When I was researching my dissertation on "Why did Hannibal lose the Second Punic War?" I was pointed in the direction of F.J. Lazenby's article on Hannibal's cavalry commander who suggested that the great general knew how to win battles but did not know how to use victories.

Compared to his work, 'Hannibal's War' which is very tough going for anyone be you amateur historian or full blown enthusiast, "Was Maharbal right?" is far easier to read. There are parts that IMO go a bit off subject and in the end I feel that Lazenby sits on the fence and doesn't answer his own question posed in the title, but it was a pivotal work in my reading and I cannot criticise Lazenby for his conclusion as even after 6,000 words I couldn't come to any really solid conclusions either...