Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Civilization, Western    3. History    4. History: World    5. Humanism    6. Non-Classifiable    7. Nonfiction    8. Textbooks    9. History / World   

Reviews (47)

Cahill's Erudition is a Pleasure
Most educated people have some idea about the important contributions the Greeks have made to Western Civilization.We usually learn of their deeds in a hodge podge fashion.We learn about Pythagoras in Geometry Class or Socrates or Plato in an Introduction to Philosophy class.We know the Greeks are important but most of us know this in a scattered sort of way.
Disappointing and Unconvincing
I thoroughly enjoyed the author's earlier work on how the Irish saved civilization.But this book was a disappointing compendium of Greek myths, legends and history that never reveals a plan behind the book.Taken in its subparts, many sections are engagingly informative in an elegant if sometimes pretentious prose.Yet the author ambles from here to there in a disjointed narrative with interesting nuggets but little insight.Where's the big picture?The author attempts to wrap it up at the end with a sentence about the Greeks' "variety of human response, lightening quick transmutations, resourcefulness, and inexhaustible creativity."
A Good Read, but...
Not as concise and tightly written as Cahill's other works on Judaism, Christianity and the Irish. Not a bad starting point on the Greeks, yet seemed confused and disorganized at times. Still, many bright spots and certainly worth a look and 4 stars. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Greece    2. Civilization    3. History    4. History & Surveys - Ancient & Classical    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. World - General    8. History / Ancient / Greece   

Reviews (2)

A Wide Range of Sources
Finding translated sources in the ancient world is becoming ever easier -- especially thanks to the World Wide Web.However, even with everything out there, I still find this text to be the gold standard for an introductory ancient history survey.The selections are well organized (both thematically and chronologically).They offers readers a glimpse not only into the important military and political events of the ancient past, but also the social, cultural, religious, worlds of the men and women who lived in ancient times. Not terribly impressed by selections
One of the most difficult things about teaching ancient history is either the lack of textbooks for students or the lack of really good textbooks.For a long time, Nagle's survey books were the only ones available.This is not true for the "readings" book that is written to accompany his survey book.Overall the selections are rather haphazard -- they are organized both thematically and chronologically but not culturally or geographical.Some of the entries are great but many are far too brief to be of real use to students.There are many "source" books for ancient history but they all have this same problem.Ultimately I suspect that most instructors will spend time creating course packets than relying on these source books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Ancient World History    3. Civilization    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History, Ancient    7. History: World    8. Social History    9. Sources    10. History / General   

Reviews (37)

A summary of the Earth Chronicles
Sitchin's series of books is time consuming to read. However, this book is a very nice summary of his theories. He summarizes much of what takes pages and pages to present in the books of the Earth Chronicles series. Not sure as to the validity of Sitchin's assertions, but they sure are interesting. Faithful Christians will probably find this book blasphemous. Free thinkers will enjoy it a great deal!!

90 % good book
90% of this book is good info the bibical genesis info is wrong and man being genetically altered from a already pre-existing evolved cromagnan man is far fecthed..sitchin is on to alot of right things. worth the read!!!!!!! make your ownconclusions for how things began. another angle piece to the puzzle of life..

Best Of Sitchin, the Highlights,should be subtitle
Begin at the beginning, is a good general rule, which this book follows. Also, I happened to read this book before the author's earlier books, which I read later, out of linear sequence. If you are a student of the Bible, or history in general, this book is like having an encyclopedic cliff note version and speaks to the who, what, where of ancient history on eridu (earth)...at least from the Sumerian perspective, the culture that apparently
Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Civilization, Ancient    3. Cosmogony    4. Extraterrestrial influences    5. Interplanetary voyages    6. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    7. Science/Mathematics    8. UFOs & Extraterrestrials    9. Body, Mind & Spirit / General    10. Controversial Knowledge & Mysteries    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques   

Reviews (25)

I Just Don't Know
Undoubtedly, Fell was a gifted and brilliant scholar who distinguished himself in a number of disciplines.Just as obvious, the author took huge leaps of faith when arriving at some of his faulty conclusions. I found myself both intrigued and disappointed with Fell's work.
Ancient Mysteries
I first read Barry Fell's America B.C. many years ago as a teenager, and being lucky enough to live in Vermont, have visited various ancient sites here and in New Hampshire.Even if you are skeptical after reading this book, at least let it be a jumping off point to read and discover more about this intriguing subject.Another short, but wonderful book is "New England's Ancient Mysteries" by Robert Ellis Cahill.I picked this up at America's Stonehenge in Salem, NH and am anxious to visit some of the other sites outlined in this book.Also visit www.neara.org for more information on New England Antiquities.It truly is in your own backyard!!

A Shame Nobody Has Carried the Torch on This Research
"The fact that all of the modern American nations are a result --in different degrees--, of the cultural and biological symbiosis between the populations of the Old World and Pre-Hispanic America, makes the search for the beginnings of this transcendental and still ongoing process an anthropological exercise that does not lack either sense or relevance." - Romeo H. Hristov
Read more

Subjects:  1. America    2. Ancient - General    3. Discovery and exploration    4. General    5. History - General History    6. History: American    7. Inscriptions    8. Inscriptions, Irish    9. North American    10. Pre-Columbian    11. United States    12. American history: pre-Columbian period, BCE to c 1500    13. Literary Criticism & Collections / General    14. North America   

Reviews (7)

A well written 200+ page overview
This book is a survey of the main themes in ancient history.It is not, and obviously is not meant to be, a detailed history.It provides a good overview for the casual reader, and a basic foundation for those wanting to learn more.I disagree with the reviews that state the book is inaccurate or a waste of time.

This review is of the 3rd edition
...The 3rd edition is a very, very good summary of the key contributions made to Western Civilization by the various ancient civilizations, with emphasis on the Greeks and Romans, but also covers the Mesopotamian, Egyption, and Persian civilizations. Save yourself 40 bucks!!
I am an avid reader/student of history.This book is horrible!Hollister's work reads more like a book of fiction than an accurate account of hisorical facts.His arguements are not based on any documentation, citation, or anything else.His accounts of history seem to be based soley on his opinion.If I had paid [money] for this book I would have been thoroughly disappointed but at [the price], I feel ripped off!This book is a very, very, very quick gloss over of world history.If you are considering using this book for teaching purposes... DO NOT!Your students deserve more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Europe - General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History, Ancient    6. History: World    7. World - General   

Reviews (13)

So-so history.
Forbidden History edited by J. Douglas Kenyon feels very much like a bunch of people tooting their own horns.Not that some of it wasn't interesting - the questions they ask about prehistory, the origins of civilization and the technologies of the past need to be answered.Yet when whole chapters deal with such subjects as Darwin's missing link between apes and men (which is a creation, a myth, of the media and has nothing to do with Darwinism), aliens breeding with mankind and the lost city of Atlantis (or cities as everybody seems to think it is somewhere else) it is hard to take seriously.One chapter says there is proof that there was no ice age but there really were floods when another chapter uses the ice age as part of their arguments.In other words they embrace facts that help them and dismiss facts that don't - just what they say the other mainstream scientists are doing.
A lot of great theories!!
There is a LOT of great things in this book.
Great fiction
There's nothing really scientific on this book. It's only a great fiction work really. Almost comic most of the time. Have that in mind when you read it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Civilization, Ancient    4. Controversial Knowledge    5. Extraterrestrial influences    6. Mythical Civilizations    7. New Age    8. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    9. UFOs & Extraterrestrials    10. Controversial Knowledge & Mysteries    11. History / Ancient / General    12. Mind, Body, Spirit   

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Government - Comparative    3. History    4. Interior Design - General    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Law    7. Law, Ancient    8. Library & Information Science    9. Middle East    10. Politics / Current Events   

Reviews (9)

Heavy philosophical discourse, but very worthy for serious readers
Intellectuals "are always inclined to judge their country and its institutions by comparing present realitities with theoretical ideals rather than with other realitities." It's evocative of "...the monumental impatience of intellectuals with human complexity and imperfection," and the inability to (quoting from the intro by H. Mansfield) "appreciate the inevitability of partisanship; hence they do not understand politics." But one does not understand politics until one sees that it is a permanent feature of human life, and that it defines human imperfection as the striving for perfection of beings incapable of it."After all, man (as in people-kind) is not God. But for those without any faith in a higher being it is far easier to imagine the feasibility of utopian perfection on earth. Marxism is a 'religion' that supplants religion (& faith in a higher being) and "marxism is in itself a synthesis of all the principal themes of progressive thought." So, it does not beg credulity to see why intellectuals (inclined to "progressive" beliefs & less inclined to be religious---in a traditional sense) imagine anything to be possibile.And it explains why many such people excused away the "terrorism erected into a system of government" in the Soviet Union utilizing a belief that any "progressive" government must be given the benefit of any possible doubts: such is the faith of progressives, easily inebriated on great collective utopian schemes.People are imperfect, though, are they not?Yet intellectuals (far more prone than workers or oppressed minorities) are "merciless toward the failings of democracies but ready to tolerate the worst crimes as long as they are committed in the name of the proper doctrines."It's an inclination that betrays a penchant for aristocratic values and contempt for average people. A little historical context: After the fall of the aristocratic French monarchy "the revolutionary fervour...split into two separate channels, nationalist and socialist," but "the nationalist ideology is nonetheless condemned in Western Europe."After all,how can European 'powers' "get excited about the temporal grandeur of a collectivity which is incapable of manufacturing its own arms" or unwilling to do so.It is much more economical to free-ride off 'nationalist' America, bemoan such a self-imposed predicament, and channel their frustrations into socialist collectivity.Progresive intellectuals in America (who see the proverbial glass more than half-empty) are no different and "are more pained than simpler mortals by the hegemony of the United States."To quote General Wesley Clark, of all people (though many have said this): "people have an instinctive need to feel a part of something greater than themselves."Citizenship in "a second-class nation state [ie., any European state] is not an adequate framework for full human expression," Aron posits.Hence the increased level of anti-Americanism since the defeat of the USSR (a campaign Europe was very much an important contributing part of) & European intellectual elites frantic drive to federally collectivise their continent despite their citizens' mixed inclinations on the matter.So much for the here-&-now-ideals of democracy when judged against the 'limitless' possibilities of the future. Fair warning PS: This very worthy book, like many philosophical works, is heavy reading at times.An example of the author's writing style: "A pseudo-unity is obtained by subordinating the specific meaning of each spiritual universe to the social fuction which is assigned to it, by setting up equivocal or false propositions as the basis of a doctrine which is alleged to be at once scientific and philosophical." (06Jul) Cheers!

A great book about one secular religion.
I read this book here in Brazil, some years ago.Writen in 1955, this books showed the socialim's frauds, in a time who was fashion to be a marxist even in France.
A book against all extremists
Raymond Aron's famous work is more relevant than ever before. His basic thesis is that intellectuals and politicians should dare to question and even destroy their ideology, if it drives them to do things which they accuse their ideological "opponents" of doing.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. Communism and intellectuals    3. France    4. General    5. Intellectual History    6. Intellectual life    7. Intellectuals    8. Political Ideologies - Communism & Socialism    9. Right and left (Political scie    10. Right and left (Political science)    11. Social Science    12. Sociology    13. Sociology - General    14. Political Science / History & Theory    15. Political science & theory   

Reviews (6)

Great Companion For Anyone Looking Into Greek & Roman Myth
If you love the pioneering work on mythology done by Edith Hamilton, then this book is a necessary companion for you. Although she always covered the figures and places fairly well, obviously it becomes simpler when you have a dictionary beside you as an extra source (and at times the one and only) pointing us all in the right direction. If Greek and Roman mythology have ever stumped you beyond what you thought was repair, I promise that this book has the potential to clear that obscurity up. And look at the used price, you can actually AFFORD it, too! YAY! So if you want to better understand Hamilton, or even Joe Campbell, purchase this buddy. It's well worth the investment! Enjoy!

Exactly what I needed!
This book has one thing most (as far as I can tell) classical mythology references don't have: PRONUNCIATION for every entry. It's clear and complete, with even obscure references, and includes main sources. the neatest mythology resource I own
Whenever I want to know about anyone from Greek or Roman mythology, this is the first book I grab.They're all listed alphabetically & there is a satisfyingly concise description of each.Entries tend to be so short that this book is by no means the only one to read about mythology in, but it's an indispensible place to start. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiquities & Archaeology    2. Dictionaries    3. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    4. General    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. Mythology    7. Mythology, Classical    8. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (2)

Man's origins and developments for the general reader
Man's innate curiosity with their past has given birth to sciences that attempt to satisfy such curiosity. Brian Fagan, an archaeologist himself, outlines brilliantly the major developments of humankind in prehistory, from that scientific perspective. Sophisticated theories and tools from disciplines such archaeology, biology, ecology, geology and even genetics and psychology are elaborated for the general reader. Utilising such diversity of disciplines, World Prehistory introduces to the reader, the developments of humankind- the origins, exodus and migration of man, food production and state formation- from the earliest times especially before written records were available. A very decent book
This book is not designed for the hardcore anthropology student as it doesn't delve into the extreme details of the subject, but it does give a very broad overview of the millions of years of human prehistory.Most ofthe time is spent talking about the journey from ape-like ancestors to theorigin of food production and the large state-run societies that we havetoday.Therefore, when Fagan talks about specific cultures and societieshe just gives an overview, he chooses to put most details to use describingwhy and how humans got to where they are today.Very good book is you wantan effective and interesting introduction to human origins, but this isn'tsomething that would be used for a 300 or 400 level class. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Anthropology - General    3. Anthropology, Prehistoric    4. Antiquities, Prehistoric    5. General    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Human evolution    10. Prehistoric Anthropology    11. Prehistoric peoples    12. Prehistory    13. World - General    14. Social Science / Anthropology / General    15. World history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Editorial Review

Tibetan Buddhism has one of the most complex iconographies of any religion. Robert Beer, the artist who brought to life the saints of Tibetan Buddhism in Read more

Reviews (13)

read Dagyab Rinpoche's Buddhist Symbols in Tibetan Culture
It's a more interesting and authoritative reference for this subject matter. This is due to Rinpoche being a qualified (I emphasise the word 'qualified') Lama and Tibetan scholar. Also at no point does Rinpoche compromise Tibetan Buddhism by giving away restricted information.

The 'Wonderful' Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs!!!
I love this book. Having found it a few years back at a tattoo shop in Santa Cruz, California, I was only able to look at it for a short time but I was able to gain so much knowledge as to the wealth of designs and deep meaning found in Tibetan art. This book stayed in my mind thereafter. Here it is a few years and a couple tattoos later and the book resurfaced on Amazon. Great price, great condition and prompt service.This book is great for one who has interest in Tibetan art and it's symbolic nature.The concepts are well articulated and with each 'type' placed into a different chapter it makes refrencing quite simple. If you are interested, get this book!

Great book
Great book, with lots of details. If you are interested in tibetan handicrafts, here you can get any tibetan design you can imagine. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient Oriental Art    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Art, Tibetan    5. Buddhism - General    6. China    7. Criticism    8. Eastern - General    9. General    10. History - General    11. Religion And Art    12. Symbolism in art    13. Themes, motives    14. Tibet    15. ASIA    16. Religion / Buddhism    17. Sign languages, Braille & other linguistic communication    18. Tibetan   

Subjects:  1. 1613-1917    2. Asia - China    3. China    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Mongols    8. Qing dynasty, 1644-1912    9. Russia    10. Asian / Middle Eastern history: c 1500 to c 1900    11. History / China    12. c 1600 to c 1700    13. c 1700 to c 1800   

Reviews (8)

Good book for a student
This is an excellent book for a student of archaeological methods.If you are looking for light reading, as some of the earlier reviews must have been, then look somewhere else.

Fantastic Book
Fantastic book! Very clear and very comprehensive. If you are serious about archaeology, you'll enjoy this book. If you're a hobbyist or have comprehension issues, you might not enjoy it. Highly recommended.

An archaeological field school in a book.
This is a comprehensive text book, not of the "Archaeology for Dummies" variety.More than a couple universities use this book as their standard text for senior level courses in archaeological field methods.Be prepared to learn rather than entertained...it's a serious work.As for the writing style, most text books could stand to be re-written by some best-selling author, but had to give this one five stars just to bring its score up from the absurd two and a half it is currently rated at. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeological Methodology    3. Archaeology    4. Archaeology / Anthropology    5. Field work    6. History: World    7. Life Sciences - Biophysics    8. Science    9. Archaeological methodology & techniques    10. Social Science / Archaeology   

Reviews (10)

Essential Resource.
Walter Burket's "Greek Religion" is an intense survey of Hellenistic religious beliefs from their earliest Minoan and Mycennean antecedents.This review will summarize the material contained within the study, extrapolate the central themes of the text, and finally shall offer an analysis of the text with regard to its presentation of data, use of archaeological and primary sources, and its intended audience.
Reading the book is a devotion to Athena
Burkert leaves no stones unturned in this survey of Greek religion.Everything you would want to know about religion is covered here.Topics include the manifold origins of Hellenic religion; a detailed discussion of the innumerable divinities who constitute the actual focus of the religion; cults, rituals, sacrifices, temples and the like; and finally the impact of the philosophical schools.As a reference and research material it is currently second to none.
The Perfect Handbook
Burkert's Greek Religion is the perfect handbook for any serious student of archaic and classical Greek religion. Burkert is a thorough scholar, and treats the diverse and complex problem of Greek religion from its Minoan-Mycenaean precursors through the esoteric Mysteries. Burkert cleanly and succinctly addresses Greek ritual practices and provides accurate and enlighteningRead more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Greece    2. Antiquities & Archaeology    3. Greece    4. History - General History    5. Religion    6. Ancient Greece    7. Ancient Greek religion    8. Religion / General   

Reviews (27)

History of Greco-Persian War
As the title of my review says, this book is a very well written history of the whole war, not just Thermopylae.The reason I stress this is that when I first read this book, I was disappointed since I had just read "the Greco-Persian Wars" by Peter Green, and had picked this one up hoping to get more detailed insights on the battle at the pass as the title suggested.Alas, t'was not to be.Apparently, Green's history pretty much covers everything this one does, and in pretty much the same way.Both books even draw similiar conclusions when evidence is scanty.This happened so much that I was suspicious at first that one was basically paraphrasing the other.Don't misunderstand, you can't go wrong with either book, but if you have one, there is absolutely no reason to have the other.Which one is better?They both cover the same ground in the same chronological order.They're both about the same length. Green's book MAYBE goes into SLIGHTLY more detail while this one may be a TAD more fluidly written, so flip a coin.
Iran
This book is true super exaggeration of how great were the Spartan. History could not deny the fact that the King of kings Xerxes was defeated. However, even after defeat Greek had to pay tribute to Persian/ancient Iran king/s. The Sparatn won the battle by mere luck of throwing a rock and hiting the main commander. As a result, Iranian army lost their command and had to retreat.

Fine book for the general reader
After reading Peter Green's book on the Greek-Persian Wars I decided to read this book to learn more specifically about Thermopylae. What I found is a book that basically tells the same story that Green told only simplified and more for the general reader than academic. The title is misleading as several other reviewers have noted. Although given the fact that there are few known facts about the battle, this is not surprising. It has also been my experience in dealing with publishers that is sometimes the publisher and not the author that selects the title.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Greece    2. Ancient Greece - History    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. History: World    6. Military - General    7. Military History - Ancient    8. Ancient Greece    9. Battles & campaigns    10. European history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Reviews (5)

Very adequate
An appreciation of the history, political climate, trends, and just plain way of life of persons and generations of the times of the Bible is important in the understanding of the potence of the main thrust of it.One needs to ensure that he/she is taking everything within context and divine guidance in his/her quest to understand the Bible with a derived main motive of being more of an accurate servant to God.
This Books Takes You into The Biblical World
This book walks you through the streets of Jerusalem in the time of Jesus and helps you to appreciate what family and social and cultural life was like. You also get to walk with the apostle Paul through the streets of Ephesus and Colosse.
Excellent Bible Resource
Have you ever read the Bible and wondered why a character did or said something a certain way or why certain events took place the way they did?Like, for instance, why did Ruth lay beside Boaz's feet on the threshing floor or why did Matthew become a tax collector, and why was he so despised?Learning the cultural significance of certain things enriches one's Bible study. If you are not one to just read the Bible, but are dedicated to serious and in-depth Bible study, then this book is a must-have. Knowing the backstory of the people in the Bible lands of Mesopotamia, Syria, Egypt, etc., their cultural habits, and the way they lived their daily lives helps to illuminate the scriptures. For example, in the 4th chapter of the Book of John when Jesus has a conversation with the Samaritan woman, we know by the woman's statement that there was tension between Jews and Samaritans for the woman was surprised that Jesus asked her for a drink of water since the "Jews have no dealings with Samaritans."However, the text doesn't go into detail about why this tension exists, but referencing Nelson's Bible Customs and Manners will tell you that because the Samaritans were taken captive by the Assyrians, they intermarried and adopted many pagan beliefs leading to enmity between the Samaritans and the Jews.This book is an invaluable resource for learning not only the customs and manners of certain groups, but it also presents exciting articles about the political landscape, wars and captivity, socio-economic conditions, how different cultures evolved, and the impact all of this had on God's people and His purposes. It is not laid out in dictionary format; it's more encyclopedic and has a wonderful and comprehensive index.Also, the photographs are very useful and very well-placed throughout the book.This book will certainly help to increase your understanding and appreciation of the Bible. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - Reference - General    3. History of Biblical events    4. Religion    5. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    6. Social scientific criticism    7. Archeology    8. Cultural studies    9. Handbooks    10. Manners & Customs    11. Religion / Bible / Study / Manners & Customs    12. Social history    13. The Bible    14. World history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (10)

the answers at last
this is what I have been looking for my whole life , the wisdom from enlightened persons .
The Mayan Oracle
Fantastic book and oracle cards! Really find them insightful for personal development. They speak from the aspect of higher guidance for your life. I could relate to them and enjoyed using them!

Different, Helpful, Insightful, and Transcendental
I agree that the older hard cover is my favorite.But the newer set is still wonderful.The cards reach out and ignite symbols held in my memory that are univeral and archtypica in nature.The information is poetic and allows the right brain to flow into a new way of seeing the universe.In this time of great transformation it is a must.As a professional psychic I use this deck every day with my clients. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Divination    3. Divination - Tarot    4. Mayan languages    5. New Age    6. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    7. Spiritual life    8. Voyages to the otherworld    9. Writing    10. Argüelles, José    11. Body, Mind & Spirit / Tarot    12. Fortune-telling & divination   

Reviews (13)

Excelent
I really like this book and i think the translator is really skilled but the thing that kinda bothers me is that...i think i would probably understand the book better if it was in its orginal language. But for what it is, its excellent!

Great Surprise
The book was received promptly and in the best and newest condition one could expect. Price was most convenient. I will continue shopping for historical books at Amazon; you are amazing!!! Thank you for the great and secure service.

It is not about Josephus..
but about the edition itself.I found it a little bit difficult to read due to the size and style of the fonts.but otherwise Josephus is Josephus - you cannot beat that. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. History    3. History Of Jews    4. Jews    5. Judaism - History    6. Rebellion, 66-73    7. Reference    8. Religion    9. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    10. To 70 A.D    11. Jewish studies    12. Other prose: classical, early & medieval   

Reviews (8)

A Standard, Like it or not
Gibbon must be taken in the context of his time - his writing style, his prejudices, and his occasional lapse into sermonizing. His style is to say in 30-words what others would say in less than 10. His prejudices are many but one that seems to permeate most is the over-emphasis on the western empire at the expense of the east. It is as if the eastern empire did not survive another millennia after the fall of the west.But given difficult reading and language constructs and the slanted views, a greater work on the subject of the western empire probably does not exist. It is an essential though somewhat distasteful standard for anyone interested in Roman history.As yet, there is nothing comparable in scope for the western empire.For abalanced and more readable coverage of the east, I would highly recommend supplementing with the works of John Julius Norwich.

a necessary evil for self-education, I guess
There are three things to know about this book.It was written at about the same time America's Founding Fathers were writing the Constitution.Gibbon uses the EXTREMELY flowerly, convoluted, difficult prose of the time.Use the "look inside" feature, if you can.This is DIFFICULT reading.So, someone trying to learn about history might despair that it's hard to actually swallow the concepts because of the diffucult language.
The English Language Doesn't Get Much Better
Gibbon was a master of the English language. He wanted to write something great, and he achieved it. No serious student of history should miss reading this masterpiece. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Rome    2. Ancient Rome - History    3. General    4. Gibbon, Edward, 1737-1794    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. History / General