worth reading. I learned much about the fall of Carthage and other battles previous to the battle Carthage. I have great respect for Gibbins background in archaeology and the research he does for his books. I have just recently read his book Pharoah also a fascinating book. I look forward to hid next release.
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  • Robin E. Levin
    3.0 out of 5 stars Distorted History
    Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2013
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    I knew I was in trouble when I read the dramatis personae of this book and found that Scipio Aemilianus was married to a fictional person named Claudia Pulchra (or Pulchradina, as the author puts it.) It is well known that Scipio Aemilianus was married to Sempronia Graccha, the daughter of Cornelia the Mother of the Gracchi, and her husband Tiberius Gracchus, and granddaughter of Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus. What other surprises awaited me when I read this book? There were just a multitude of things that were either inaccurate or distorted. This book is closer to fantasy than to historical fiction.
    The Greek historian Polybius is a main character in the book but the writer gets a lot of things wrong. For one thing he has Polybius as a prisoner in Rome before the battle of Pydna, and working as a teacher in a fictional military school for patrician boys that was established by Scipio Africanus. At the time of the battle of Pydna, Polybius was hipparch of the Achaean league and had offered his services, along with 1500 cavalrymen to Aemilius Paullus. This is where Polybius met Scipio Aemilianus, then about seventeen years old. Polybius did not come to Rome as a hostage until the following year when Rome decided to clamp down on Greek independence. Polybius made the best of a bad situation, becoming tutor to Aemilius Paullus' two sons Quintus Fabius Maximus and Publius Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus.
    I could go on and on about the historical inaccuracies in this book, but that would get tedious. My main problem was the author's assertion that the destruction of Carthage was necessary because Carthage was rearming and becoming a military threat to Rome. His only real argument for this notion is that Carthage built two internal harbors that were capable of housing war ships. This is likely true, having been gleaned from archeology, but it is not known that these harbors were actually used for war ships, and, if they were, whether the war ships might not have had a benign purpose such as defending merchant ships from pirates. The author asserts that Carthage was the aggressor in the war with Masinissa, when ancient writings say that Masinissa periodically encroached upon Carthaginian territory. The Carthaginians would send delegations to Rome to complain and Rome would almost always side with Masinissa. The author also asserts that Carthage was recruiting mercenaries. After their defeat in the Second Punic War, Carthage could no longer recruit mercenaries from their traditional sources such as Numidia, the Balearic Islands, and Spain, so where would they have been recruiting from? Gaul, the author asserts. Sounds like a bit of a stretch.
    Scipio Aemilianus (the real Scipio Aemilianus, not Gibbon's caricature) personally witnessed the devastating defeat of the Carthaginian army by Masinissa's tribesmen in 150 B.C., so how could he, or anyone else, have considered Carthage a credible military threat to Rome? The fact is, the last thing the Carthaginians wanted was another military confrontation with Rome and they were persuaded to do all kind of humiliating things to forestall such a confrontation, including totally disarming and sending 300 high born youngsters to Rome as hostages. It was only when the Romans insisted that they abandon their city and move at least ten miles inland that they were driven to resist.
    If you're looking for some interesting discussions of ancient military strategy and tactics, and a lot of battlefield blood and gore, this book is for you. If you're looking for an accurate portrayal of the events and personalities involved in the Third Punic War, this book is not for you.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Pedro V.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cannot wait for the next book.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I have always been into Roman history, especially the war and tactical aspect of it, and this book allowed me to enjoy every second. Extremely well written book that provided enough history to allow us to understand why Carthage wasn't destroyed from the first Roman invasion. Extremely good read!
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • javier
    4.0 out of 5 stars interesante muy interesante
    Reviewed in Spain on December 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    La idea era aprender de historia y de Roma y de inglés .
    Me gusto
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  • Ian J Watts
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the Game.Loved the Book.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    As said in the title I loved the Total War series of games centred around Rome. So to have a book based on this was beyond my expectations. Written well and it gives you an insight into Scipio as he grows into the renowned commander we know him to be.
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  • Rajan
    3.0 out of 5 stars Total War!
    Reviewed in India on February 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Finally got the Total War fix!
    This book is typical, mainstream, hack and slash, blood and gore, ancient warfare, roman military and tactics, political and military alliances, DONE WELL!
    The battles, the sacrifices, the rituals, the intelligence, navy, artillery, infantry, cavalry, city walls and battle rams, laying siege to cities, last stands, swords, shields, spears, chain-mail, clank-clank!
    Of course, it has it's numerous shares of badly written parts but who cares- writing is not exactly what Total War is known for!
    Oh, and what do you know, it also ended on a sequel-birthing note. Is that writing enough for you?
    Action packed, thrilling, a fun read for RTS fans!

    (The book I received had another cover art).
    Report
  • gagas37
    1.0 out of 5 stars Ennuyeux
    Reviewed in France on April 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    J'adore le jeu vidéo Rome Total War j'étais donc très curieux de lire ce roman qui s'annonçait palpitant à la lecture de la préface (gratuites sur le site de l'éditeur). A priori, seule la préface était passionnante car le reste du roman est d'un ennui... On attend constamment que l'action arrive. J'ai arrêté à 1/4 de la fin du livre car c'était vraiment trop ennuyeux...
    Le roman parie clairement sur la réputation de l'auteur pour faire son chiffre. Après sa lecture, je ne suis pas prêt d'acheter un roman de David GIBBINS. Simon SCARROW reste ma référence pour les roman fiction sur l'Empire Romain.
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  • jeff53
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    good read well written book of its type
    Report

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