The Captains of the Roman Republic, as compared with the Great Modern Strategists; Their Campaigns, Character, and Conduct from the Punic Wars to the Death of Caesar by Herbert, Henry William - 1854

New York: Charles Scribner, 1854. First edition. BAL binding A.. Frontispiece of the Battle of Actium. 511 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Original brown cloth, covers blindstamped with an arrangement of weapons, willow-like decoration at corners. Slight scuff at head of spine, else a near fine, fresh copy, inscribed by the author on the front flyleaf. First edition. BAL binding A. Frontispiece of the Battle of Actium. 511 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Presentation Copy. Inscribed by the author on the front flyleaf:

"Robert C. Stoutenburg, from his friend the author, Henry Wm Herbert"

A choice presentation from sportsman and author Henry William Herbert (1807-1858), whose works under the pen name Frank Forester established an American tradition of sporting and outdoor writing. "In later years he turned to purely historical writings such as The Captains of the Roman Republic (1854), but his most profitable literary work was the translation of Eugène Sue and several of Alexandre Dumas's shorter novels. Buffeted by implacable and possibly dishonest creditors, Herbert relinquished his chosen 'image' of cavalier boots, spurs, and Scottish plaid shawl and preferred a semi-reclusive literary retreat at The Cedars on the Passaic River outside Newark, New Jersey" (ODNB). Van Winkle pp.49-50; BAL 8142