Told against a rich and colorful tapestry of historical accuracy this story of Agenor the Carthaginian with Hannibal's invasion of Italy is a natural for our time.  Agenor is assistant to the keeper of the elephants and goes with them from New Carthage in Spain on their exciting, fighting way over the three great mountain ranges: the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Apennines.   Setting, period and characters are of real interest in a field practically free of competition.  There are great battles and, at first, it seems the supernatural must be aiding them when there is a great earthquake.  What was it Old Anak remembered that made the General of the Purple Band determine to kill him?  What was the ring that Hannibal always wore? Why did a lake suddenly vanish in the midst of battle? How does one get out of Rome when all the many gates are barred? Some of the answers Agenor knew; others he was determined to find out.

From the dust jacket