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The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Penguin Classics) Paperback – Abridged, January 1, 2001

by David P. Womersley (Adapter, Introduction), Edward Gibbon (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 545 ratings
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Edward Gibbon's six-volume History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1776-88) is among the most magnificent and ambitious narratives in European literature. Its subject is the fate of one of the world's greatest civilizations over thirteen centuries - its rulers, wars and society, and the events that led to its disastrous collapse. Here, in volumes three and four, Gibbon vividly recounts the waves of barbarian invaders under commanders such as Alaric and Attila, who overran and eventually destroyed the West. He then turns his gaze to events in the East, where even the achievements of the Byzantine emperor Justinian and the campaigns of the brilliant military leader Belisarius could not conceal the fundamental weaknesses of their empire.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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  1. Print length
    795 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Classics
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2001
  5. Grade level
    12 and up
  6. Reading age
    18 years and up
  7. Dimensions
    7.76 x 5.08 x 1.98 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    0140437649
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0140437645
  10. Lexile measure
    1230L
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edward Gibbon was born in 1737 in Putney, England, and was the only child of his parents to survive infancy. Although his education was frequently interrupted by ill health, his knowledge was far-reaching. His brief career as an undergraduate at Magdalen College, Oxford, ended when he joined the Catholic Church. His father sent him to Lausanne, in Switzerland, where, while studying Greek and French for the next five years, he re-joined the Protestant Church. In 1761 he published his Essai sur l'étude de la Littérature; the English version appeared in 1764. Meanwhile, Gibbon served as a captain in the Hampshire Militia until 1763, when he returned to the Continent. It was while he was in Rome in 1764 that he first conceived the work that was eventually to become The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

 

In 1774, after the death of his father, Gibbon settled in London and was elected to Parliament where he sat for the next eight years, although he never once spoke in the Commons. He also took his place among the literary circles of London. The first volume of his famous History was published in 1776; it was highly praised for its learning and style but incurred some censure for its treatment of the early Christians. The second and third volumes appeared in 1781 and the final three, which were written in Lausanne, in 1788. He died while on a visit to his friend, Lord Sheffield, who posthumously edited Gibbon's autobiographical papers and published them in 1796.

David Womersley teaches at Jesus College, Oxford, and edited Gibbon's The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire for Penguin Classics.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Classics; Abridged edition (January 1, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 795 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140437649
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140437645
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1230L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 12 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.76 x 5.08 x 1.98 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 545 ratings

About the author

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Edward Gibbon

Edward Gibbon

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Edward Gibbon (/ˈɡɪbən/; 8 May 1737 – 16 January 1794) was an English historian and Member of Parliament. His most important work, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, was published in six volumes between 1776 and 1788. The Decline and Fall is known for the quality and irony of its prose, its use of primary sources, and its open criticism of organized religion.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Joshua Reynolds [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
545 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the content great and easy to follow. They also say the book is worth reading. Opinions are mixed on the writing style, with some finding it exceptionally well written and others finding it unreadable, verbose, and bland.

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27 customers mention "Content"23 positive4 negative

Customers find the book's content great for better understanding the foundations of physical and political western societies. They also say it contains an enormous amount of content and value for just 99 cents. Readers also mention that the book is complex but quick, and an amazing compilation of the works of Edward Gibbon in an easy to read paperback. They describe the book as a gigantic library of important history, full of trenchant personal observations, and a beautiful book.

"...His analysis is insightful, his sources plentiful and diverse and his prose is witty and entertaining...." Read more

"...sentence and paragraph are carefully constructed and chock full of meaningful material...." Read more

"...certain chapters, and keeps a nice and steady flow of text that is easy to follow...." Read more

"...One can’t help but marvel at Gibbon’s erudition and eloquence." Read more

16 customers mention "Reading experience"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth reading, entertaining, and interesting. They also describe it as a masterful abridged edition, luxurious, and an outstanding book about Rome.

"...books on the events of the past and none have ever been this thoroughly entertaining...." Read more

"...For Gibbon's prose alone, however, this is worth reading." Read more

"...A truly luxurious experience. That said, I offer the following caution to anyone who thinks of this version as comprising "only the good parts."..." Read more

"...Other than being marvelous entertainment, the larger takeaway is that "The History" provides enormous insight into the vicissitudes of..." Read more

26 customers mention "Writing style"11 positive15 negative

Customers are mixed about the writing style. Some find the book exceptionally well written, with archaic prose and trenchant personal observations. They also appreciate the witty turns in the sentences and erudite descriptions. However, some find the text more or less unreadable, not for the casual reader, and contains frequent typos and abbreviations.

"Gads is this tome difficult to read! Evelyn Wood speed reading graduates, prepare to hit a speed bump with this one...." Read more

"...is insightful, his sources plentiful and diverse and his prose is witty and entertaining...." Read more

"...The abbreviation is problematic at times .At times there is a lack of continuity that is confusing.This is a price i had to pay...." Read more

"...; essential elements of certain chapters, and keeps a nice and steady flow of text that is easy to follow...." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

C.H. Estabrook
5.0 out of 5 stars READ HIM!
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2013
Verified Purchase
I purchased this book for a class I am taking that has finally required me to read something that has long been on my too long list of books that must be read. Gibbon's treatment of the fall of the Roman Empire is legendary, and there is little need for me to sing his praises. But I am going to do so regardless.

I will say this, as a student of classical and medieval history and an avid reader of all things historical I have read countless books on the events of the past and none have ever been this thoroughly entertaining. His analysis is insightful, his sources plentiful and diverse and his prose is witty and entertaining. He does not shy away from the difficult and controversial subjects (ie the rise of Christianity and the problems it posed for the Roman Empire), something which I find extremely refreshing.

This abridgment is a very good introduction. It hit's on the main points and gives brief overviews of the chapters occluded in order to maintain the information and tone of a six volume work within one easily manageable book. The one complaint I have thus far is the decision to leave out the chapters on Constantine, who was such a pivotal figure in the decline of the Roman Empire.

This book also has additional relevance. When reading history it is almost impossible to avoid drawing parallels between days long gone and the things occurring all around you, and never has the parallel between two times been more vivid for me than when reading Gibbon. I firmly believe that every politician and policy maker, every general and statesmen should read this work.

This version has successfully done at least one thing, it has convinced me beyond a shade of a doubt that I will be reading the entirety of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire as soon as I can find the time.

I will leave you all with this:

After more than 200 years Gibbon's work stands firm as a concrete analysis of the causal factors leading to the downfall of the Roman Empire, it is hard to think of another work that has that kind of staying power.

To any other students of history, whether you be a student in practice or in hobby, READ GIBBON!
31 people found this helpful
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xman12stlouis
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly difficult to read and absorb - but try anyway!
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
Gads is this tome difficult to read! Evelyn Wood speed reading graduates, prepare to hit a speed bump with this one. Every sentence and paragraph are carefully constructed and chock full of meaningful material. It might help too if you were born in the eighteenth century to get some context.

HDFRE is a foot note laden, side margined notes spectacle. It will take you longer to check and absorb references than it will to read the main text! And this edition is a heavily edited and abridged version. 700 pages of classic text and opaque reasoning that thankfully concludes with a well reasoned conclusion as to the 4 or 5 observed causes of the roof caving in on the fun loving Romans and Italians of the era.

All that said it is a classic and ought to be read by anyone seeking not only a perspective on the mid to late single digit centuries in Europe and its surrounds, but also one highly relevant to the American glory. Many warnings for us all here. Will history repeat?

The author is quite a rogue. Late in life he was honored with an assignment to Parliament, and in the eight years he served - he not once rose to be recognized or to speak! He was probably worn out from this project - an epic, multi volume tale of human advancement and decline.
34 people found this helpful
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Paul Krause
4.0 out of 5 stars A masterful abridged edition
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2014
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It should be noted, for those who are interesting in buying this book because they've heard of Edward Gibbon, his work The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, and his important contributions to modern historiography - that this is an abridged version of his masterpiece. You can find the complete set, unabridged, elsewhere on amazon (and that is highly recommended if you're interested in Enlightenment historiography or wish to have the full text of his magnum opus).

As for this abridged version, I purchased it out of convenience. Comparing this version to Gibbon's original unedited text, I think Mr. Womersley (the editor) had done a very good job in abridging Gibbon's work - staying true to his prose, keeping the "most" essential elements of certain chapters, and keeps a nice and steady flow of text that is easy to follow. As far as abridged versions go, I do not think you can go wrong this version. Just be aware, that this is not the complete text of Gibbon's work. Mr. Womersley keeps entire chapters (a few of the more important chapters that set the style of Gibbon's prose) and creatively weaves the rest of the chapters together in an honest, and true to form manner. While it can be heavy reading at times, instead of spending months (like myself) in slogging through Gibbon's entirety, you can - if you really push yourself, probably get through this book in a little over a week.

Although some of Gibbon's assessments have been rejected by contemporary Byzantinists (those who study/write Byzantine history), his work remains as one of the seminal reads on the subject and a pure example of Whig historiographical bias. Over 200 years since its publication, contemporary historians are still writing in reaction to Gibbon's classic even if most of Gibbon's assertions and statements are no longer held to be accurate or useful. For Gibbon's prose alone, however, this is worth reading.
87 people found this helpful
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Harold Tichenor
5.0 out of 5 stars A LONG BUT WORTHWHILE READ
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2024
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Six months of nightly reading. An overwhelming cast of characters. One can’t help but marvel at Gibbon’s erudition and eloquence.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

CESAR MARTINEZ
1.0 out of 5 stars Used and damaged book, not new
Reviewed in Mexico on March 6, 2023
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It is a used book. Sold as “new”. Looking for a discount.
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CESAR MARTINEZ
1.0 out of 5 stars Used and damaged book, not new
Reviewed in Mexico on March 6, 2023
It is a used book. Sold as “new”. Looking for a discount.
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Augusto
5.0 out of 5 stars Know what are you getting into.
Reviewed in Italy on April 11, 2021
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Challenging book but still important to read. Incredible writing by Gibbons, a true masterpiece of English literature. I won’t suggest this as a first lecture on Roman history. Look for a in-detail review if you wish to make the decision of purchasing a this book.
One person found this helpful
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Razvan
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
Reviewed in France on June 8, 2020
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Great book!
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shufti
5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of English.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2017
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Published in 1776 when the midday sun was approaching on Britain's empire. A commanding time in British history and perhaps also a time when someone could take command of the story of Rome like The Master of a ancient ship. It is the utmost confidence of the prose style that is inspiring and compelling - you want to believe in what he is saying wether it is true or not. And most of it is still beyond doubt even today. Who cares - what an amazing story and what a wonderful way to discover the power of language.
7 people found this helpful
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Joy
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in India on August 16, 2017
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