Details Epithetical Books The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Volume 2)
| Title | : | The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Volume 2) |
| Author | : | Edward Gibbon |
| Book Format | : | Audiobook |
| Book Edition | : | Unabridged |
| Pages | : | Pages: 40 pages |
| Published | : | January 2nd 1992 by Blackstone Audio (first published 1776) |
| Categories | : | History. Nonfiction. Classics. Ancient History. Roman |
Edward Gibbon
Audiobook | Pages: 40 pages Rating: 4.25 | 787 Users | 58 Reviews
Commentary In Favor Of Books The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Volume 2)
Famous for its unflagging narrative power, fine organization, and irresistibly persuasive arguments, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire has earned a permanent place of honor in historical literature. Gibbon's elegantly detached erudition is seasoned with an ironic wit, and remarkably little of his work is outdated.This second volume covers A.D. 395 to A.D. 1185, from the reign of Justinian in the East to the establishment of the German Empire of the West. It recounts the desperate attempts to hold off the barbarians, palace revolutions and assassinations, theological controversy, and lecheries and betrayals, all in a setting of phenomenal magnificence.
(P)1992 Blackstone Audio Inc.
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Rating Epithetical Books The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Volume 2)
Ratings: 4.25 From 787 Users | 58 ReviewsWrite-Up Epithetical Books The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Volume 2)
I continue to be impressed with Gibbons ability to relate what is quoted as the most numbing part of western history with a grace and grandeur that is not only engaging but intoxicating for the reader. Throughout this second volume, Gibbon is able to once again tell both sides of the story; that which the Christian posterity emphasizes and that which takes into account the Empire as a whole. Throughout Gibbons description of the reign and posterity of Constantine, he is able to show not justVolume 2 dives heavily into the early centuries of the burgeoning church, both before and after Constantine. All fascinating, though some (especially Gibbon's exploration of the minute differences between believers of homoousian versus homoiousian) can be difficult to get through. NB: This is for volume 2 of the 6-volume Everyman box set.
Having now completed Volume 2 of my 6 Volume sojourn through Gibbon's masterpiece, I still marvel at the beauty and precision of his prose, and the depth of his erudition and research. And, oh yes, he is quite opinionated and, on occasion, witty and dryly humorous.This volume covered much of the 4th Century, approximately the period 324 - 375 AD. Though he dealt with a relatively short span of years, Gibbon went into considerable depths in a number of areas, some of which were:1. The conduct of
Well, what can I say. It's difficult to review what is generally considered perhaps the greatest, most magisterial work of history ever written. This second of three volumes is comprised of volumes 3 and 4 of the original 6 volume publication. The entire work is filled with both sweeping vistas and intimate vignettes. As one of the highlights of this volume, we are shown the life and times of Justinian and Theodora as well as the growing power (both for Good and ill) of Christianity. We are
Yeesh. This guy doesn't know when to stop. Almost literally. These four sentences, conveying my disdain for the writer of this piece, contain fewer words and express more than an average sentence from what I read of this book.
I continue to be impressed with Gibbons ability to relate what is quoted as the most numbing part of western history with a grace and grandeur that is not only engaging but intoxicating for the reader. Throughout this second volume, Gibbon is able to once again tell both sides of the story; that which the Christian posterity emphasizes and that which takes into account the Empire as a whole. Throughout Gibbons description of the reign and posterity of Constantine, he is able to show not just
Of course it is almost sacrilege to give only three stars to this masterpiece of historical writing. But, where I gave five stars to the first volume, I think this second volume doesnt quite measure up. Firstly there is an inordinate (in my personal view) amount of attention to Christianity, and as important the subject is, still those passages can get a bit tedious. Secondly, overall I found the narrative a bit less free-flowing as the first volume. This might have to do with the subject matter
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