
An abridged edition of Edward Gibbon's THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE & FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE which compresses thirteen turbulent centuries into a single epic narrative Famously sceptical about Christianity unexpectedly sympathetic to the barbarian invaders & the Byzantine Empire constantly aware of how political leaders often achieve the exact opposite of what they intend Gibbon was both alert to the broad pattern of events & the significant revealing detail Attacked for its enlightened views on politics sexuality & religion the first volume was none the less soon to be found 'on every table' & was widely acclaimed for the elegance of its prose Gripping powerfully intelligent & wonderfully entertaining THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE & FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE ranks as one of the literary masterpieces of its age