History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Complete EditionHISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE: COMPLETE EDITION EDWARD GIBBON — An Historical Classic! — Complete Edition, Volumes 1 to 6, 1.5 Million Words — Includes a Supplementary Book: "The Way of the Cross" with Illustrations — Includes Illustrations by 18th Century artist, William Turner — Includes over 8,000 Active Linked Footnotes and NCX Quick Navigation — Includes an Active Index and Table of Contents to over 300 Chapters The literature of Europe offers no substitute for "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." It has obtained undisputed possession, as rightful occupant, of the vast period which it comprehends. The inherent interest of the subject, the inexhaustible labor employed upon it; the immense condensation of matter; the luminous arrangement; the general accuracy; the style, which, however monotonous from its uniform stateliness, and sometimes wearisome from its elaborate air., is throughout vigorous, animated, often picturesque always commands attention, always conveys its meaning with emphatic energy, describes with singular breadth and fidelity, and generalizes with unrivalled felicity of expression; all these high qualifications have secured its permanent place in historic literature. The gradual decline of the most extraordinary dominion which has ever invaded and oppressed the world; the fall of that immense empire, erected on the ruins of so many kingdoms, republics, and states both barbarous and civilized; and forming in its turn, by its dismemberment, a multitude of states, republics, and kingdoms; the annihilation of the religion of Greece and Rome; the birth and the progress of the two new religions which have shared the most beautiful regions of the earth; the decrepitude of the ancient world, the spectacle of its expiring glory and degenerate manners; the infancy of the modern world, the picture of its first progress, of the new direction given to the mind and character of man–such a subject must necessarily fix the attention and excite the interest of men, who cannot behold with indifference those memorable epochs, during which, in the fine language of Corneille– 'Un grand destin commence, un grand destin s'acheve.' PUBLISHER: CATHOLIC WAY PUBLISHING |