The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

by Edward Gibbon
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire cover
Good Books rating 4.42
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  • ID: 6659
  • Added: 2025-11-27
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
Fantastic Anachronism · 2021-04-28
engaging 4.00

Gibbon's work is noted for its love of spectacle and dramatic storytelling, comparing it to a crowded novel filled with rich details.

The reviewer at Fantastic Anachronism appreciates Gibbon's flair for the dramatic and picturesque, highlighting how the work reads like a novel filled with vivid details. They note that Gibbon's narrative is engaging and filled with a sense of spectacle, making the historical account feel alive and immersive. The review also touches on the scholarly depth of the work, acknowledging its significance in historical scholarship. They find the book to be a rich tapestry of events and characters, making it a compelling read for history enthusiasts.

Quick quotes

    Gibbon has a love for spectacle, for the picturesque and the dramatic.

    Borges compares the Decline and Fall to a 'crowded novel, whose'

    The work reads like a novel filled with vivid details, making the historical account feel alive and immersive.

The Guardian · 2017-09-04
awe-inspiring 4.50

Gibbon's history is an awe-inspiring narrative that spans the height of the Roman Empire to the fall of Byzantium. It is celebrated for its comprehensive and detailed account of the era.

The Guardian's review highlights Gibbon's monumental work as an object of awe, unfolding its narrative from the peak of the Roman Empire to the fall of Byzantium. The six volumes are praised for their depth and the author's ability to weave a compelling story from historical events. The review emphasizes the timeless relevance and the scholarly rigor of Gibbon's work, making it a cornerstone of historical literature. They appreciate the way Gibbon combines factual accuracy with engaging storytelling, creating a work that is both informative and captivating.

Quick quotes

    An object of awe, Gibbon's history unfolds its narrative from the height of the Roman empire to the fall of Byzantium.

    The six volumes are celebrated for their depth and the author's ability to weave a compelling story from historical events.

    Gibbon's work is a cornerstone of historical literature, combining factual accuracy with engaging storytelling.

Washington Independent Review of Books · 2014-01-09
enriching 4.75

Reading Gibbon's work is described as a pleasure that also enhances the reader's vocabulary and understanding of historical events.

The Washington Independent Review of Books praises Gibbon's work as not only a pleasure to read but also a means to expand one's vocabulary and historical knowledge. They highlight the wit and style with which Gibbon narrates the history of Europe from the second century AD to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The review emphasizes the educational value of the book, noting how it enriches the reader's understanding of the past. They appreciate the way Gibbon combines scholarly rigor with engaging prose, making the book both informative and enjoyable.

Quick quotes

    Reading Gibbon's great work is not only mainly a pleasure but it also hones the reader's vocabulary.

    Gibbon takes the reader through the history of Europe from the second century AD to the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

    The book combines scholarly rigor with engaging prose, making it both informative and enjoyable.

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