I've read many history books and this is one of the most intriguing. Scipio's speach before the Roman Senate, where he had to convince a reluctant body to give him command that would enable him to build an army to attack Carthage itself, is a masterwork of rhetoric and moralityplay. Many in the Senate were jealous of his success and gave him the command only because they thought he would fail. A failure they believed would enable them to discredit and ruin him forever. Spectacular book!
