The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Volume 1 (Part 2 of 2) (Library Edition) [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Edward Gibbon (Author), Bernard Mayes (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997

[This is Part 2 of a 2 part audiobook Cassette library bound edition of Volume 1.]

Considered one of the finest historical works in the English language, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is lauded for its graceful, elegant prose style as much as for its epic scope. Remarkably accurate for its day, Gibbon's treatise holds a high place in the history of literature and remains an enduring subject of study.

Gibbon's monumental work traces the history of more than thirteen centuries, covering the great events as well as the general historical progression. This FIRST VOLUME covers A.D. 180 to A.D. 395, which includes the establishment of Christianity and the Crusades.

(Volume One: Part Two has 13 cassettes.)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

EDWARD GIBBON (1737-1794), an English historian and Member of Parliament, had little formal education. He went to Oxford, but was forced to leave when he converted to Roman Catholicism. His family then sent him to Lausanne, where he was reconverted to Protestantism. His most important work, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, was published in six volumes between 1776 and 1788.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.; Unabridged edition (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786103132
• ISBN-13: 978-0786103133
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,077,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tiptoe in, December 17, 2008

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Daniel N. Copp (Garrison, MD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Volume 1 (Part 2 of 2) (Library Edition) (Audio CD)

Everyone with even the slightest interest in the history of the Roman Empire should at least tiptoe into Gibbon. I had intended to test the waters for at least a decade, so when the demands of routine work subsided somewhat, I bought the first volume. That effort wasn't successful. Too deep: I just wasn't ready for such serious material, especially after eight in the evening. So retreating to warmer, shallower waters, I purchased the unabridged CD, and once attuned to the pretentious accent of the reader, I was captivated by Gibbon's astounding erudition and literary passion. Now that I've finished the first volume, I'll go back and read the most interesting chapters, especially Gibbon's analysis of early Christianity from Constantine through Julian.