Description
"American Hannibal is a great introduction for readers seeking basic knowledge of the war and its personalities. Readable and engaging, this book will appeal primarily to those with an interest in military history and would be an excellent transition for those who enjoy historical fiction but wish to venture into reading nonfiction accounts. Stempel's defense of the battle's importance is certainly on point, and new students of the Revolution will likely learn a great deal from this book."xa0 -- The Journal of the American Revolution "It takes an excellent writer to craft a book on military history. One of the most difficult genres to write well, it also requires a writer with in-depth knowledge of his subject combined with an artist's palette to paint the kaleidoscope of battle. In American Hannibal , Jim Stempel wields the pen and paint brush to craft yet another book which I would argue is his best work to date. "-- J. F. Holden-Rhodes , author of Smart and Faithful Force: Henry Cochrane and the United States Marine Corps, 1861-1905 " American Hannibal will enthrall all history students in the art of battle command. Jim Stempel's account of the Battle Of Cowpens is expertly researched and written. In a time when there was no modern technology and orders/plans were drawn up on the spot and the pure instinct of soldiers kept themselves alive. How a researcher can bring the events and thoughts of those involved to life is an remarkable feat." -- Beck Valley Book Reviews Jim Stempel lives with his family in Western Maryland overlooking the Blue Ridge. His wife, Sandie, is on staff at nearby McDaniel College where she teaches astronomy and physics. His three children-a daughter and two sons-have moved on to professional careers. An avid athlete for most of his life, Jim is also the author of seven books ranging from satire, psychology, spirituality, to scholarly works of historical nonfiction. He is a graduate of the Citadel, Charleston, S.C. Jim is considered an authority on the Eastern campaigns of the American Civil War. His recent book, The Nature of War: Origins and Evolution of Violent Conflict has been well received by an international audience for its willingness to delve into the basic motivations of human warfare and the true prospects for peace those motivations suggest. His novel Albemarle was nominated for the James Fenimore Cooper Prize in Historical Fiction.
Features & Highlights
- On January 17, 1781, a remarkable battle took place in the backwoods of South Carolina. British Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton, handpicked by General Charles Cornwallis for command due to his dash and record of accomplishment, was opposed by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, a rough-and-tumble son of the American frontier. Morgan employed a scheme so brilliantly conceived and masterfully executed that within an hour, the British found themselves overwhelmed, enveloped, and routed from the field. In response to this stunning American victory, Cornwallis embarked on a reckless, desperate trek north in pursuit of Morgan--a strategy that ultimately led to his own defeat at Yorktown.
- In his compelling account of the Battle of Cowpens, Jim Stempel makes the case that Morgan's victory closely mirrors Hannibal's extraordinary triumph at Cannae, regarded by many as one of the greatest military accomplishments of all time. With a narrative style that plunges readers into the center of the events, American Hannibal will enthrall students of American history and newcomers to the subject alike.
