DeSantis’ book is a good survey of Rome’s efforts at sea and the effects of the strategy and tactics involved in the period covered. He discusses the effects of battles and political manoeuvring, including its effects on the struggles underway on land. This is a great read... I am happy to recommend this book to anyone interested in ancient history, military history, naval history, classic naval warfare. I will admit to having learnt a few new things here, especially about Queen Teuta and her conflict with Rome.

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THOMO'S HOLE

In all, De Santis gives us an excellent view of war at sea in the period and of the Punic wars, which will prove of great value for those lacking familiarity with the period, and is not without some insights likely to be of interest to the more serious student of the subject.

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StrategyPage.Com - reviewed by A. A. Nofi, Review Editor

An interesting study of one of the most important aspects of the long series of wars between Rome and Carthage.

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HistoryOfWar.org

Marc Desantis writes with a pleasingly direct manner, and whilst there are few illustrations, those provided are pertinent. There is a genuine impression of authenticity in the text.

The reader can almost see the lighthouse guiding them to a safe conclusion, but the author is well aware that the conclusions are his and that resolving the issues of ancient naval warfare are open to some debate. Nonetheless this is a book that builds a sound keel for future understanding of the subject.

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UNRV

For the society member who is starting to take an interest in the wars between Carthage and the Roman Republic, I recommend it.

Slingshot 308

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VaeVictis, September 2016

A well-researched and illuminating look at an aspect of the Punic Wars that rightly deserves more attention.

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Destructive Music

As featured in

Military History Monthly, October 2016

This oddly titled book is a most interesting retelling of the three Punic wars, with an emphasis on the contest for naval supremacy.

Carthage was the naval superpower of the Mediterranean, and Rome had almost no seafaring history or capability. Yet Rome won the naval contest. This book explains how. It also explains how the destruction of Carthage was the single most important event in the forging of the Roman empire, yet also planted the seeds for Rome’s eventual fall.

The author includes fascinating information about the design and construction of galleys, and the financial and manpower implications of the massive undertaking of building a navy from scratch.

I particularly enjoyed chapter 4 which explained the technology, capabilities and limitations of galleys, and the implications and risks of various strategies such as ramming. Rome’s use of the corvus which permitted use of its famed infantry in sea battles, provided a technological edge for a few years but was ultimately discontinued, probably due to a resulting reduction in seaworthiness of the galleys caused by the heavy corvus.

The book includes a few maps (too few in my opinion, and not all locations in the text are on the maps) , and diagrams of the likely appearance of the corvus. It is well written, and appealed to this general reader. It should particularly appeal to students of ancient history, military history, naval history, and ship construction.

Highly recommended.

Dr John Viggers, Freelance

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Military History Monthly Magazine