This summer, I read The Young Carthaginian, by G.A. Henty. It's a Historical Fiction book that is based in the time period of the Second Punic War (219 - 201 BC). It focuses on Malchus, a young Carthaginian noble and cousin of the great Hannibal Barca, who lead the Carthaginians in the war. It starts with Malchus and his father, Hamilcar, and a small army suppressing a revolt in North Africa, then moves on to Carthage, where the people are split between the Barcid faction, who support another war with Rome and more militaristic actions, and the faction of Hanno, who support trade and no war. As the political scene is intense because the Elections for the new commander in Spain is coming soon, Malchus is swept into the heat of it all by his father, a prominent member of the Barcid faction. There is a fight on election day between masses of Carthaginians voting for either side, but the Barcids gain the upper hand and are able to get Hannibal elected. Malchus is then sent to Spain as a member of the Carthaginian cavalry, and throughout the rest of the summer, they campaign in Spain, which under Hannibal's superb leadership abilities, is a huge success. Hannibal then appoints Malchus as the head of a small scouting troop for his next idea: To invade Rome and Italy by crossing the dangerous Alps. Through this march, Malchus is separated from the Army, but him and a small group of his companions are able to find their way back after fighting of Native warriors. Malchus and most of the Carthaginians come out of the Alps starving and cold, but they are welcomed by Gallic tribes (French/Northern Italians hostile to Rome). Hannibal then sets off on a string of victories at River Trebbia, Lake Trasamine, and most famously, Cannae. After Cannae, Hannibal instructs Malchus to go to Carthage and ask for more soldiers. This is a huge turning point and character change, as after he is imprisoned by the new Sufette (Leader) Hanno, he sees that Carthage has become corrupted by the rich and no longer a glorious city or empire as it once was. After escaping via elephant, he is able to return to Hannibal by ship, but is captured by the Romans and sent to work in the mines of Sardinia, where he turns the native slaves at the minds into a rebellious army, and escapes into the woodlands, avoiding attacks by the Roman army. He realizes, though, that he does not want the life of an outlaw, and comes to terms with the Roman commander in Sardinia, and he is sent to Rome to be a slave instead. He is bought by a noblewoman in Rome, and is randomly in the same household as one of the Gallic women who had cared for him after they exited from the Alps. They run away, and are able to meet with Hannibal once again. Seeing what Carthage has become, however, Malchus decides to leave the army, and go north to Germania (Germany), where the Gallic woman's mother's tribe is found, electing a simple life over the complex and corrupted life he had in Carthage.
This book is probably my favorite Historical Fiction book, because it is very well written, has a complex plot arc, and covers a lot of important issues, including corruption, difficult choices, and loyalty. It has a lot of ups and downs in it, and is very exciting to read. It is also very realistic to the facts of this war, and that adds a lot to it by making seem very real. The writing really brings you into the book, and you feel like you're there. You can relate to the characters easily because they have similar issues to issues today. Overall, it just has an excellent combination of fiction, fact, writing style, themes, and plot. It's definitely in my top 10 best books ever.
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