The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Modern Library Classics) [Paperback]

Edward Gibbon (Author), Hans-Friedrich Mueller (Editor), Gian Battista Piranesi (Illustrator), Daniel J. Boorstin (Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0375758119 | ISBN-13: 978-0375758119 | Publication Date: August 12, 2003 | Edition: Modern Library

Gibbon’s masterpiece, which narrates the history of the Roman Empire from the second century a.d. to its collapse in the west in the fifth century and in the east in the fifteenth century, is widely considered the greatest work of history ever written. This abridgment retains the full scope of the original, but in a compass equivalent to a long novel. Casual readers now have access to the full sweep of Gibbon’s narrative, while instructors and students have a volume that can be read in a single term. This unique edition emphasizes elements ignored in all other abridgments—in particular the role of religion in the empire and the rise of Islam.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

British parliamentarian and soldier Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) conceived of his plan for Decline and Fall while "musing amid the ruins of the Capitol" on a visit to Rome. For the next 10 years he worked away at his great history, which traces the decadence of the late empire from the time of the Antonines and the rise of Western Christianity. "The confusion of the times, and the scarcity of authentic memorials, pose equal difficulties to the historian, who attempts to preserve a clear and unbroken thread of narration," he writes. Despite these obstacles, Decline and Fall remains a model of historical exposition, and required reading for students of European history. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“[Gibbon] stood on the summit of the Renaissance achievement and looked back over the waste of history to ancient Rome, as from one mountain top to another.”—Christopher Dawson

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1312 pages
• Publisher: Modern Library; Modern Library edition (August 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375758119
• ISBN-13: 978-0375758119
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #421,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to Gibbon, June 18, 2000

By 

Susan Paxton - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

This is an excellent abridged edition of Edward Gibbon's classic "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" and it makes both a perfect introduction for those just getting into Gibbon and a useful portable copy for people who have the entire set. This abridgement includes much of Gibbon's coverage of the decline and fall of the western empire and some interesting chapters and excerpts from the remainder of the work, ideal for the general reader. Most of Gibbon's history still stands up after 200 years (and footnotes point out where it doesn't), and it is written in an absolutely gorgeous English style. Anyone interested in Rome owes it to themselves to read Gibbon, and this is a good place to get your feet wet.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bettter Than Classic! Better than Great!!, October 9, 2005

By 

MARK DIMASSIMO (New York City) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Modern Library Classics) (Paperback)

How did Gibbon do it?! This book is so good and so rich on so many levels, and the centuries have not made it any less a terrific read than it must have been when first published. There are so many reasons to read it -- I'll choose one. If you want to understand human nature in something approaching all it's depth and complexity, you can do no better than to read Gibbon's tales of what happens when a long succession of very different characters attain total dominion over the entire civilized world. The incredible variety of comedy, calamity and infamy is unmatched even in Greek Myths or the Bible, and to my mind, at least, the story telling is better.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Difficult for the modern reader, June 19, 2006

By 

Jeff W Traylor (Baton Rouge, LA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Hardcover)

While the text is exhaustive and interesting, the language and phraseology can be difficult for the modern reader. This work was written over 230 years ago and can be challenging at times. The vocabulary can leave you lost and wondering if you are missing something. But Gibbon is a gifted story teller which keeps the book interesting and brings to life numerous ancient characters. This is not a book for the faint of heart, but it is a MUST for anyone seriously interested in Roman history. If you can handle the antiquated style, the book will be a pleasure to read.