"In this book, Adrian Goldsworthy chronicles the wars that shaped the Western World. Each of the wars are described in detail: the long stalemate over Sicily in the First Punic War (264-241BC), the titanic struggle which saw Hannibal beaten back from the very edge of victory in the Second Punic War (218-202BC), and the final carnage of the Third Punic War (149-146BC) which ended in the destruction of Carthage. The political background to the conflict as a whole, the grand strategies of the generals and the brutal realities of close-contact fighting on the ground and at sea are all clearly described. The great pitched battles are covered in especial detail, notably Hannibal's 'perfect' victory at Cannae in 216 which has remained an inspiration for commanders across the world ever since."--Jacket.