An Cosantóir

63 REVIEWS The Punic Wars are often described as the World Wars of the Ancient World. Carthage, a major maritime power in the Mediterranean Sea enjoyed unparalleled supremacy and dominated many trade routes. Rome, fresh from a series of wars to strengthen its position on the Italian peninsula sought to challenge this dominance and so began a series of wars that are still studied over two millennia later. "The Fall of Carthage" by Adrian Goldsworthy is a fascinating insight into this succession of confrontations that helped shape the Ancient World and whose effects can still be seen today. Drawing from ancient sources and classical texts, we get a snapshot into not just the tactics and strategies employed, but also the mindset of these empires vying for glory. In plain and easily understood language, Mr. Goldsworthy takes the reader on a journey through these life-and-death struggles. We learn of the murky motives behind the start of these wars, the various naval clashes, skirmishes and pitched battles. This book is ideal for someone with even a passing interest in history, as well as anyone interested in learning about the background of military strategies still in use today. This book is both a sequel and prequel to Larkins first novel in this series, titled 'Big Red'.It does a terrific job on both fronts. It builds on the fantastic world and mind-bending sci-fi created in Big Red. It promises a lot and it delivers. This is at its heart military science fiction; its action is gritty and plentiful, and not for the faint of heart. I wanted this book to draw me back into that world, and to taste the dust and smell the cordite, and this book drops you right into a brutal conflict on Mars. Larkin has succeeded in dealing with strong themes, such as violence, persecution, xenophobia, antisemitism, fascism in a unique and engaging fashion. This is layered fiction, it can be subtle in places, in others it a brick in a sock, swung directly at one's face. This book has everything a science fiction fan wants; it has awesome technology, conflicted heroes, savage villains, a strange world, and an unknown future. The only bigger question that the unknown future is the unknown past. Larkin has dropped breadcrumbs along the way, and in the very best tradition of writing has left the reader desperately wanting more. So, in conclusion, as soon as you can lay your hands on it ensure you read this book, and while you wait for its release to the general public in summer 2021, do yourself a massive favour and read the first title in this series. "We have always been here." Review by Damien Larkin Review by SCPO Ruairí de Barra The Fall of Carthage Blood Red Sands Author: Damien Larkin Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press ISBN: 9781939844781 Pages: 252 Price: €15.46 Available on www.amazon.com Author: Adrian Goldsworthy Publisher: Weidenfield & Nicolson ISBN: 9780304366422 Pages: 412 Price: €18.19 Available on www.easons.com BOOKS

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